Justified--by Faith or Works?

Justified--by Faith or Works? December 20, 2011   "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (Galatians 2:16)   Some have argued that James contradicts Paul at this point, since James emphasized that both Abraham and Rahab, among others, were justified by works (James 2:21, 25). In fact, this seeming conflict between Paul and James has often been cited as one of the "contradictions" of the Bible.   There is no contradiction, however. Neither Abraham nor Rahab could have been justified by the "works of the law," and James never said they were. Abraham lived before God even gave the law to Moses, and Rahab lived in a pagan culture which knew nothing about it. Furthermore, James himself knew that no one could really be saved by the law, for he said that "whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all" (James 2:10).   Actually, both Abraham and Rahab were "justified"--which means "seen as righteous"--by faith in God and His provision of salvation (note James 2:23; Hebrews 11:31). The righteousness of Christ, who did keep perfectly the law of God, is imputed to believers by faith (Romans 4:3-5). God sees him or her as "in Christ," and so they are justified (recognized as righteous) solely through faith.   However, other men cannot see our faith, and therefore we must be justified in the sight of men by our works. True saving faith inevitably will manifest itself in works of righteousness. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: . . . For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:8, 10). HMM   Print this article | More Days of Praise articles     Institute for Creation Research | 1806 Royal Lane | Dallas | TX | 75229

BACK TO THE FUTURE

LUKE 21

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE WIDOW’S MITES [v. 1-4]

II. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE [v. 5-6]

III. THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES [v. 7-24]

1. The Course for the Saved [v. 7-19]

2. The Catalyst for the Course [v. 20-23]

3. The Course for the Nation [v. 24-]

IV. THE TRIBULATION & THE TOUCHDOWN COMING OF CHRIST [v. 25-38]

1. The Tribulation in Brief [v. 25-28]

2. The Timeframe is Brief [v. 29-33]

3. The Time to Serve is Brief [v. 34-3

THE ABSOLUTE NECESSITY OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH

LUKE 1:26-38

Pastor Rick Jackson

The virgin birth of Christ is no myth. Nor is it an unnecessary event concocted to make a simple story spectacular. No, the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ is an absolute unequivocal necessity. There are at least 6 reasons this is true.

I. Christ was Virgin Born so He would NOT have a Sin Nature [Ps. 51:5, Lk. 1:35]

Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee,
and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

II. Christ was Virgin Born so He would be Human as well as Divine in His Nature [Phil. 2:5-8]

III. Christ was Virgin Born so He would Fulfill Scripture [Mt. 1:18-23, Is. 7:14]

IV. Christ was Virgin Born so He could Serve as Mediator [I Tm. 2:5]

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

V. Christ was Virgin Born so He could make an Adequate Payment for Sin [I 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.


VI. Christ was Virgin Born so He could Face Temptations as Other Men [Heb. 2:18, 4:15]

Hebrews 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them
that are tempted.
Hebrews 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.

The Beginning of Wisdom

The Beginning of Wisdom December 17, 2011   "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever." (Psalm 111:10)   This age has rightly been called the "age of information." With multitudes of books and periodicals in every field of study and practice, with billions of dollars devoted to all kinds of research, and now even the "information superhighway" of the Internet. It seems everyone and every organization is posting information of some sort on its own website and email. The world is almost drowning in information.   "But where shall wisdom be found and where is the place of understanding?" (Job 28:12). Job's urgent question can never be answered "online," but only in an ancient book. "Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding" (Job 28:28).   This spiritual truism is found often in that Book. King Solomon, to whom God had granted special wisdom (1 Kings 3:11-12), penned divinely inspired words when he wrote: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge," and then "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding" (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10).   If anything is missing in our information age, it is surely the fear of God, at least among most people--even most religious people. But, as our text says: "A good understanding have all they that do his commandments."   From our New Testament perspective, we now know that "in |Christ| are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). "And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment" (1 John 3:23). Herein is true knowledge and understanding and wisdom. HMM   Print this article | More Days of Praise articles     Institute for Creation Research | 1806 Royal Lane | Dallas | TX | 75229

Question of the Week: From one flesh or two?

 

