A trucker came into a truck stop cafe and placed his order. He said, "I want three flat tires, a pair of headlights and a pair of running boards."
The brand new waitress, not wanting to appear stupid, went to the kitchen and said to the cook, "This guy out there just ordered three flat tires, a pair of headlights and a pair of running boards. What does he think this place is ... an auto parts store?"
"No," the cook said. "Three flat tires mean three pancakes, a pair of headlights is two eggs sunny side up, and running boards are 2 slices of crisp bacon."
"Oh, OK!" said the waitress. She thought about it for a moment and then spooned up a bowl of beans and gave it to the customer. The trucker asked, "What are the beans for?"
She replied, "I thought while you were waiting for the flat tires, headlights and running boards, you might as well gas up!"
Friday, July 06, 2007
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Just for the Pun of it
1. A vulture boarded a plane, carrying two dead raccoons.The stewardess stopped him and said, "Sorry sir, only one carrion per passenger."
2. NASA recently sent a number of Holsteins into orbit forexperimental purposes. They called it the herd shot roundthe world.
3. Two boll weevils grew up in S. Carolina . One took off toHollywood and became a rich star. The other stayed in Carolina and never amounted to much--and naturally became known as the lesser of two weevils.
4. Two Eskimos in a kayak were chilly, so they started a fire, which sank the craft, proving the old adage you can't have your kayak and heat it too.
5. A 3-legged dog walks into an old west saloon, slides up to the bar and announces, "I'm looking for the man who shot my paw."
6. Did you hear about the Buddhist who went to the dentist and refused to take Novocain? He wanted to transcend dental medication.
7. A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel, and met in the lobby where they were discussing their recent victories in chess tournaments. The hotel manager came out of the office after an hour, and asked them to disperse. He couldn't stand chess nuts boasting in an open foyer.
8. A woman has twins, gives them up for adoption. One goes to an Egyptian family and is named "Ahmal" The other is sent to a Spanish family and is named "Juan". Years later, Juan sends his birth mother a picture of himself. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her husband she wishes she also had a picture of Ahmal. He replies, "They're twins for Pete's sake!! If you've seen Juan, you've seen Ahmal!!"
9. A group of friars opened a florist shop to help with their belfry payments. Everyone liked to buy flowers from the Men of God, so their business flourished. A rival florist became upset that his business was suffering because people felt compelled to buy from the Friars, so he asked the Friars to cut back hours or close down. The Friars refused. So the florist then hired Hugh McTaggert, the biggest meanest thug in town. He went to the Friars' shop, beat them up, destroyed their flowers, trashed their shop, and said that if they didn't close, he'd be back. Well, totally terrified, the Friars closed up shop and hid in their rooms. This proved that Hugh, and only Hugh, can prevent florist friars.
10. Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot his whole life, which created an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little, which made him frail, and with his odd diet, he suffered from very bad breath. This made him....what? (This is so bad it's good...) --a super-callused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.
11. And finally, ...there was a person who blogged 10 puns in hopes at least one of the puns would make someone laugh. Unfortunately, no pun in ten did.
These were sent to me by the great Sandini a while back.
2. NASA recently sent a number of Holsteins into orbit forexperimental purposes. They called it the herd shot roundthe world.
3. Two boll weevils grew up in S. Carolina . One took off toHollywood and became a rich star. The other stayed in Carolina and never amounted to much--and naturally became known as the lesser of two weevils.
4. Two Eskimos in a kayak were chilly, so they started a fire, which sank the craft, proving the old adage you can't have your kayak and heat it too.
5. A 3-legged dog walks into an old west saloon, slides up to the bar and announces, "I'm looking for the man who shot my paw."
6. Did you hear about the Buddhist who went to the dentist and refused to take Novocain? He wanted to transcend dental medication.
7. A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel, and met in the lobby where they were discussing their recent victories in chess tournaments. The hotel manager came out of the office after an hour, and asked them to disperse. He couldn't stand chess nuts boasting in an open foyer.
8. A woman has twins, gives them up for adoption. One goes to an Egyptian family and is named "Ahmal" The other is sent to a Spanish family and is named "Juan". Years later, Juan sends his birth mother a picture of himself. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her husband she wishes she also had a picture of Ahmal. He replies, "They're twins for Pete's sake!! If you've seen Juan, you've seen Ahmal!!"
9. A group of friars opened a florist shop to help with their belfry payments. Everyone liked to buy flowers from the Men of God, so their business flourished. A rival florist became upset that his business was suffering because people felt compelled to buy from the Friars, so he asked the Friars to cut back hours or close down. The Friars refused. So the florist then hired Hugh McTaggert, the biggest meanest thug in town. He went to the Friars' shop, beat them up, destroyed their flowers, trashed their shop, and said that if they didn't close, he'd be back. Well, totally terrified, the Friars closed up shop and hid in their rooms. This proved that Hugh, and only Hugh, can prevent florist friars.
10. Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot his whole life, which created an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little, which made him frail, and with his odd diet, he suffered from very bad breath. This made him....what? (This is so bad it's good...) --a super-callused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.
11. And finally, ...there was a person who blogged 10 puns in hopes at least one of the puns would make someone laugh. Unfortunately, no pun in ten did.
These were sent to me by the great Sandini a while back.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
THE CROSS IS OUR STATUE OF LIBERTY
Pastor Rick Jackson
In New York harbor stands a lady who weighs 225 tons, more than 45 full grown elephants. Her right arm stretches mote than 4 stories above her shoulder and her fingers are approximately 8' long. In 1986 she celebrated her 100th birthday making her 121 in 2007. Of course we are referring to one of our national treasures and symbols... the Statue of Liberty!
Almost 2000 years ago on the hill called mt. Calvary stood a cross. On that cross was a man with the weight of the sin of the world upon Him. Not just the sin of the people of His day but the sin of all men and women stretching back to Adam & Eve and stretching forward to all those yet to be born. His open arms stretch from East to West and from North to South with bands of love. His fingers point to each heart saying, "I love you, I died for you, I rose for you, I will save you if you will only trust in me." Whereas once the cross was a symbol of fear the cross has become a symbol of the life which only Jesus can provide.
These two symbols, the Statue of Liberty and the Cross of Calvary have a lot in common. Think first of all of the:
I. SYMBOLISM & SUBSTANCE
1. They speak of Friendship
Rm. 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Eph. 2:15-16 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
2. They speak of Freedom
Rm. 5:15, 6:18-22 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. ...Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Gal. 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
3. They speak of Faith
Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rm. 3:21-22 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
II. NAMES AND NUANCES
1. "Miss Liberty"
Lk. 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
2. "The Mother of Exiles"
Jn. 4:42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
Is. 9:6 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.
3. "Liberty Enlightening the World"
Jn. 1:4-5, 9-10, 8:12 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. ...That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. ... Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
III. INSCRIPTIONS & INVITATIONS
In 1883 a young Jewish woman wrote a poem about the Statue of Liberty called "The New Colossus" which said in part:
"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost, to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Almost 2000 years ago a young Jewish prophet said,
Mt. 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Jn. 635-40 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
WITH JESUS AS MY SAVIOUR THE CROSS IS MY STATUE OF LIBERTY!
In New York harbor stands a lady who weighs 225 tons, more than 45 full grown elephants. Her right arm stretches mote than 4 stories above her shoulder and her fingers are approximately 8' long. In 1986 she celebrated her 100th birthday making her 121 in 2007. Of course we are referring to one of our national treasures and symbols... the Statue of Liberty!
Almost 2000 years ago on the hill called mt. Calvary stood a cross. On that cross was a man with the weight of the sin of the world upon Him. Not just the sin of the people of His day but the sin of all men and women stretching back to Adam & Eve and stretching forward to all those yet to be born. His open arms stretch from East to West and from North to South with bands of love. His fingers point to each heart saying, "I love you, I died for you, I rose for you, I will save you if you will only trust in me." Whereas once the cross was a symbol of fear the cross has become a symbol of the life which only Jesus can provide.
These two symbols, the Statue of Liberty and the Cross of Calvary have a lot in common. Think first of all of the:
I. SYMBOLISM & SUBSTANCE
1. They speak of Friendship
Rm. 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Eph. 2:15-16 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
2. They speak of Freedom
Rm. 5:15, 6:18-22 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. ...Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Gal. 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
3. They speak of Faith
Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rm. 3:21-22 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
II. NAMES AND NUANCES
1. "Miss Liberty"
Lk. 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
2. "The Mother of Exiles"
Jn. 4:42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
Is. 9:6 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.
3. "Liberty Enlightening the World"
Jn. 1:4-5, 9-10, 8:12 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. ...That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. ... Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
III. INSCRIPTIONS & INVITATIONS
In 1883 a young Jewish woman wrote a poem about the Statue of Liberty called "The New Colossus" which said in part:
"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost, to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Almost 2000 years ago a young Jewish prophet said,
Mt. 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Jn. 635-40 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
WITH JESUS AS MY SAVIOUR THE CROSS IS MY STATUE OF LIBERTY!
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Pictures of the week!
And you wonder why I don't post pictures of my family.
Like Mother, like Daughter!
Monday, July 02, 2007
Reasoning: how to get your daily needs met according to the Bible
Another of Sumner Wemp's excellent articles. -Rick
The manna For forty years God fed the children of Israel their "daily bread" by sending the manna daily. They just had to go pick it up, one day at a time. Suppose someone said, "I don't like having to go pick it up every day." That would have been very foolish. Suppose they stopped picking it up for several says and got real hungry. Now they would really be foolish to fuss about not having anything to eat. It was there for the taking.
