OH, IT [PALM SUNDAY] MATTERS

ZECH. 9:9, MT. 21:1-13                  

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WHAT’S THE MATTER? [Zech. 9:9]

 

1. It’s a Matter of Revelation [Isaiah 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. It’s a Matter of Record [Mt. 21:5]

 

3. It’s a Matter of Rejoicing [Zech. 9:9]

 

II. WHERE IT MATTERS [Zech. 9:9]

 

1. Israel is Not Forgotten [Zech. 12:10, 13:1, 4; 14:4]

 

2. Jerusalem is not Forsaken [Ps. 137: 5-6, Luke 13:34]

 

If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

 

3. The World is Not Forfeited [Zech. 9:9-10, 14:9]

 

III. WHY IT MATTERS

 

1. It is a Matter of Royalty [Mt. 21:5]

 

2. It is a Matter of Righteousness [Zech. 9:9, Romans 10:3-6, 10]

 

For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

3. It is a Matter of Redemption [Mt. 21:9-13]

 

Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 Repentance was Christ's plan of salvation. And when He gave the disciples the Great Commission, as reported in Luke, He said unto them, "That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among the nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47). It was just another way of stating His plan of salvation "among all nations." All who honestly repent-- that is all who turn, in the heart, from sin to God-- certainly trust in Christ. So repentance and faith are inseparable.

And Paul preached the same thing, namely that God "commandeth all men every where to repent" (Acts 17:30). It is silly, then, to say that repentance is only for Jews. Actually repentance means a change of mind, a heart's turning from sin toward God. And of course every person who was ever saved in the Old Testament or the New turned his heart from sin toward God, that is, he repented, as he trusted. - John R. Rice

I went into the Masonic lodge. I meant well. My father was active and a speaker in the Masonic lodge. Other good men said, "Brother Rice, you are going to be a preacher; and you will have more influence if you belong to the lodge." I thought that. They thought it was true. I went in. I found in it an old infidel, cussing, dirty-mouthed man whom I had rebuked on the streets for cursing in my presence and the presence of others. Yet, here he was helping my father give me the entered apprentice degree in a Masonic lodge! And I found I was taking oath to support these men in business instead of others who were not lodge members, support them when they ran for office instead of somebody else who wasn't a lodge member, and I should support him if he got arrested and put in jail, and if I were on the jury I was to try and uphold him. Good night! I didn't want that! I thought, that is not my place. That is not my crowd. So I got out. I never went back. I have great respect for many noble good men who mean well, but they still ought not be yoked up with unbelievers. - John R. Rice

Sure, I love born-again Christians where they are in the churches. I mean I am a brother to Southern Baptists or Methodists or Presbyterians or Pentecostals or to any man who loves the Lord Jesus and trusts in Him and believes the Bible and depends on the shed blood of Jesus. I am his brother. I am his friend. I want his love. But I don't want to call any man "brother" who says the Bible is full of mistakes, who says Adam was not a real person, as the Bible says-- that that story is just mythical and allegorical; who say God didn't create the earth like He said He did in six days but instead, says the earth has been here billions of years. I don't want any fellowship with him. That is infidelity. That is contrary to the Bible. Christians ought not put up with it. You are not to run with those people. Rather, you'd better say, "I am never going to give another dollar where it will get in the hands of anybody who is breaking down faith in the Bible." - John R. Rice

So Paul was inspired to use the same figure of speech in 1 Corinthians 12:13 when he said, "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body." In a figurative sense, when one is converted, he becomes a part of the mystical, unseen body of Christians who will be called out at the rapture and assemble in Heaven. So as a figure of speech, one may say that he is buried into that body, immersed in it, becoming a part of that body. The picture is the same used in 1 Peter 2:5 where Christians are said to be living stones, built into a wall, and the wall is a spiritual house for God. In that fanciful and beautiful figure of speech the word baptism or immersion is used. But actually, of course, that is not in a physical baptism. It is only in a figurative sense that a Christian is built into a wall and covered or buried in the wall of a house. It is all right to say we are baptized into the body of Christ, if you realize that it is only a figure of speech and not a literal, physical immersion of the believer into anything. - John R. Rice

Listen. You better get out and put your influence out-and-out for Christ and the Bible.

