ARE YOU TALKING TO YOURSELF?

EPH. 5:19

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Someone has said, “Of course I talk to myself. Sometimes I need expert advice.” And while that is humorous, talking to ourselves can be serious business. There are those times when we need to have a little talk with ourselves. Some Bible characters did just that as we shall see.

 

I. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY TO YOURSELF IN THE HOUR OF SUFFERING [Job 5:7]

Eliphaz the Temanite noted “Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.”

 

1. Have the Right Attitude [Psalm 77:6, Phil. 4:11-13]

- I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.

-Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Wrong things to say - “why me?” “I quit” “I guess I’m just out of God’s will”

 

2. Have the Right Aptitude [1 Samuel 30:6, Romans 8:28]

-David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

-And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Right things to say - “Lord what do you have in this for me?”

 

3. Have the Right Altitude [Ph. 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.

“God give me grace” “not my will but thine”                                     God gives Promises NOT Explanations!

 

II. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY TO YOURSELF IN THE HOUR OF SUCCESS

 

1. The Wrong Thing to Say [Daniel 4:28-33]

2. The Right Thing to Say [ [Daniel 4:34-37]

3. The Right Way to Be [Psalm 77:6]

I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.

Genesis 37-50 – Joseph in the OT- his response was the same in the pit, in the prison, in the palace –his character didn’t change, his faith didn’t falter, his witness didn’t dim. We need to keep our priorities straight. Some quit tithing when they begin to make more money, some quit tithing if they begin to make less money, some just right down the line.                                                                        Never question Biblical principles!

 

III. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY TO YOURSELF IN THE HOUR OF DECISION

 

1. Salvation [Rom. 10:9-13]

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

2. Sin [Genesis 39:7-9]

And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

 

3. Sanctification & Service [Joshua 24:15, 1 Peter 3:15, Nehemiah 5:7]

-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.

-But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

-Then I consulted with myself.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 If someone charges that such preaching is old-fashioned, we gladly admit it. I have delivered only what I have received. If any be blessed through the messages, then the credit properly belongs to the Christ who shed the blood, to the God who gave the Book, and to the Holy Spirit who moves upon the hearts of men. - John R. Rice [What Must I Do to Be Saved?, pg. 7-8]

Jesus said, "And other sheep I have , which are not of this fold: them also must I bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd" (John 10:16). I say, "Lord Jesus, I am anxious to see those other sheep in Your fold. They are my brothers and sisters."

So whether they are black in skin, or yellow, or brown, or white--those who are born-again children are the children on my Father. And when I come to say, "My Father," I am acknowledging that I am part of a whole group of Christians whom I ought to love and count in the family. - John R. Rice [Great Lessons from the Sermon on the Mount, pg. 11]

"And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you." [1 Th. 5:12]

You ought to "know" those who labor among you and over you and admonish you in the Lord. The Lord says on this matter in Hebrews 13:7, "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation." Then verse 17, "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." - John R. Rice [Comments on 1st Thessalonians, pg. 28]

Those who try to pry out signs of Christ's coming, whether they adduce their signs from falling meteors as did the Millerites, or from some manipulation of the figures in the book of Daniel, as have Seventh-Day Adventists and others sometimes, or from measurements of the Great Pyramid as have the British Israelites, or from wars, apostasy, and sin, are all mistaken. Jesus Christ plainly taught us that no one is to know the day nor the hour. People who look for such signs violate the plain intent of Deuteronomy 29:29. "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law." - John R. Rice [Matthew, pg. 392]

Little children cannot understand all the table talk of their elders, yet in enlightened homes children learn to sit nicely at the table, learn to eat quietly, and to be cheerful and happy in the fellowship of older people without disturbing the happiness of the family or embarrassing guests. Certainly the same principle obtains in the matter of public worship. Do not wait until the child understands all about theology, or can understand the discourse of the pastor before you take him to church. - John R. Rice [The Home, pg. 312]

Hell will certainly be hotter for some than for others. God always does right. We may be certain that a man who rejects Christ fifty years and with great enlightenment still resists God, will be punished more than a younger person. We may be certain that one who is reared in this enlightened land and hears the gospel all his life and then dies without Christ will find hell more terrible than a heathen savage who had only the enlightenment of the law written in his heart, that is, his conscience, and the evidence of nature around him that there is a God. Hell is the result of men's sins. Greater sin makes a more terrible hell for the sinner. - John R. Rice [What Must I Do to Be Saved?, pg. 89]