Today
God said, ask me, "Give us this day our daily bread" Lk 11:3. This is the way God has said to have your "daily needs" met. "You have not because you ask not" James 4:2. Over thirty years ago, Celeste and I caught this and began praying EVERY day, "give us this day our daily bread", our daily needs. It has been staggering the difference it has made. We have not had one financial crunch or crisis all these years. We had many crunches before that. To top that we have not had to borrow to buy one thing since we began praying EVERY day, "give us THIS day our daily needs." I do not say you will never had to borrow but we have had any number who began to pray what Jesus told us to pray when He was asked by the apostles, "teach us to pray." I am just dumbfounded how the "Lord's prayer" or "Lord's prayer list" is what I call it, has been explained away. How I hope YOU catch it and begin asking EVERY day what He taught us to ask. Let me know what you think and do about it. Doesn't it make sense?
ABC sumner
"Keep on asking" is what the two parables in Luke 11:5-13 and 18:1-8 teach. Remember that and do it!
"If you didn't get all the things you wanted, you can still be grateful for all the things that you didn't get that you didn't want."
Keep checking our website www.sumnerwemp.com for new articles and to win tracts (new drawing) and books
The manna For forty years God fed the children of Israel their "daily bread" by sending the manna daily. They just had to go pick it up, one day at a time. Suppose someone said, "I don't like having to go pick it up every day." That would have been very foolish. Suppose they stopped picking it up for several says and got real hungry. Now they would really be foolish to fuss about not having anything to eat. It was there for the taking.
Today
God said, ask me, "Give us this day our daily bread" Lk 11:3. This is the way God has said to have your "daily needs" met. "You have not because you ask not" James 4:2. Over thirty years ago, Celeste and I caught this and began praying EVERY day, "give us this day our daily bread", our daily needs. It has been staggering the difference it has made. We have not had one financial crunch or crisis all these years. We had many crunches before that. To top that we have not had to borrow to buy one thing since we began praying EVERY day, "give us THIS day our daily needs." I do not say you will never had to borrow but we have had any number who began to pray what Jesus told us to pray when He was asked by the apostles, "teach us to pray." I am just dumbfounded how the "Lord's prayer" or "Lord's prayer list" is what I call it, has been explained away. How I hope YOU catch it and begin asking EVERY day what He taught us to ask. Let me know what you think and do about it. Doesn't it make sense?
ABC sumner
"Keep on asking" is what the two parables in Luke 11:5-13 and 18:1-8 teach. Remember that and do it!
"If you didn't get all the things you wanted, you can still be grateful for all the things that you didn't get that you didn't want."
Keep checking our website www.sumnerwemp.com for new articles and to win tracts (new drawing) and books
Sunday, July 01, 2007
THE BLESSING OF PRAYER
PSALM 4
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. THE MECHANICS OF PRAYER (sort of a "How to get your prayers answered")
1. Be active [v. 1] "Hear me when I call, O God"
Jm. 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
God can't answer your prayers if you don't ask for anything.
I once wrote a friend, "I would have answered your letter sooner but you didn't send one."
2. Be right [v. 1] "O God of my righteousness"
Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Job 33:26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
Psalm 15:2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling
II Cor. 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
3. Be Grateful [v. 1] "thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress;"
David asked in Ps. 116:12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
And part of the answer to that question was "I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD." [v. 16]
Ph. 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
4. Be Humble [v. 1] "have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer."
James 4:5-6 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
5. Be steady [v. 2] "Leasing"=falsehood
James 1:6-8 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
II. THE MASTER OF PRAYER
1. GOD instructs [v. 3] "But know"
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
II Timothy 1:12 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.
2. GOD sanctifies [v. 3] "But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself:"
Titus 2:14 Who gave Himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Heb. 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
Heb. 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
3. GOD replies [v. 3] "the LORD will hear when I call unto him. " (not a secretary... God Himself)
Jer. 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Psalm 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
III. THE MAINTENANCE OF PRAYER
1. Be still and let God be God [v. 4]
Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Ps. 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
Psalm 68:1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.
I Cor. 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
2. Serve God as you trust Him [v. 5]
Titus 3:5-8 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men
3. Pray and reap the benefits of gladness, peace and security [v. 6-8]
Is. 26:3-4 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
Pastor Rick Jackson
I. THE MECHANICS OF PRAYER (sort of a "How to get your prayers answered")
1. Be active [v. 1] "Hear me when I call, O God"
Jm. 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
God can't answer your prayers if you don't ask for anything.
I once wrote a friend, "I would have answered your letter sooner but you didn't send one."