I don't mean to hate anybody. I am just against those who are not for Christ and the Bible. I am for everybody who is for Christ and the Bible. Christians ought to take sides and put your money where your mouth is. And it ought to be your mouth and your money both for Jesus and salvation. - John R. Rice

One pastor said to me when I was in a revival campaign, "You talk as if Satan were out after you all the time and opposing you! Satan never bothers me." I said to him, "If you twisted his tail as much as I do and got as many drunkards saved as I do, he would be against you."

The Devil is working against the Lord and against the salvation of souls and against out-and-out Christians. - John R. Rice

So it is with the Christian schools. Yale, Harvard, Brown, Princeton, Oberlin, Northwestern, University of Chicago-- all these schools were founded primarily for training preachers in the Christian religion. They are gone now. Yes, they grow rich and powerful and scholarly, so after awhile scholarship gets to be more important than the power of God, and they drift away. God then has to start some other schools. - John R. Rice

THE END OF THE BEGINNING II

LUKE 24:36-53, ACTS 1:1

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE BODY [v. 36-43]

 

1. More Than Before [v. 36-37, 1 Corinthians 15:44]

 

It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

 

2. Similar as Before [v. 38-40]

 

3. Better Than Before [v. 41-43]

 

“We can rebuild him. We have the technology. We can make him better than he was. Better...stronger...faster.”

 

II. THE BOOK [v. 44-48]

 

1. Prophesied [v. 44-45]

 

2. Powerful [v. 46-47, Rm. 1:16, 10:9-17]

 

3. Personal [v. 48]

 

III. THE BLESSING [v. 49-53]

 

1. The Authority of Christ [v. 49]

 

2. The Ascension of Christ [v. 50-51]

 

3. The Adoration of Christ [v. 52-53]

THE SELF-DESTRUCTION OF A SINFUL SAINT

1 SAMUEL 13

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE OUTWARD EXPRESSION

 

1. Took Credit He Didn’t Deserve [v. 1-4]

 

2. Took Liberties He Shouldn’t Demand [v. 5-9]

 

3. Refused Responsibility He Should Accept [v. 10-12]

 

II. THE INWARD EXPRESSION

 

1.  Foolishness [v. 13a, 26:21]

 

Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly .

 

2. Disobedience [v. 13b]

 

3.  Heart For Self [v. 14, Gal. 5:24, 6:14, Col. 3:15]

 

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

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

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

In the Christian’s heart there are two places- a cross and a throne- Christ is on one, self is on the other- [the decision is yours]

 

III. THE OUTWARD MANIFESTATION

 

1. Opportunity Lost [v.15, Proverbs 28:13]

 

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

 

2. Opposition Looms [v. 16-21]

 

3. Opportunities Limited [v. 22-23]

THE MASTER ON A MISSION

LUKE 9:51

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WHERE IS THE RECEPTION FOR THE MASTER? [v. 51-56]

 

1. Prejudice Prevented Reception – if you are going to “those people” we won’t receive you

 

2. Pride Prevented Reception- my will is better than God’s

 

3. Ignorance Prevented Reception- if Jesus didn’t go to Jerusalem and die, no-one could be saved

 

II. WHERE IS THE DEDICATION TO THE MASTER?  [v. 57-62]

 

1. Lack of Finery Prevented Dedication [v. 57-58]

 

2. Lack of Faith Prevented Dedication [v. 59-60] Note-Jesus had called this one

 

3. Lack of Focus Prevented Dedication [v. 61-62]

 

III. WHERE IS THE MASTER’S INDECISION?

 

1. Having a Cause Prevented Indecision [v. 51]

 

1 Samuel 17:29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

 

2. Having Correct Knowledge Prevented Indecision [v. 54-55]

- the example of Jesus

John 13:3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

John 18:4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

John 19:28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

-the example of Paul

2 Corinthians 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

-the example of Peter

2 Peter 1:14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

 

3. Having Compassion Prevented Indecision [v. 56, Jude 1:22]

 

And of some have compassion, making a difference:

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 Can a saved person ever be lost? That depends on who does the saving. If God does the saving, then of course if God fails, the salvation is lost. If God is faithful and does what He promises, then one who trusts in Him will not become lost. But if a man does his own saving by his good works, then when man quits working he is lost. And if he does "hold out faithful," if he does "endure to the end,"... and if he does "go through with God," then of course his salvation is by human works and not by God's unmerited grace.