answersingenesis.org | newsletter archives | contact us December 17, 2011 a weekly look at answersingenesis.org
In this issue . . . Q&A: From one flesh or two? Video On Demand: Why Won't They Listen? Part 1 (Sidebar) Ken's Blog (Sidebar) News to Note Quick Look Free Christmas Town wallpapers Answers ... with Ken Ham After Eden Network with Us! Job Opportunities at Answers in Genesis (Sidebar) Q: From one flesh or two? A: Ever since the time of Darwin, many church leaders and academics have attempted various ways to harmonize Genesis with "millions of years" and Darwin's ideas of common descent. A new proposal by Bill Dembski (who teaches at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) claims that Adam and Eve came from "human-like beings" who lived outside the Garden of Eden. You could test Dembski's claims against several scriptural teachings. But just one—the biblical teaching of "one flesh"—is more than sufficient to show how his position undermines key biblical doctrines, including marriage, the church, and ultimately the authority of God's Word in the Old and New Testaments. If one takes Genesis 2:21–23 as literal history, then God made Adam first (from dust), and then put the man to sleep, and from his side (a rib) made the first woman. Adam said that this woman was "flesh of my flesh." They were one flesh. Continue reading to see how Dembski's proposal clearly contradicts the plain reading of Scripture—including the teaching of Jesus about marriage. News to Note Quick Look Lungfish lope along: Lungfish—lobe-finned air-breathing fish—are considered by evolutionists to be the closest living relatives of the ancestral creatures they think evolved to bring vertebrate life to land. Read more. Goldilocks planet: NASA's extrasolar planet-hunter, the $600 million Kepler space telescope, has "confirmed the discovery of its first alien world in its host star's habitable zone." Read more. Also: The passing of a well-known atheist No room in the park Faith versus science? And Don't Miss . . . Free Christmas Town wallpapers Experience the joy of Christmas Town on your computer with these new free, high-resolution wallpaper images.       Answers ... with Ken Ham radio program Earth's origin? Ask a living eyewitness! Genesis—and research on human embryos! Fighting racism—in a very striking way! Racism—the solution's actually simple! The aborigines—and the Tree of Death! After Eden Network with Us! Answers in Genesis Answers in Genesis Creation Museum Creation Museum Ark Encounter Ark Encounter Answers Magazine   Note: Facebook and Twitter are both social networking sites with user-contributed content. Children should not visit the sites without parental supervision.  Free app for iPhone / iPod Touch / iPad	This Week . . . Feedback: Timeline Twisting Texts (Dec 16) Old Earth Creationism on Trial: Preface (Dec 15) What Makes Us Human, and Why It Is Not the Brain: A Creationist Defense of the Soul (Dec 14) Contradictions: Did Jesus Contradict Himself by Calling People Fools? (Dec 13) Beam Me Up! (Dec 12) Winter Answers magazine sneak peek: From One Flesh—Or Two? (Dec 11) Video On Demand Why Won't They Listen? Part 1 Watch Video Ken's Blog Dawkins Makes a Vow to "Destroy Christianity" Creation Evangelism in Brazil Academic VP and Provost of College Stoops to New Low in Personal Attack We Love Science Reaching into Faraway Places Previous entries Prayer Requests Visit our prayer site to keep track of and pray for current ministry needs. Resources Answers Magazine Subscription: United States The First Christmas Town Answers Book For Teens 180 DVD (pro-life documentary) More current bestsellers Upcoming Events California Answers in Genesis Conference, January 21–23 New Jersey Answers in Genesis Conference, January 28–30 BERMUDA Answers in Genesis Conference, February 5–6 Kentucky Sunday Speaking, February 26 Kentucky Not Ashamed Creation Conference, March 4–5 More events Job Opportunities Event Coordinator Internship Opportunities
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The Christ in Christmas, Part 4

Matthew 1:21 "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." I love ending the year by reading the Christmas story. The story of angels, wise men, shepherds, and the Lord Jesus, God in flesh, never gets old no matter how many times it's told! The Messiah's birth was foretold by prophets and announced by angels, but He is greater than them all. He is the Preeminent One, God's only Son! While the wise men followed a star in the sky, in a very real sense Jesus Christ is the Star of Bethlehem. Numbers 24:17, in speaking of the coming Messiah, says, "I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth." The Messiah is a Star and a Scepter. He is the King of Kings! Can you imagine the King of Kings...lying in a manger? It is incomprehensible! Yet Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God's promise about a "Star out of Jacob, and Sceptre . . . out of Israel." You cannot read the Christmas story without seeing the Christ in Christmas. He is the Son of God; promised by God; prophesied about before His birth; proclaimed at His birth; and He is our Savior! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Prayer Requests: 1. BRR New York City Outreach, January 9-13, 2012 2. A special word from Brother Rice... Looking for more devotionals? Visit the archives here

Bill Rice Ranch 627 Bill Rice Ranch Road Murfreesboro TN 37128

NO QUESTION

LUKE 20

Pastor Rick Jackson

No question. Read this chapter and learn there is no question too hard for Jesus. There is no question who is Lord. There is no question but He cannot only answer it- He can remove it!

I. No Question About His Authority [v. 1-8]

II. No Question About His Destiny [v. 9-19]

III. No Question About His Wisdom [v. 20-26]

IV. No Question About His Fundamentalism [v. 27-38]

V. No Question About His Expectations [v. 39-47]

The Christ in Christmas, Part 3

 

 