2. Be right [v. 1] "O God of my righteousness"
Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Job 33:26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
Psalm 15:2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling
II Cor. 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
3. Be Grateful [v. 1] "thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress;"
David asked in Ps. 116:12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
And part of the answer to that question was "I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD." [v. 16]
Ph. 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
4. Be Humble [v. 1] "have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer."
James 4:5-6 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
5. Be steady [v. 2] "Leasing"=falsehood
James 1:6-8 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
II. THE MASTER OF PRAYER
1. GOD instructs [v. 3] "But know"
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
II Timothy 1:12 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.
2. GOD sanctifies [v. 3] "But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself:"
Titus 2:14 Who gave Himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Heb. 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
Heb. 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
3. GOD replies [v. 3] "the LORD will hear when I call unto him. " (not a secretary... God Himself)
Jer. 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Psalm 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
III. THE MAINTENANCE OF PRAYER
1. Be still and let God be God [v. 4]
Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Ps. 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
Psalm 68:1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.
I Cor. 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
2. Serve God as you trust Him [v. 5]
Titus 3:5-8 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men
3. Pray and reap the benefits of gladness, peace and security [v. 6-8]
Is. 26:3-4 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
THE BLESSING OF SORROW
PSALM 27
Pastor Rick Jackson
Sorrow is a blessing from God. What? You like sorrow? I didn't say that. I said, "Sorrow is a blessing from God." I don't like it anymore than you do but I do try to recognize it for what it is. And what it is, is a blessing from God.
I. SORROW CAN HAVE VALUE
1. If it causes us to look up! [v. 1]
Psalm 121:1-2 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
Heb. 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
2. If it leads us to the Book! [v. 2-3, 11]
Rm. 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Think about it, the Bible starts with: "In the beginning God" and ends with "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." We're covered from start to finish.
3. If it causes us to honestly appraise what we have! [v. 10]
Phil. 2:27-28 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
Job 1:20-22 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
2:9-10 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
Sorrow can have value. It wasn't until after his wife left him taking his little girl away that Charles Weigle wrote No One Ever Cared Like Jesus -
I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus, Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true. I would tell you how He changed my life completely; He did something no other friend could do.
Chorus: No one ever cared for me like Jesus; There's no other friend so kind as He. No one else could take the sin And darkness from me; O how much He cared for me.
All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me; All my heart was full of misery and woe, Jesus placed His strong arms about me And He led me in the way I ought to go.
Ev'ry day He comes to me with new assurance; More and more I understand His Word of Love. But I'll never know just why He came to save me, Till someday I see His blessed face above.
II. SORROW CAN IMPROVE OUR VISION
1. It can give you a goal in life [v. 4]
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 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...Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [Ph. 3]
2. It can help us focus on God's purpose [v. 8]
Jn. 16:5-7 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 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.
3. It can remind us the best is yet to come [v. 5-6]
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Yes, sorrow can improve our vision.
George Matheson wrote a hymn. When asked about it he said:
My hymn was composed ...on the evening of the 6th of June, 1882, when I was 40 years of age. I was alone ...at that time. It was the night of my sister’s marriage, and the rest of the family were staying overnight in Glasgow. Something happened to me, which was known only to myself, and which caused me the most severe mental suffering. The hymn was the fruit of that suffering. It was the quickest bit of work I ever did in my life. I had the impression of having it dictated to me by some inward voice rather than of working it out myself. I am quite sure that the whole work was completed in five minutes, and equally sure that it never received at my hands any retouching or correction. I have no natural gift of rhythm. All the other verses I have ever written are manufactured articles; this came like a dayspring from on high.
What he wrote was this:
O Love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee; I give thee back the life I owe, That in thine ocean depths its flow May richer, fuller be.
O Joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee; I trace the rainbow through the rain, And feel the promise is not vain, That morn shall tearless be.
O Cross that liftest up my head, I dare not ask to fly from thee; I lay in dust life’s glory dead, And from the ground there blossoms red Life that shall endless be.
III. SORROW CAN BE BORNE TRIUMPHANTLY!
1. Bear it with EXPECTANCY! [v. 7]
Jn 16:19-22 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
2. Bear it with KNOWLEDGE! [v. 12-13]
I Th. 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
3. Bear it with FAITH! [v. 14]
After recounting his sorrows Job triumphantly proclaims, "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:" [19:25-26]
Rm. 8:28 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.
Pastor Rick Jackson
Sorrow is a blessing from God. What? You like sorrow? I didn't say that. I said, "Sorrow is a blessing from God." I don't like it anymore than you do but I do try to recognize it for what it is. And what it is, is a blessing from God.
I. SORROW CAN HAVE VALUE
1. If it causes us to look up! [v. 1]
Psalm 121:1-2 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
Heb. 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
2. If it leads us to the Book! [v. 2-3, 11]
Rm. 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Think about it, the Bible starts with: "In the beginning God" and ends with "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." We're covered from start to finish.