But that is an absurdity, for Ephesians 2:8, 9 says:

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

The clearest doctrine in the Bible is that no man deserves salvation and that only God's grace, his unmerited favor, His mercy on Hell-deserving sinners, can keep any of us from eternal destruction. - John R. Rice

[Romans 4:5-8] Iniquities forgiven! Sins covered! Righteousness imputed to us without works!

The Lord Jesus was counted bad when He was good. Now, thank God, since He paid our debt for us, we who were bad may be counted good. And better still, He places in us His goodness, and His righteousness is imparted as well as imputed, and we will end up in His likeness! - John R. Rice

I heard the beloved Dr. H. A. Ironside, eighteen years pastor of Moody Church and now with the Lord, tell of a time when he played "bear" with one of his little boys. I smile as I think of the portly Dr. Ironside, as I knew him, with a big fur coat on and down on all fours galloping from room to room after his five year old boy! The little fellow screamed with excitement and delight until Dr. Ironside, the "bear," cornered the little fellow in the kitchen and snarled and growled. The little fellow's excitement became fear, then hysteria, and finally he cried out, "You're not any old bear! You wouldn't hurt me! I'm your own little boy!" and fell sobbing into his father's arms. Dr. Ironside said that he laid aside the fur coat, took the little one in his arms, walked to and fro and said, "Why, of course I wouldn't hurt you. I'm your own daddy. I love you. We were just playing. I'm not any old bear."

And Dr. Ironside said he remembered how once he felt that God was running after him, a poor, wicked sinner, with a sword of vengeance. the fear of judgement was upon him, and when he could find no way of escape, he turned and fell into God's arms and found that God did not hate him, but loved him! God did not want to condemn him but forgive him.

So, dear sinner, take your place as a sinner and walk into the open arms of Jesus for forgiveness. All your sins are paid for! - John R. Rice

We ought to read the whole rich story in Isaiah 53. How amazing that here is the Gospel of the atoning death of Jesus as clear as any New Testament book! I do not wonder that sometimes this has been called "The Gospel of Isaiah," and how it proves the Bible and proves the deity of the Lord Jesus, that all this should be so meticulously written down over seven hundred years before it came to pass- the story of the Saviour's love, His atoning death, His being made a sinner for us, and the fact that through His stripes we are healed, and that He would make intercession for us, the transgressors! - John R. Rice

Oh, the way to have peace is not striving for salvation, not in "holding out faithful," not in vainly trying to earn salvation. Oh, no. The way to enter into rest is to cease from all works as far as salvation is concerned and take the free gift of God. For this salvation is "not of works, lest any man should boast." One who sees he cannot earn salvation and lets Jesus Christ do all the saving and gives Him all the glory, has entered into this sweet rest when he ceases dependence upon his own works and merits and trusts wholly and simply in the price Jesus has already paid! - John R. Rice

Once men made great threats against me. I wondered what would happen if I didn't go along with the denomination and boost the program. So I went to the Bible and began to consult with the prophet Daniel. I said, "Daniel, what about it?"

And Daniel said, "John, these lions' dens are greatly overrated. They are not so bad." God can handle all the lions in the world. A wonderful thought, isn't it? - John R. Rice

You can see that it is a foolish and wicked scheme of the Devil to get people to disregard the Word of God. Any man who throws away part of the Bible is a kind of modernist and is not to be trusted. If one man has a right to disregard the command of Jesus Christ about baptism, other men have a right to disregard the teaching of Jesus on any other matter. As for me, I will have a whole Bible, inspired of God, all of it authoritative and reliable, or I will have no Bible at all. - John R. Rice

THE END OF THE BEGINNING

LUKE 24:1-35, ACTS 1:1

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE WOMEN [v. 1-8]

 

1. They Thought They Were Prepared [v. 1]

 

2. They Knew They Were Perplexed [v. 2-4a]

 

3. They Were Soon Preoccupied [v. 4b-8]

 

II. THE APOSTLES [v. 9-12]

 

1. Listened [v. 9-10]

 

2. Doubted [v. 11]

 

3. Hoped [v. 12]

 

III. THE LORD [v.13-15]

 

1. Unrecognized [v. 13-24]

 

2. Unrestrained [v. 25-26]

 

3. Undoubtable [v. 27-35]

HERE COMES TROUBLE

1 SAMUEL 11-12

 

 Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE PRICE OF PEACE

 