My last word is this: Don't you see that Pharaoh hardened his own heart? He hardened his heart about God, about the cries of little children, about poor, weeping mothers whom he had bereaved and torn their little ones from their arms. As the hard thud of whips fell on the backs of those he had enslaved, he hardened his heart toward their pain. God said, "All right, you like a hard heart. I will harden your heart Myself and let you be stubborn until I lead you out into the middle of the Red Sea, and then I will turn the water loose on you and I will show you." And God did. You had better not harden your heart. You had better listen to God tonight. You wise guys like Pharaoh, who will not listen to God-if He sends any trouble to you and pleads with you in mercy and goodness and kindness, He is giving you a chance. Are you ignoring it? You wise guys like Pharaoh, remember Proverbs 29:1 : "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." - John R. Rice, The Scarlet Sin, pg. 88-89]

DOES JESUS CARE?

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

In 1901 Frank Graeff (lyrics) and Joseph Hall {music) published the song Does Jesus Care? And it has been a blessing to untold numbers of people since that time. The first verse asks:

 

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained

Too deeply for mirth or song,

As the burdens press, and the cares distress,

And the way grows weary and long?

 

I. JESUS CARES ABOUT OUR PHYSICAL INFIRMITIES [Mk. 1:39-45]

 

1. The Leper Realized it was NOT a Question of Ability [v. 39-40]

 

2. The Lord Responded with Compassion [v. 41]

 

3. The Lord Ruled Compassion Overrides Convenience [v. 42-45]

 

II. JESUS CARES ABOUT OUR SPIRITUAL IGNORANCE [Mk. 6:30-45]

 

1.  The Compassion of Christ Motivated Him [v. 30-34a, 2 Corinthians 5:14]

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

2. The Compassion of Christ Moved Him to Teach Truth [v. 34b-35, Ephesians 4:15]

-But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

 

3.  The Compassion of Christ Manifested Orderliness [v. 36-46, 1 Cor. 14:40]

Let all things be done decently and in order.

 

III. JESUS CARES ABOUT OUR FUTURE NEEDS [Mk. 8:1-21]

 

1. Christ has Compassion on Our Future Needs [v. 1-9]

 

2. Christ has Contempt for Hypocrisy [v. 10-13]

 

3. Christ has Concern for Our Dullness [v. 14-21, Ephesians 5:17]

-Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

 

Does Jesus Care? The refrain (chorus) of the song says:

Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my Savior cares.

 

The simple answer is in another line from a song says, “Jesus loves me this I know-for the Bible tells me so!”

RECIPE FOR CONTENTMENT

1 Tm. 6:2b-12

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Going through my papers I came across a 5 by 8 card with the word “Contentment” written across the top in my Grandfather Loudon’s handwriting. Underneath that was written 3 points- the 3 major points of our message tonight. Granddad was an early encourager in my faith when some other family members were against it.

 

I. Contentment is Based on “Realizing God has given everything I Need for my present happiness.”

 

1. The Bible Sets the Standard for Self-Esteem [1 Tm. 6:2b-6]

 

2. The Bible Sets the Standard for Physical Need [1 Tm. 6:6-10]

 

3. The Bible Sets the Standard for Spiritual Need [1 Tm. 6:9-14]

 

II. Contentment Realizes “If I’m not satisfied with what I have, I probably would not be satisfied with what I want.”

 

1.  The Forever Unsatisfied [Proverbs 27:20, Eccles. 5:10]

- Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

- He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

 

2. The Present Satisfaction [Psalm 65:1-4, Matthew 10:23-26, Romans 5:1]

- Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed. O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away. Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.

- But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

- THEREFORE being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

 

3.  The Future Satisfaction [Psalm 17:15, 1 John 3:2]

- As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

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

 

“Learn to be satisfied with whatever state you’re in” [Philippians 4:11]

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

 

III. Contentment is “Knowing the more I release earthly possessions the more I can appreciate what is inside -that is important.”