3. If it causes us to honestly appraise what we have! [v. 10]
Phil. 2:27-28 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
Job 1:20-22 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
2:9-10 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
Sorrow can have value. It wasn't until after his wife left him taking his little girl away that Charles Weigle wrote No One Ever Cared Like Jesus -
I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus, Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true. I would tell you how He changed my life completely; He did something no other friend could do.
Chorus: No one ever cared for me like Jesus; There's no other friend so kind as He. No one else could take the sin And darkness from me; O how much He cared for me.
All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me; All my heart was full of misery and woe, Jesus placed His strong arms about me And He led me in the way I ought to go.
Ev'ry day He comes to me with new assurance; More and more I understand His Word of Love. But I'll never know just why He came to save me, Till someday I see His blessed face above.
II. SORROW CAN IMPROVE OUR VISION
1. It can give you a goal in life [v. 4]
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 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...Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [Ph. 3]
2. It can help us focus on God's purpose [v. 8]
Jn. 16:5-7 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 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.
3. It can remind us the best is yet to come [v. 5-6]
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Yes, sorrow can improve our vision.
George Matheson wrote a hymn. When asked about it he said:
My hymn was composed ...on the evening of the 6th of June, 1882, when I was 40 years of age. I was alone ...at that time. It was the night of my sister’s marriage, and the rest of the family were staying overnight in Glasgow. Something happened to me, which was known only to myself, and which caused me the most severe mental suffering. The hymn was the fruit of that suffering. It was the quickest bit of work I ever did in my life. I had the impression of having it dictated to me by some inward voice rather than of working it out myself. I am quite sure that the whole work was completed in five minutes, and equally sure that it never received at my hands any retouching or correction. I have no natural gift of rhythm. All the other verses I have ever written are manufactured articles; this came like a dayspring from on high.
What he wrote was this:
O Love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee; I give thee back the life I owe, That in thine ocean depths its flow May richer, fuller be.
O Joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee; I trace the rainbow through the rain, And feel the promise is not vain, That morn shall tearless be.
O Cross that liftest up my head, I dare not ask to fly from thee; I lay in dust life’s glory dead, And from the ground there blossoms red Life that shall endless be.
III. SORROW CAN BE BORNE TRIUMPHANTLY!
1. Bear it with EXPECTANCY! [v. 7]
Jn 16:19-22 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
2. Bear it with KNOWLEDGE! [v. 12-13]
I Th. 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
3. Bear it with FAITH! [v. 14]
After recounting his sorrows Job triumphantly proclaims, "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:" [19:25-26]
Rm. 8:28 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.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Q: What is Mkele Memembe?
A: It’s the name of a dinosaur that may be alive today. According to eyewitness accounts by natives in the Congo in central Africa, there seems to be a distinct possibility that a living dinosaur—which they call Mkele Memembe—is roaming about in their jungles!
Also, natives in the rain forests of Brazil have reported seeing a red-haired creature that some scientists now believe is a ground sloth. These sloths supposedly became extinct at least ten thousand years ago.
There are many such reports from around the world like these. As more creatures are found that were supposed to have become extinct thousands or millions of years ago, the more embarrassing it is to evolution. Creationists, of course, have no problems at all when such creatures are found.
Mkele Memembe could be a living dinosaur, which, fits with what the Bible says in the book of Genesis: that God created all land creatures—which included dinosaurs—on Day 6, about 6,000 years ago.
For more information on dinosaurs, see AIG website using link in the upper left of this blog.
This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.
Also, natives in the rain forests of Brazil have reported seeing a red-haired creature that some scientists now believe is a ground sloth. These sloths supposedly became extinct at least ten thousand years ago.
There are many such reports from around the world like these. As more creatures are found that were supposed to have become extinct thousands or millions of years ago, the more embarrassing it is to evolution. Creationists, of course, have no problems at all when such creatures are found.
Mkele Memembe could be a living dinosaur, which, fits with what the Bible says in the book of Genesis: that God created all land creatures—which included dinosaurs—on Day 6, about 6,000 years ago.
For more information on dinosaurs, see AIG website using link in the upper left of this blog.
This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.
Friday, June 29, 2007
"I am set for the defense of the gospel"
Once again Sumner Wemp has hit the nail on the head! Don't miss it.
"I am set for the defense of the gospel" Phil 1:17. Paul said it. Now I am saying it.
Why?
There are so many who omit the gospel on the radio, on television, in the pulpit and in tracts and do not even realize it. "They even think they have said it" as Vance Havner said. Learn to be discerning but not divisive. Listen and read carefully and it will shock you how often the scriptural "gospel" is left out. "If our gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost; in whom the god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the gospel should shine unto them" 2 Cor 4:3, 4.