1. The Failure of Appeasement [11:1-2]

 

2. The Folly of Arrogance [11:3-4]

 

3. The Fire of Righteous Indignation [11:5-6]

 

II. THE PROPERNESS OF VICTORY

 

1.  The Rightness of Patriotism [11:7-8]

 

2. The Rightness of Planning [11:9-11]

 

3.  The Rightness of Providence [11:12-15]

 

III. THE PROGNOSIS OF SUCCESS

 

1. The Saintly Servant [12: 1-5]

 

2. The Serious Sermon [12:6-15]

 

3. The Signature Solution [12:16-25] (continual revival)

GLORY

1 CHRONICLES 16:1-7, 27

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. GLORY IN HIS HOLY NAME - We often glory is such shallow things- sports, celebrities, personal achievements, etc.

 

1. This Should Be on Our Lips [v. 8-10a]

 

2. This Should Be in Our Heart [v. 10-11]

 

3. This Should Be on Our Minds [v. 12-22]

 

II. DECLARE HIS GLORY

 

1. The Glory of His Salvation [v. 23-25]

 

2 The Glory of His Creation [v. 26]

 

3 The Glory of His Presence [v. 27]

 

III. GIVE HIM GLORY [John 15:8] Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

 

1. Give Self [v. 28-29, Rm. 12:1-2]

 

2. Give Submission [v. 30-33]

 

3. Give Thanks [v. 34-36]

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

I not talking against science. I am all for true science. I am for the facts, the truth, wherever found. I am just against infidel guesses in the name of science. I am against unbelief and wickedness in the name of science. I am against a so-called science which is based, not on fact, but on the opinion of wicked men. I am for the Bible doctrine of creation as against the theory of men about evolution without God and contrary to the Bible. - John R. Rice

So the heavens show orderly progress- a great God, a Creator who made things. You may ask, Is that proof of a Creator?" Certainly. A Ford car is proof of a Ford automobile factory. If there is a watch, that is proof of a watchmaker. If there is a man, that is proof of a Man-Maker. If there is a world, that is proof of a world Creator. It would be silly to suppose that everything happened without thought, without plan.

You think this earth came into being with a musical scale, with nobody planning it? And mathematical equations that are worked out in nature, and nobody planned it? And the solar system, and the galaxies held together by invisible bonds and set in paths through the sky, and nobody planned it? You are crazy! - John R. Rice

Then He said in the first chapter of John that Jesus is that Light that lighteth every man that cometh into this world. That doesn't mean that everybody has heard the Gospel, but by the Creator, Jesus, are all things made and without Him was not anything made that was made. So it turns out that some way, in the conscience and in the fear of death and in the sense of guilt and need, everywhere God has spoken to human hearts and so there is no excuse for people to go on without God. There are natural evidences, I say, that there is a Creator, a good God, a mighty God, and that He made man. - John R. Rice

Well, evolution or creation; which is it? Then that means that evolution is against the Bible and Christianity, and the two are not reconcilable. You say, "I know some people who believe in evolution and they are Christians." Well, they are not Christian in their doctrine. A man may be converted and be ignorant. A man may be converted and not learn Bible doctrine. A man may have trusted Jesus Christ and swallow things ignorantly. That is why a lot of false cults come in. But the plain truth is that doctrinally and basically the theory of evolution is against the Bible and against Christianity. They are contradictory. - John R. Rice

The ceremonial law differs from the moral law in that the ceremonial law is arbitrary, selected for some temporary and typical reason not in itself right or wrong, while the moral law is that which is essentially and necessarily right of itself. ...

However, the moral law is different and every heathen will be accountable to God for his sins. God has written it in the heart and conscience of men so that even heathen know it is wrong to murder, to lie, to steal, to commit adultery. Their conscience may be mistaught or seared or undeveloped, but God will judge those who never heard the law, by the law written in their hearts, as we are told in Romans 2:15. - John R. Rice

What does it mean to be born again, born of God? It means that the Holy Spirit of God actually comes into the body of one who trusts Christ and works a change, regenerates him, gives him a new heart, and makes him literally a new creature. He still has the old body, and the temptations that go with the old carnal nature, but he also has then a new nature, the nature of God. - John R. Rice

Can a saved person ever be lost? That depends on who does the saving. If God does the saving, then of course if God fails, the salvation is lost. If God is faithful and does what He promises, then one who trusts in Him will not become lost. But if a man does his own saving by his good works, then when man quits working he is lost. And if he does "hold out faithful," if he does "endure to the end,"... and if he does "go through with God," then of course his salvation is by human works and not by God's unmerited grace.