 

1. The Perception of Contentment [2 Cor. 4:18]

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

 

2. The Philosophy of Contentment [Mt. 6:25]

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

 

3. The Person of Contentment [Mt. 6:26-34]

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

NO CHRIST OR KNOW CHRIST

GALATIANS 5:1-4

Philippians 3:10 That I may KNOW HIM, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

 Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. NO CHRIST, NO REAL ANSWERS

 

1. Christ is the Answer to the Question of Salvation [Acts 16:30-31, 4:12, 1 Cor. 15:14]

- And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

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

- And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

 

2. Christ is the Answer to the Question of the Usefulness of Life [John 15:1-5, Matthew 10:39]

-I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

- He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

 

3. Christ is the Answer to the Question of the Future [Acts 1:7-8, Philippians 1:21-24]

- And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

- For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you

 

II. NO CHRIST, NO REAL PEACE

 

1.  You Must Know Him [2 Tm. 1:12, Philippians 3:8-10]

- For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

- Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

 

2. You Must Walk with Him [Amos 3:3, 1 Jn. 1:6-7]

- Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

- 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.

 

3.  You Must Look to Him [Hebrews 12:2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith

-Look to the Sympathetic Jesus [Heb.  4:15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

-Look to the Sorrowing Jesus [Is. 53:3] He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

-Look to the Severe Jesus [Mt. 23] “Woe unto you” AT LEAST 8 TIMES

-Look to the Singing Jesus [Mt. 26:30] And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

-Look to the Suffering Jesus [1 Pt 2:21-25] For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

 

III. NO CHRIST, NO REAL POWER [Mt. 28:18, Acts 1:8] Why do Christians lack Christ’s power?

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

-But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me

 

1. Stubbornness- a lack of submission [Romans 6:11, 1 Corinthians 15:31]

- Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

- I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

 

2. Ignorance- a lack of study [2 Timothy 2:15]

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

 

3. Weakness- a lack of the Spirit’s fullness [Eph. 5:18] And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 The home is the best place in the world to teach the Bible. THAT IS WHERE GOD PUTS THE RESPONSIBILITY. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says, "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." Note the divine language says, "Thy children." The teaching is to be done "when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." That is a clear picture of parents teaching the Word of God to their children in the home. And it is a picture of such diligent, earnest, line-upon-line, precept-upon-precept teaching, woven through all the fabric of home life, as could not be adequately done anywhere else but in the home. - John R. Rice [The Home, pg. 264-254]

All Satan's apples have worms. - John R. Rice "The Woman Thou Gavest Me", pg. 11]

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

"But, Brother Rice, I saw in a poll in a magazine that about half the women said they were sorry now, and if they had to do it over, they wouldn't have any children." To turn out the kind of brats like they would raise, I wouldn't want them either. But you don't have to raise that kind. You can discipline them. There has never been a time at our house when we were so glad for school to start to get our girls from under foot. We never did wish for summer so our kids could go off to camp somewhere and get away. No sir. I wished then, as I do now, that I could keep all six around me all the time. The truth is, they make me happy. They love the Lord. They win souls. They sing Gospel songs. They all married Christian men who are in full-time Christian service. - John R. Rice

In some wonderful sense the relationship of a husband and wife is a symbol and picture of our relationship to Christ. "Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ , so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing." A wife saves herself for her husband and a Christian should say, "The Devil cannot have my body. I am not a servant of sin. I am not going to defile this, the sweet temple of God. He lives here." We ought to remember that our bodies are the temples of God, and should keep them holy for Him. - John R. Rice [Our Loving Friend THE HOLY SPIRIT, pg. 7]

Judgment is coming!

It comes, Brother, and you will face it. Your knees that won't bow to pray now, will bow then. Every knee is going to bow and that tongue of yours that won't call on God, that will not talk for Him- then God will have a way of making you talk. You will admit then that you are a sinner. You will admit that Christ is Lord, the Son of God. There will be no modernists then. No, sir.