"There are some that would pervert the gospel" Gal 1:7. This is really Satanic. They say "God is too good to send anyone to hell." Others say, "Just do the best you can, that is all God expects out of you." Others say, "There is no hell." They will change their mind when they wake up in hell but it will be too late then!
We can disagree on how to baptize, whether to immerse or sprinkle and I could still fellowship with them. We could disagree on the coming of the Lord before, in the middle or after the tribulation and still fellowship. But not on the gospel. God said, "If they preach any other gospel let them be accursed" Gal 1:8, 9. That is strong language but it is the difference between going to heaven or hell. We must be clear and careful about the gospel. Please do not miss any of these messages.
How to present the gospel
This is what I say to everyone I witness to. "God loves you and proved it. He sent the Lord Jesus, who knew no sin, to suffer and die for our sins, paid our debt in full, was buried, rose again and was seen by hundreds." To leave out that "Christ died for our sins" is the most common error. Then I say, "The whole issue is, did the Lord Jesus pay our debt for sin or didn't He." It is amazing how often people see it and say, "Why, yes He did" and then see them get saved. Doesn't that make sense? Reasonable? More to come.
On this date in 2003, Hamas, Al Fatah and Islamic Jihad called for cease-fire against Israel. Israel is God's people. "they shall prosper that love thee" Ps 122:6. God help those who hate Israel. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem."
"The one who ceases to be evangelistic will soon cease to be evangelical" This has proved to be true for centuries.
"Thank you so much for your message today. I am one of those who have been 'trained' to go out and speak to others. I have a book of apologetics! But of course from this day on I will never use it again! Why, because you are so right. All I have to do is to present the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." He caught it! Hope you do too. "Share the gospel" and let the Holy Spirit do the convicting and converting. It works.
Go to www.sumnerwemp.com All new in a couple of days. Enter drawings. ABC sumner
"I am set for the defense of the gospel" Phil 1:17. Paul said it. Now I am saying it.
Why?
There are so many who omit the gospel on the radio, on television, in the pulpit and in tracts and do not even realize it. "They even think they have said it" as Vance Havner said. Learn to be discerning but not divisive. Listen and read carefully and it will shock you how often the scriptural "gospel" is left out. "If our gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost; in whom the god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the gospel should shine unto them" 2 Cor 4:3, 4.
"There are some that would pervert the gospel" Gal 1:7. This is really Satanic. They say "God is too good to send anyone to hell." Others say, "Just do the best you can, that is all God expects out of you." Others say, "There is no hell." They will change their mind when they wake up in hell but it will be too late then!
We can disagree on how to baptize, whether to immerse or sprinkle and I could still fellowship with them. We could disagree on the coming of the Lord before, in the middle or after the tribulation and still fellowship. But not on the gospel. God said, "If they preach any other gospel let them be accursed" Gal 1:8, 9. That is strong language but it is the difference between going to heaven or hell. We must be clear and careful about the gospel. Please do not miss any of these messages.
How to present the gospel
This is what I say to everyone I witness to. "God loves you and proved it. He sent the Lord Jesus, who knew no sin, to suffer and die for our sins, paid our debt in full, was buried, rose again and was seen by hundreds." To leave out that "Christ died for our sins" is the most common error. Then I say, "The whole issue is, did the Lord Jesus pay our debt for sin or didn't He." It is amazing how often people see it and say, "Why, yes He did" and then see them get saved. Doesn't that make sense? Reasonable? More to come.
On this date in 2003, Hamas, Al Fatah and Islamic Jihad called for cease-fire against Israel. Israel is God's people. "they shall prosper that love thee" Ps 122:6. God help those who hate Israel. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem."
"The one who ceases to be evangelistic will soon cease to be evangelical" This has proved to be true for centuries.
"Thank you so much for your message today. I am one of those who have been 'trained' to go out and speak to others. I have a book of apologetics! But of course from this day on I will never use it again! Why, because you are so right. All I have to do is to present the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." He caught it! Hope you do too. "Share the gospel" and let the Holy Spirit do the convicting and converting. It works.
Go to www.sumnerwemp.com All new in a couple of days. Enter drawings. ABC sumner
Thursday, June 28, 2007
QUOTES OF THE WEEK!