But that is an absurdity, for Ephesians 2:8, 9 says:

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

The clearest doctrine in the Bible is that no man deserves salvation and that only God's grace, his unmerited favor, His mercy on Hell-deserving sinners, can keep any of us from eternal destruction. - John R. Rice

GLIMPSES AT CALVARY II

LUKE 23:44-56

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. SIGNS FROM ABOVE

 

1. The Optimum Time [v. 44]

 

2. The Optimum Payment [v. 45a, 2 Peter 2:17]

 

These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

Jude 1:13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

 

3. The Only Way [v. 45b-46, Mk. 15:38, Heb. 10:18-23]

 

And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

 

II. REACTIONS FROM ONLOOKERS

 

1. Faith [v. 47, Matthew 27:54]

 

Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

 

2. Sorrow [v. 48, 2 Corinthians 7:10]

 

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

 

3. Horror [v. 49]

 

III. SECRET DISCIPLE REVEALED

 

1. His Belief [v. 50-51]

 

2. His Boldness [v. 52-53]

 

3. His Beholders [v. 54-56]

DID YOU SEE SAUL?

1 SAMUEL 9-10

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. SEE SAUL THE PRIVATE CITIZEN [9:1-21]

 

1. An Obedient Son [v. 1-4]

 

2. A Thoughtful Individual [v. 5-9]

 

3. A Humble Man [v. 10-21]

 

II. SEE SAUL THE UNKNOWN KING [9:22-10:5]

 

1.  Honored by Samuel [9:22-27]

 

2. Anointed by God for Service [10:1]

 

3.  Confirmed by the Word [10:2-5]

 

III. SEE SAUL THE REVEALED KING [10:9-27]

 

1. A New Person [v. 6, 9-13]

 

2. A New Priority [v. 7-8, 14-16]

 

3. A New People [v. 17-27]

THE DEVIL’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE

1 PETER 5:8

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

We often hear, and rightly so, that God has a will for your life. That is so true that no knowledgeable person would argue the point. For instance, if you are lost God’s will is for you to be saved, to become a Christian. 2 Peter 3:9 declares, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

By the same token, if you are a believer, He wants you to live for Him. “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.” {Rm. 12:1-2]

That being said, have you ever consider the Devil also has a will for your life. The Devil’s will is certainly NOT for your god nor is it for God’s glory. Let us search the scriptures and discover the Devil’s will for your life. It can be summed up in three words – Blindness, Bondage and Blandness.

 

I. BLINDNESS [2 Cor. 4:3-6]

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness , hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

 

1. Satan Hates the True Gospel [Gal. 1:6-9]

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

 

2. Satan Doesn’t Mind So-called Christian Religion [2 Cor. 11: 3-4, 13-15]

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

3. Satan Doesn’t Mind Idolatry [1 Cor. 10:20 referencing Lev. 17:7]

But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

 

4. Satan Doesn’t Even Mind Irreligion/atheism [Ps. 14:1, Mt. 7, Jn. 8]

Wise man builds on Jesus & His word, Satan is a liar and the Father of it.

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.

 

II. BONDAGE

 

1. In Hearing [Mt. 13:18-22]

Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

 

2. In Thinking [James 3:13-17]

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure , then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

 

3. In Being [Eph. 2:1-3ff]

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

 

III. BLANDNESS

1. Satan Wants You to Think Like Lost Men [Matthew 16:23]

But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

 

2. Satan Wants You to Stop Serving God [Luke 22:31]

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

 

3. Satan Wants to Hinder Your Ministry [1 Thessalonians 2:18]

Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

 Here is the reason that ceremonials laws can change and moral laws cannot. Moral law is intrinsically right of itself because its demands are part of the nature of God Himself.