But, my friends, let me remind you of this: You are going to face that and you are lost! Lost! LOST! You are a lost sinner if you haven't been born again; you are lost and facing judgment. - John R. Rice [Preaching that Built a Great Church, pg. 558]

SUNDAY IS NOT THE SABBATH. THE BIBLE NEVER ONCE SPEAKS OF IT AS A SABBATH. THE BIBLE DOES NOT COMMAND CHRISTIANS TO KEEP SUNDAY AS A SABBATH. IN FACT, THE NEW TESTAMENT DOES NOT COMMAND CHRISTIANS TO KEEP ANY SABBATH WHATSOEVER! THE SABBATH WAS FOR JEWS UNDER CEREMONIAL LAW AND FOR NO ONE ELSE, IT WAS A SPECIAL COVENANT AND SIGN BETWEEN GOD AND THE JEWS. - John R. Rice [Great Controversial Subjects Settled from the Bible, pg. 244] emphasis was Dr. Rice's

PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM

PSALM 122:6

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. PRAY

 

1. Prayer is Something We Can Do [Luke 18:1]

Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.

 

2. Prayer is Something that Can Work Effectually [James 5:16]

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

 

3. Prayer is Something We are Commanded to Do [1 Thessalonians 5:17, 1 Timothy 2:8]

-Pray without ceasing.

-I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

 

II. PRAY FOR THE PEACE

 

1. Christ is the Peace [Romans 5:1, Phil. 4:7]

-Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

-And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

2. Christ is Coming [Isaiah 9:6-7]

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

 

3. Christ Will Bring True Peace [Ezekiel 37:21-28]

 

III. PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM

 

1. This Unifies those Praying with Each Other [Matthew 18:19-20, Acts 1:14,  12:5. 2 Corinthians 1:11]

-Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

-These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

-Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

- Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

 

2. This Unifies those Praying with the Will of God [Luke 11:2]

And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

 

3. This Unifies those Praying with God Himself [1 John 1:5-10, 5:14-15]

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.

-And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

NOT ALL WORK IS THE SAME

LUKE 8:26-40

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE DEVIL’S DIRTY WORK

1. The Hopeless Appearance of the Damned [v. 26-27]

2. The Hateful Attitude of the Damned [v. 28-29a]

3. The Harmful Activity of the Damned [v. 29, Mk. 5:5]

And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

 

II. THE SAVIOUR’S SUFFICIENT WORK

1.  Destroy the Works of the Devil [v. 30-34, 1 John 3:8]

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

2. Deliver the Captives of the Devil [v. 35-36, 4:18]

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

3.  Commission the Children of God [v. 38-39]

III. THE CHRISTIAN’S CAREFUL WORK

 

1. Reflect the Saviour [v. 35, Philippians 2:5, 1 Peter 2:21

-Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

- For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

 

2. Reverence the Saviour [v. 35-38, Hebrews 12:28]

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

 

3. Represent the Saviour [v. 38b-39, 36-37, Mk. 7:31, 37, 2 Corinthians 5:17]

- And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.

-And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

- Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

CARELESS LIVING

JUDGES 18:1-2, 7-9, 27-28

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Many accidents are caused by careless living. People are in Hell today because of careless living. Careless living sometimes has minor consequences and sometimes major consequences. Consider these truths.

 

I. LIVING WITHOUT CONTRAINTS IS CARELESS [Judges 18:7]

 

1. They Live in a Fantasy of Safety [1 Th. 5:1-3]

BUT of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

 

2. They Live in a Foolishness of “Freedom from Rules” [Rev. 20:11-13]

 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

 

3. They Live on an Island of Foolishness [Psalms 53:1]

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

II. LIVING WITHOUT CONVICTIONS IS CARELESS –

 

The person without convictions fails to see the importance of:

 

1.  The Incarnate Word of God [Mt. 22:41-45]

While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?

 

2. The Written Word of God [2 Timothy 2:15, 3:15-17]

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

-All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

 

3.  The Assembled Worship of God [Heb. 10:25, 1 Timothy 3:15]

- Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

- But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

III. LIVING WITHOUT GOALS IS CARELESS

 

1. The Person Without Goals Accomplishes Little [Mt. 6:33, 1 Cor. 10:13]             “Blessed is he that aims at nothing for he will hit it.”