We want to have Brooklyn Christened, but we are not sure into which religion. -David Beckham (referring to his son Brooklyn) [Emphasis mine]
...the universe's lights, contrary to astronomers' hunches, turned on in one great burst. It was as if every chandelier in a mansion were flicked on simultaneously on a moonless night. -Astrophysicist John Bahcall, Interview in Newsweek, Nov. 3, 1997
Isn't the above quote thrilling? The idea that the stars could all be the same age is contrary to Big Bang theory. Seems like it's fizzing to me. Yet the observations we make in science line up with the Biblical truth that God created all the heavenly bodies on Day Four of Creation Week. It also seems like naturalists should begin to wonder "Who flipped the switch?" -John D. Morris, President, ICR
Her (Paris Hilton) parents are relatively clueless. -Dennis Miller
I am beginning to think that understanding Rosie (O'Donnell) and all of her political statements and her blog is an exercise in futility... she would write it in crayon if she could -Mary Katharine Ham (on Bill O'Reilly's show)
...the universe's lights, contrary to astronomers' hunches, turned on in one great burst. It was as if every chandelier in a mansion were flicked on simultaneously on a moonless night. -Astrophysicist John Bahcall, Interview in Newsweek, Nov. 3, 1997
Isn't the above quote thrilling? The idea that the stars could all be the same age is contrary to Big Bang theory. Seems like it's fizzing to me. Yet the observations we make in science line up with the Biblical truth that God created all the heavenly bodies on Day Four of Creation Week. It also seems like naturalists should begin to wonder "Who flipped the switch?" -John D. Morris, President, ICR
Her (Paris Hilton) parents are relatively clueless. -Dennis Miller
I am beginning to think that understanding Rosie (O'Donnell) and all of her political statements and her blog is an exercise in futility... she would write it in crayon if she could -Mary Katharine Ham (on Bill O'Reilly's show)
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD!
JOHN 14:16-27
Pastor Rick Jackson
Before we get to the main part of the message I want to say 3 things.
1. THERE IS ONLY 1 GOD
Dt. 4:35 Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him
Dt. 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
Is. 43:10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
Is. 44:6Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
Mk. 12:29And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
2. THIS 1 GOD IS IN 3 PERSONS
The word "one" in these verses speaks of a compound unity (more than one in the one). Sometimes people come to the Scriptures with preconceived ideas and they try to bend the Scriptures (or "wrest" them as Peter says) to fit their ideas. We should always be open to the Scriptures and let them mold our thoughts and ideas. People sometimes get upset with the teacher or preacher for not following their little narrow view when the truth is right there in the Scriptures. Let me give you some examples of the number one being a compound unity at times.
Gn. 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Gn. 11:6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
Jn. 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
Gal. 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
3. GOD IS ESSENTIALLY ONE AND ALSO IS THREE
God often uses plural pronouns or designations about Himself.
Gn. 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Is. 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?
Jn. 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.
Jn. 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
God is infinite and we are finite. He is not limited as we are.
He has given us the physical example of water (vapor, liquid, solid) to help illustrate the truth of 3 in 1 and 1 in 3 (Father, Son & Holy Spirit).
That brings us to the EMPHASIS of this message, THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD!
If the Holy Spirit is God (and He is) then it goes without saying that He is a person, not a thing. You can grieve the Holy Spirit because He is a person. A "force" or "thing" cannot be grieved.
I. THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS DIVINE ATTRIBUTES
1. He is eternal [Heb. 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?]
2. He is omnipresent [Ps. 139:7-10]
3. He is omnipotent [Lk. 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.]
4. He is Omniscient [Jn. 14:26, 16:13; I Cor. 2:10-11 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.]
II. THE HOLY SPIRIT DOES DIVINE WORK
1. He was active in creation
Gn. 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Job 33: 4The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
2. He was active in Christ's resurrection
Rm. 8:11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Acts 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
3. He gave the Word of God
II Sam. 23:2-3 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS CALLED GOD & MENTIONED AS AN EQUAL WITH THE FATHER & THE SON
Acts 5:3-4 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
1. In the Great Commission
Mt. 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
2. In the Benediction
II Cor. 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
3. In the Declaration of Unity
Eph. 4:3-6 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Pastor Rick Jackson
Before we get to the main part of the message I want to say 3 things.
1. THERE IS ONLY 1 GOD
Dt. 4:35 Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him
Dt. 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
Is. 43:10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
Is. 44:6Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
Mk. 12:29And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
2. THIS 1 GOD IS IN 3 PERSONS
The word "one" in these verses speaks of a compound unity (more than one in the one). Sometimes people come to the Scriptures with preconceived ideas and they try to bend the Scriptures (or "wrest" them as Peter says) to fit their ideas. We should always be open to the Scriptures and let them mold our thoughts and ideas. People sometimes get upset with the teacher or preacher for not following their little narrow view when the truth is right there in the Scriptures. Let me give you some examples of the number one being a compound unity at times.
Gn. 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Gn. 11:6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
Jn. 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
Gal. 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
3. GOD IS ESSENTIALLY ONE AND ALSO IS THREE
God often uses plural pronouns or designations about Himself.
Gn. 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Is. 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?
Jn. 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.
Jn. 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
God is infinite and we are finite. He is not limited as we are.
He has given us the physical example of water (vapor, liquid, solid) to help illustrate the truth of 3 in 1 and 1 in 3 (Father, Son & Holy Spirit).
That brings us to the EMPHASIS of this message, THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD!