In ceremonies, then, God can change His dealing with men. In fundamental things having to do with the nature of God, God cannot change His way of dealing with men. As long as He is a God of love, He must love people. As long as He is the Truth and the Light, then He cannot lie. As long as God is a holy God, He cannot sin. As long as He is a God of mercy, He must forgive the penitent sinner. As long as He calls Himself, "O thou that hearest prayer," then he must hear prayer the same. In the matter of hearing praying He is the God of all flesh and nothing is too hard for God. This is fundamental, unchangeable, a part of the nature of God. - John R. Rice

The matter of evolution versus the Bible must be settled by the heart and not primarily by the head. The doctrine came from unbelief. Scientists now who promote evolution are determined not to believe in direct creation, although they cannot prove evolution. They keep hoping to originate life by spontaneous generation, but they never have. They keep hoping to find missing links to prove that man came from apes or other animal creation, but they have never been able to do it. Again and again they have falsified the evidences, doctored the fossils, told us that which is only unproven theory, because they do not want to believe in direct creation by a God to whom they must give an account. So evolution is not primarily the result of learning, it is primarily the result of unbelief. Men want the natural instead of the supernatural. - John R. Rice

A characteristic of this period, this New Testament age, is, "There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts." Scoffers. Infidelity does not come from knowledge, but from the heart. It does not come from education, but from sin of wicked people who are against God. Infidels are not infidels because they found the Bible isn't true. They are not that way because they found there is no God to hear, to forgive, to help and answer prayer. No, they are that way because they have wicked, rebellious hearts. - John R. Rice

Many people suppose that Jesus did set up His kingdom when He was here on earth, that is, the promised restoration of the kingdom of David. The ignore some Scriptures and explain away others in trying to prove their point. Such people say that the promises in the Old Testament given to Jerusalem, Zion, and Israel, must not be taken literally. They make all these promises refer to "the church." But that is a very great mistake. mount Zion is the hill upon which Jerusalem is built. Zion, Jerusalem and Israel never mean the church. The promised kingdom is not the church. Do not explain away the Bible, but take it at face value. God's Word says what it means and means what it says! And it plainly says that Christ will have a kingdom on this earth. That kingdom has not been set up. - John R. Rice

Now literal baptism, that is, baptism in water, is not the same as regeneration. The significance of baptism is clearly pictorial and declarative. Baptism does not save but it announces salvation. It does not procure salvation but it professes it. Baptism in water does not put a Christian into the body of Christ but it witnesses to the world that that great event has already happened. We do not bury men to kill them but the burial should follow; and it should be clearly evident that they are already dead. One who has not been made dead to sin and alive to Christ by the new birth should not be baptized, but baptizing should declare that great transaction to the world as soon as possible. Baptism in water is used as an outward rite, sealing the union of a convert to assemblies of Christians here on earth, and that is proper. It is a beautiful symbol that already the new convert has been added to the body of Christ and made one with other saints by the Holy Spirit. There is a blessed unity between literal baptism and the figurative use in I Corinthians 12:13. - John R. Rice

Can Christians make good soldiers? Or to put it the other way around, Can a soldier in war be a good Christian? That answer is that he certainly can if his heart is right with God and if he is in obedience to his government in a good cause. John R. Rice

There is no doubt that war is an awful, wicked business. Surely God must hate it. General Sherman said, "War is Hell." All good men must hate war. Charles Spurgeon said, "I delight to see a soldier become a Christian. I greatly regret to see a Christian become a soldier." The bloodshed, the hate, the suffering, the breaking down of morals, and the destruction of property and social values in war is terrible.

But there are some things that are worse than wars. In God's sight, sin is always worse than bloodshed. Many thousands of the best men this world has ever seen have resolved that it is better to go to war than to be slaves; that it is better to die than to lose freedom. In the words of Patrick Henry, they said, "Give me liberty or give me death!" War is not necessarily the worst thing in the world. There are times when nations ought to fight. There are times when Christian men ought to go to the army, shoulder arms, obey orders, and if need be, die for their country. - John R. Rice

Here is the reason that ceremonials laws can change and moral laws cannot. Moral law is intrinsically right of itself because its demands are part of the nature of God Himself.