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

- whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

 

2. The Person Without Goals Displeases the Saviour [Phil 3:14, 2 Timothy 2:4]

- I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

-No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

 

3. The Person Without Goals Doesn’t Know When He is Finished [2 Tm. 4:6-8]

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 When any other writing is put equal with the Bible, the Bible is discredited. This is the sin of Catholics with their teaching about the church and its authority, of Mormons or Latter-day Saints in heeding the Book of Mormon, of Seventh-Day Adventists who believe the writings of Mrs. White inspired, of Christian Science, falsely so-called, in relying on the writings of Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy, etc. In every case where one accepts any other authority as equal with the Bible, the Bible is discredited. - John R. Rice [Matthew, pg. 223]

A nice Lutheran woman up in Wisconsin wanted to get saved. At her church nobody got saved. What would she do? She thought, if I go to the Holy Land, maybe I could get saved over there.

And a Catholic woman who takes THE SWORD OF THE LORD said, "You ought to go with Brother John Rice. He takes a crowd every year, a very V.I.P. crowd, to go to the Holy Land."

So this Lutheran sent in her reservation. I didn't know then the hungry heart of this woman. She went with us to the Holy Land. And in Jerusalem at a gospel service where Rev. Ron English preached, this woman came forward to trust the Lord at the invitation. How happy she was! She talked to me later and said, "Jesus said, 'Seek and ye shall find.' I sought and I found!"

Isn't that strange? God can use a Lutheran woman in a far-off state and a Catholic friend to get her to go on my tour to the Holy Land; she goes all the way over to Jerusalem to get saved!

The Lord is in the business of saving people and He will do anything that anybody will help Him do to get somebody saved. - John R. Rice [Some Amazing Bible Conversions, pg. 13]

But how will I know that He has received me?" someone asks. Why, poor foolish man or woman, can you not believe what Jesus said? Do you want any further evidence than the solemn promise of the Son of God? You who will take the word of men about promises to pay, you who honor the signature of men on a check, you who will believe a printed guarantee of a company - are you unwilling to risk the plain promise of the Son of God Himself, written down here in the Bible? - John R. Rice [Soul-Saving Sermons for Sinners, pg. 202-203]

Don't sell out to sin. I would hate it, avoid it, run from it. Is there a man here tonight who thinks, "What difference do a few drinks make?" My friend, it may mean the difference in ruin and success for your boy. A few drinks may mean the once happy home shattered and one day shame and disgrace and broken hearts. It may mean the difference between freedom and prison for something you will do when you are drinking and do not know anything about it. It means the difference between the wrath of God and His mercy. Don't sell out to sin.

But you think it is so cheap. You don't know all you buy when you sell out to the Devil. You buy trouble and certain judgment and punishment. Don't do it! - John R. Rice [Preaching that Built a Great Church, pg. 509]

I think it is a great mistake to make a big dispensational matter out of Pentecost. In the first place, that is not the time when the Holy Spirit came into the body of Christians to dwell. That happened the day Jesus arose from the dead, according to John 20:19-22, when Jesus breathed on the disciples and said, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost," and they did then surely receive the Holy Spirit in their bodies. Thar didn't happen at Pentecost. Pentecost was simply a time when the disciples, after waiting, were "endued with power from on high." And we have played down the Scriptures by making an artificial meaning there which the Bible does not give, so I understand. - John R. Rice [Great Controversial Subjects Settled from the Bible, pg. 134-135]

Nobody knows when Jesus is coming. Don't listen to those who say, "I know by some signs that we are in the last days and that Jesus is coming soon."

A foolish man said the other day, "In 1984 [this was published in 1980] Jesus has to set up His kingdom." That is not found in the Bible. People have silly ways of reading in something as if it were spiritual truth, something they figured out.