John 1:14 "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."       John 1, in a powerful yet concise way, answers the question of who Jesus Christ is and why He came. Jesus Christ is God-Eternal. Jesus Christ is God-Almighty. Jesus Christ is God-Incarnate. Often we are so stuck on ourselves and "discovering" who we are that we miss the truth of who Jesus Christ is. The way to most clearly see yourself is to clearly see Christ! When compared to the mighty truths of John 1, who I am just doesn't measure up or matter much at all!   The story of John the Baptist exemplifies the type of self-awareness we should have. John had a large voice and a large following; but when asked, "Who art thou?" he was honest about the answer. "I am not the Christ." Obviously the inquirers thought he might be the Messiah, but it wasn't about John. It was all about Christ!   When you try to see yourself by comparing yourself to others, you are buying into something contrived and empty. In other words, you can make yourself look any way you want by comparing yourself to a certain person. This "big fish in a small pond" mentality will only go so far and will leave you empty. You can't clearly see yourself when you are looking at other people!   Have you ever been impressed with something you have done, only to be outdone by the person you are talking to? Maybe you have just finished a tour of our country's landmarks, but your neighbor just returned from Paris, London, and Cairo! Trying to win the battle of self is always a losing battle, whether by despair or pride. Instead, if you will see Christ like John saw, you will have the proper estimation of yourself and of the Lord.   Later in the third chapter of John, John the Baptist says those famous words, "He must increase, but I must decrease." A proper view of Christ will produce a proper view of yourself. John was not unimportant; he was forerunner for God the Son. John's importance came because of who Christ was. The truth is, Jesus Christ "was made flesh, and dwelt among us. . . ." Thank God that He sent His Son, and by clearly seeing the Son, we can clearly and honestly see ourselves.       Prayer Requests: 1. BRR New York City Outreach, January 9-13, 2012 2. A special word from Brother Rice...       Looking for more devotionals?  Visit the archives here

This email was sent to jacksoncompound@hotmail.com by firstlight@billriceranch.org |   Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Bill Rice Ranch | 627 Bill Rice Ranch Road | Murfreesboro | TN | 37128

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

One who really has disrespect for our government. like the anarchists, one who brings railing accusations against rulers and speaks evil against dignities, is not a good Christian, no matter how fundamental in doctrine he claims to be nor how ardent a defender of Americanism he appears to be. - John R. Rice

It is not only that we would do well to pray but that we ought to pray. It is not only that we ought to pray often but that we ought always to pray. Christians ought not be discouraged, ought not to faint, ought not to cease pleading with God for what they need. - Rice

The Wall Street Journal quoted an anonymous wit who defined money as, "an article which may be used as a universal passport to everywhere except heaven, and as a universal provider for everything except happiness." - Warren W. Wiersbe

Make money your god and it will plague you like the devil! - Henry Fielding

The Christ in Christmas, Part 2

 

Colossians 1:18b "That in all things he might have the preeminence."       Who is Jesus Christ, and why did He come? Hebrews 1 reminds us that there is no one like God's Son. He is utterly and totally unique. Jesus Christ is literally God in a body! Furthermore, Colossians 1 reveals that Christ is preeminent. That is, He is before all things and above all things. He is above and before all creation, all kingdoms, and all things.   King Herod knew full well that there was not room in his kingdom for two kings. He set out to exterminate the Messiah at birth, trying like Lucifer to set himself above the Preeminent One. Christ has first place over everything and everyone; and when you forget that truth or try to minimize His preeminence by maximizing your own, you stand in opposition to the very God of the Universe.   Jesus Christ should have the preeminence in your life, at Christmas and at every other moment. He is preeminent over His creation and the kingdoms of men. Anything less is not fitting to the One in Whom "all fulness dwell[s]."   The words of Colossians 1:18 are inscribed on Bill Rice's grave here at the Ranch. "That in all things he might have the preeminence." That was his life's verse, and that is a wonderful theme for my life and yours today. The Christ of Christmas is preeminent, and that includes all creation, all kingdoms, and all aspects of your life today. Are you giving Him His rightful place?       Prayer Requests: 1. BRR New York City Outreach, January 9-13, 2012 2. A special word from Brother Rice...     Looking for more devotionals?  Visit the archives here

Bill Rice Ranch | 627 Bill Rice Ranch Road | Murfreesboro | TN | 37128

LOOKING AHEAD

LUKE 19:11-48

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE COMING KINGDOM

1. The Placement of God’s King [v. 11-15a, Psalm 2:6]

Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

2. The Praise of God’s Servants [v. 15b-26]

3. The Punishment of God’s Enemies [v. 14,, 27]

II. THE COMING KING

1. His Presentation [v. 28-40]

2. His Prediction [v. 41-44]

3. His Purity [v. 45-46]

III. THE COMING CONCLUSION

1. The Lord [v. 47a]

2. The Opposition [v. 47b-8a]

3. The People [v. 48b]

TWO CHRISTMAS CAROLS

LUKE 19:1-10

Pastor Rick Jackson

Thanks to the media most of us have heard of Ebenezer Scrooge and the change in his life to honor Christmas all year long. Charles dickens, a professing Christian, wrote an excellent story showing the power of a changed life. In the Bible, Dr. Luke shows us the same truth- in 10 verses.

I. THE OLD MAN

1. Had Earthly Position [v. 2]

2. Had Earthly Wealth [v. 2]

3. Had Great Need [v. 3]

II. THE SPIRITS

1. The Spirit of Christmas Past- God the Father

Jn. 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

2. The Spirit of Christmas Present- the Holy Spirit [Jn. 16:7-13]

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

3. The Spirit of Christmas Future- Christ [Eph. 2:7]

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

III. THE NEW MAN

1. Converted [v. 1, 5-6]

2. Changed [v. 7-8]

3. Challenged [v. 9-10]