In ceremonies, then, God can change His dealing with men. In fundamental things having to do with the nature of God, God cannot change His way of dealing with men. As long as He is a God of love, He must love people. As long as He is the Truth and the Light, then He cannot lie. As long as God is a holy God, He cannot sin. As long as He is a God of mercy, He must forgive the penitent sinner. As long as He calls Himself, "O thou that hearest prayer," then he must hear prayer the same. In the matter of hearing praying He is the God of all flesh and nothing is too hard for God. This is fundamental, unchangeable, a part of the nature of God. - John R. Rice

GLIMPSES AT CALVARY

LUKE 23:26-43

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. BEFORE THE CRUCIFIXION

 

1. The Cyrenian’s Burden [v. 26]

 

2. The Followers’ Sorrow [v. 27]

 

3. The Saviour’s Warning [v. 28-31]

 

II. THE CRUCIFIXION

 

1. The Scripture’s Fulfillment [v. 32-33, Isaiah 53:9]

 

And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

 

2. The Saviour’s Prayer [v. 34]

 

3. The Sinners’ Arrogance [v. 35-39]

 

III. THE REASON

 

1. The Sinner’s Confession [v. 40-41a]

 

2. The Sinner’s Profession [v. 41b-42]

 

3. The Sinner’s Possession [v. 43]

WHAT IS WRONG WITH US?

1 SAMUEL 8

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. GOD KNOWS OUR WEAKNESS [v. 1-10]

 

1. Samuel’s Failure as a Father [v. 1-3, Eph. 6:1-4]

 

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

 

2. Samuel Missed the Big Picture [v. 4-8, Pr. 3:5-7]

 

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

 

3. Samuel Preached the Hard Truth [v. 9-10, Ezekiel 3:17]

 

Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

 

II. GOD GIVES WARNINGS [v. 11-18]

 

1. Conscription [v. 11-13]

 

2. Confiscation [v. 14-17]

 

3. Complication [v. 18]

 

III. GOD WATCHES [v. 19-22]

 

1. God Sees When We Choose Our Will Over His Will [v. 19, Pr. 3:5-7]

 

2. God Sees When We Reject His Purpose for Our Lives [v. 20, 1 Peter 2:9]

 

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

 

3. God Allows Them to Have What They Want Knowing It is Not What They Need [v. 21-22, Psalm 106:15, Gal. 6:7-9]

 

And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

WHAT DO CHRISTIANS HAVE?

ACTS 3:1-9 “Silver and gold have I none” v. 6

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WE HAVE PRAYER [v.1]

 

1. Peace Instead of Worry [Phil. 4:6-7]

 

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

2. Provision Instead of Want [Ps. 23:1, Phil. 4:13, 19]

 

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

3. Proofs Instead of Wishes [Acts 1:1-3, John 7:17]

 

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

 

II. WE HAVE PROMISES – Hundreds, but to name 3:

 

1. We Have the Promise of His Propitiation [1 Jn. 2:1-2]

 

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

 

2. We Have the Promise of His Presence [Mt. 28:20, Heb. 13:5-6]

 

Lo, I am with you alway , even unto the end of the world. Amen.

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.

 

3. We Have the Promise of His Power [Acts 1:7-8]

 

III. WE HAVE PROSPECTS

 

1. We Have the Prospect of Heaven [Jn. 14:1-2]

 

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

 

2. We Have the Prospect of His Coming Again [Jn. 14:3]

 

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

 

3. We Have the Prospect of His Peace [Jn. 14:1, 27]

 

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 Stonewall Jackson was a devout Christian, greatly loved and respected.

Robert E. Lee was one of the greatest Christian gentlemen that America has ever produced, without a flaw in his character. In his case there was no matter of hate or animosity, but of generous love and daily prayer as he tried to do what seemed to him right. General Lee said, "I have fought against the people of the North because I believe they were trying to wrest from the South dearest rights. But I have never cherished toward them bitter or vindictive feelings, and have never seen the day when I did not pray for them." - John R. Rice

When I was in the army in 1918, I remember how sweet to my soul were the promises of the ninety-first Psalm. I put myself to dwell "under the shadow of the Almighty." I said of the Lord, "He is my Refuge and my Fortress." He covered me with His feathers, and under His wings I trusted and was not afraid. God gave me peace. Then in a strange way, giving me a case of the mumps and sending me to a base hospital, He made me miss the boat to France and I never got overseas. That was not the way I would have chosen. I wanted to go, but God cared for His own. Any Christian who is in the will of God can have sweet peace anywhere and perfect protection. A Christian soldier in the front-line trenches is as safe as he would be at home, if he is in the will of God and trusting. He might die at home, he might die in the battle, but he will not die in either place except it be in God's will, and he can rest assured in that and have sweet peace. - John R. Rice