- John R. Rice [Comments on 1st Thessalonians, pg. 25]

Modernists say they do not believe in Christ's deity because of lack of scientific evidence. They lie. There is overwhelming evidence for every humble and contrite heart that Jesus is all He claimed to be - God, Creator in human form; evidence that the Bible is all Jesus said it is - the infallible Word of God. It is not lack of evidence that makes unbelief, but willfully sinful, biased hearts that are resolutely closed against Christ. - John R. Rice [Matthew, pg. 236]

No part of the Bible really contradicts any other part. There are no mistakes in the Word of God. If there seems to be, then the seeming so is only because of our ignorance or unbelief. In so many incidents in these thousands of years the Word of God has so proved itself infallibly correct that it would be folly now to have a doubt because in some few cases our ignorance leaves us in the dark. - John R. Rice [Matthew, pg. 314-315]

FRIENDS OF FAITH 5 – WHEN FRIENDS COLLIDE

 

ACTS 15:39

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE FRIENDSHIP WAS INITIATED BY GODLY ACTIONS

 

1. Barnabas was a Levite on the Right Side of the Road [Luke 10:32, Acts 4:36-37]

-And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

 

2. Barnabas was a Friend of the Lord’s Followers [Psalms 119:63, Acts 9:26-29]

-I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts

 

3. Barnabas was a Friend to New Christians [Acts 11:19-24]

 

II. THE FRIENDSHIP WAS BLESSED BY GOD

 

1. God Helped Barnabas Find Saul [Matthew 7:7-8, Acts 11:24-27]

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

 

2. God Blessed Their Ministry Together [Acts 11:27-30, 12:25-13:1-4]

 

3. God Blessed Them Even Amidst Persecution [Acts 13:49-50, 14:1-4]

 

III. THE FRIENDSHIP NEED NOT MAINTAIN ITS STRENGTH

 

1. The Stood Together for the Gospel [Acts 15:1-3, 12, 33-35]

 

2. They Had a Disagreement about Personnel [Acts 15:36-39a]

 

3. The Work of God Continued Despite a Changed Friendship [Acts 15:39-41]

GOD’S PEACE, MAN’S NEED

Rm. 1:7, 15:13, 33, 16:20

- For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

- Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

-Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

- And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.                 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE DESIRE OF GOD – God wants us to have peace [John 14:27]

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.

 

1. A Peaceful Heart Glorifies God [Rm. 3:17-18, 5:1,  John 14:27]

- And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes

- THEREFORE being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

 

2. A Peaceful Heart Helps Others [Romans 10:15, 14:17-19]

- And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

- For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

 

3. A Peaceful Heart Helps Us [Romans 2:10, 8:6, 14:17]

- But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

- For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

- For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

 

II. THE DISTURBANCES OF LIFE

 

1.  Disturbances may be caused by Others [1 Peter 4:4, 12-14]

Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

-Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

 

2. Disturbances may be Caused by Our Own Mistakes [James 1:14, 1 Peter 4:15]

- But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

- But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

 

3.  Disturbances may be Caused by God’s Pruning [1 Peter 4:16-19]

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

 

III. THE DIRECTIONS FOR PEACE

 

1. We Must Know the Giver of Peace [Jeremiah 29:11, John 14:27]

- For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

- 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.

 

2. We Must Come to Him with Every Problem [Isaiah 26:3, Philippians 4:7-9]

- Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

-And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

 

3. We Must Rest upon His Word [Colossians 3:15-17]

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE

MARK 10:23-27                    

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR MEN TO KNOW A PERSON’S HEART

 

1. We cannot even know our own heart [Jer. 17:9-10]

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

 

2. We can only look on outward appearances [1 Sam. 16:6-7]

And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him. But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

 

3. We are forbidden to judge other’s motives [Mt. 7:1, Jn. 7:24, 1 Corinthians 4:3-5]

- JUDGE not, that ye be not judged.

- Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

- But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

 

II. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE PEOPLE

 

1. There are “complainers” [1 Cor. 10:10]

Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

 

2. There are “takers” [Pr. 27:20, Hab. 2:5, John 6:25-26]

- Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

- And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

 

3. There are “critics” [Mt. 9:3, 11, 14, 34]

- And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.

- when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

-Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?

 

It’s contagious-the disciples joined Judas in criticizing the woman for wasting ointment. Fortunately, we need not try to please men- we must seek to please God [Gal. 1:10, 1 Th. 2:4, Heb. 11:6]

III. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SAVE YOURSELF OR OTHERS

 

1. We can’t pay sin’s wage [Rm. 6:23, Rev. 20:14]

- For the wages of sin is death

- And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

 

2. We can’t save others when we ourselves are sinners [Heb. 7:22-28]

By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

 

3. We can’t save ourselves or anyone else but God can & does [Mk. 10:23-27]

And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.