The Bible says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." So only smart people are going to take God's Word and stand by God's standard. A man is a fool to go against God and think he is smarter than God or that he can ignore what God says. - John R. Rice

And now, preachers who do not believe the Bible pretend to lead in spiritual things! Those who deny all the essentials of the historic Christian faith are made bishops and go to the biggest pulpits and are officers of the National Council of Churches! Now those who trample on the blood of Christ and spit on the Bible are called Christians! But people who compromise and have small convictions about the Christian religion cannot be trusted to have much convictions about Americanism. Those who are not enemies of sin and Satan and unbelief will not be much enemies of communism and socialism. The drift of America away from God is primarily a religious problem. - John R. Rice

Lawlessness begins in the home. Child delinquency begins in the home. Where children are taught to respect and honor and obey the authority of the father and mother, they do not turn out to be criminals.

In homes where children learn the Ten Commandments, learn the moral code of the Bible, learn to pray and sing gospel songs at a family altar, that home does not produce drunkards, adulterers, profane swearers and infidels! - John R. Rice

I believe that the continually enlarged national debts in America are wrong and dangerous. I believe that the creeping socialism should alarm Christian people everywhere. I believe the encroachment of the central government on the rights of the states, and the effort of the President and the Supreme Court to control the schools, to change the law by court interpretation, to dictate to state legislatures, ought to attract the attention and challenge the best efforts of Christian Americans to correct these dangers and evils. The continual enlargement of our welfare rolls, the encouragement of people to be free-loaders, to believe that the government and the world owes them a living, is wrong. I believe good Christians ought to teach their children better than that and they ought to teach our politicians better, too. - John R. Rice

Talk to me no more of "the river of chilly waters!" You cannot frighten me by speaking of "that grim reaper, Death!" Death is not "the king of terrors" any more. I can say with David, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me." And if I die at home or abroad, in poverty or riches, whether famous or infamous, I know that the angels of God will take my spirit at death and carry me straight to Jesus and the Father! I can sing without fear, with the saints of old,

Oh, come angel band,

Come and around me stand.

Oh, bear me away on your snowy wings

To my immortal home.

Praise God for His angels! - John R. Rice

Here is the reason that ceremonials laws can change and moral laws cannot. Moral law is intrinsically right of itself because its demands are part of the nature of God Himself.

In ceremonies, then, God can change His dealing with men. In fundamental things having to do with the nature of God, God cannot change His way of dealing with men. As long as He is a God of love, He must love people. As long as He is the Truth and the Light, then He cannot lie. As long as God is a holy God, He cannot sin. As long as He is a God of mercy, He must forgive the penitent sinner. As long as He calls Himself, "O thou that hearest prayer," then he must hear prayer the same. In the matter of hearing praying He is the God of all flesh and nothing is too hard for God. This is fundamental, unchangeable, a part of the nature of God. - John R. Rice

The matter of evolution versus the Bible must be settled by the heart and not primarily by the head. The doctrine came from unbelief. Scientists now who promote evolution are determined not to believe in direct creation, although they cannot prove evolution. They keep hoping to originate life by spontaneous generation, but they never have. They keep hoping to find missing links to prove that man came from apes or other animal creation, but they have never been able to do it. Again and again they have falsified the evidences, doctored the fossils, told us that which is only unproven theory, because they do not want to believe in direct creation by a God to whom they must give an account. So evolution is not primarily the result of learning, it is primarily the result of unbelief. Men want the natural instead of the supernatural. - John R. Rice

THREE ON TRIAL

LUKE 22:63-23:25

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE TRIAL OF RELIGION

Religions are human-made whilst Bible Christianity is Divine in origin.

 

1. Violence without Cause [22:63-65]

2. Blindness without Excuse [22:66-71]

3. Dishonesty without Question [23:1-2]

 

II. THE TRIAL OF GOVERNMENT [Rm. 13:1-4, Luke 23:3-25]

The 2-fold duty of government is to praise the good and punish the evil.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God : the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

 

1. Political Expediency

2. Failure to Protect the Innocent

3. Failure to Punish the Evil

 

III. THE TRIAL OF JESUS

Most trials concern what has been done but Jesus was put on trial for who He was. Note the only questions Jesus was asked in His various trials.

 

1. Art Thou the Christ? [22:67-69]

2. Art Thou the Son of God? [22:70]

3. Art Thou the King of the Jews? [23:3]