If the Holy Spirit is God (and He is) then it goes without saying that He is a person, not a thing. You can grieve the Holy Spirit because He is a person. A "force" or "thing" cannot be grieved.
I. THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS DIVINE ATTRIBUTES
1. He is eternal [Heb. 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?]
2. He is omnipresent [Ps. 139:7-10]
3. He is omnipotent [Lk. 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.]
4. He is Omniscient [Jn. 14:26, 16:13; I Cor. 2:10-11 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.]
II. THE HOLY SPIRIT DOES DIVINE WORK
1. He was active in creation
Gn. 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Job 33: 4The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
2. He was active in Christ's resurrection
Rm. 8:11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Acts 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
3. He gave the Word of God
II Sam. 23:2-3 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS CALLED GOD & MENTIONED AS AN EQUAL WITH THE FATHER & THE SON
Acts 5:3-4 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
1. In the Great Commission
Mt. 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
2. In the Benediction
II Cor. 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
3. In the Declaration of Unity
Eph. 4:3-6 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
look what God did at 4 a. m. this morning
This email from Sumner Wemp was too good to pass up so I'll pas it along! -Rick
At 4:15 this morning, in Los Vegas, I went to get a luggage carrier in the lobby of the motel and check out for we had to get to the airport by 5:30. The lady at the desk had read my tract, "Your Ticket to heaven". When I asked if she went up to the gates of heaven and they asked, "Why should we let you into heaven." which I have found will get the best answer to find our if they are saved.
She replied, "I have tried to be good to people."
When I said, "Suppose someone murdered your mother and said to the judge, I have tried to be good to people, please let me go free? Could or would the judge ed let them go free for that?" "Of course not" she replied and saw how ridiculous her answer was. We need to reason with people. Isa 1:18.
Then I told her how God loved her. This shocked her. She had not heard that before. Sadly, most unsaved people have not! Then I told how the Lord Jesus suffered and died on the cross for our sins, paid our debt in full, was buried, rose again and was seen by hundreds of people. In other words, I just gave her the gospel, the good news. "The whole issue is, did the Lord Jesus pay our debt of sin or didn't He." I have found this to be a big key to people really understanding how to be saved. It was beautiful, she caught it.
"I am married" I said and pointed to my ring on my finger. I am not married because I wear a ring but that preacher asked if I would take this woman to be my wife and made me answer out loud, "I do." Could you right now pray with me and tell God, "I do believe Jesus paid my debt of sin and I receive Him as my Savior too" She gladly prayed to receive the Lord Jesus and literally burst into tears. Suddenly she tried to control her tears and apologized for crying. I said, "Kind lady, don't be ashamed of those tears, they are beautiful." I wish you could have seen her, She began to bawl like a baby because of the peace and joy in her heart. Heaven came down as we both wept together at what God had done. Of course I told the pastor and they are going to follow up.
That is what life is all about. Look for the ones God has ready. Give the gospel, for it is the "power of God unto salvation." Too many try to get to "religious" or too "theological" go into all kinds of things. One preacher told how he always tells them about "original sin" to help get them under conviction. Merciful heavens, we are to give the gospel and let the Holy Spirit do the convicting. He is much better at convicting than we are.
Isn't God absolutely overwhelming to let us have a part in getting people to go to heaven! It humbles you beyond words and fills life with joy unspeakable. Share the gospel with someone today.
"... joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance" Lk 15:7. Therefore "Preach the gospel to every person" Mk 16:15. "How Christ died for our sins, (paid the debt in full) was buried and rose again and was seen by hundreds" 1 Cor 15:1-4. But though we are an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you, let him be accursed" Gal 1:8. Make sense? Have you believed and received Jesus? Do it now.
My tract! Sumner 1-877-872-2871 to order tracts
Give 1 2 every 1 go to http://www.gnpcb.org/product/663575730699 to see and get them.
At 4:15 this morning, in Los Vegas, I went to get a luggage carrier in the lobby of the motel and check out for we had to get to the airport by 5:30. The lady at the desk had read my tract, "Your Ticket to heaven". When I asked if she went up to the gates of heaven and they asked, "Why should we let you into heaven." which I have found will get the best answer to find our if they are saved.
She replied, "I have tried to be good to people."
When I said, "Suppose someone murdered your mother and said to the judge, I have tried to be good to people, please let me go free? Could or would the judge ed let them go free for that?" "Of course not" she replied and saw how ridiculous her answer was. We need to reason with people. Isa 1:18.
Then I told her how God loved her. This shocked her. She had not heard that before. Sadly, most unsaved people have not! Then I told how the Lord Jesus suffered and died on the cross for our sins, paid our debt in full, was buried, rose again and was seen by hundreds of people. In other words, I just gave her the gospel, the good news. "The whole issue is, did the Lord Jesus pay our debt of sin or didn't He." I have found this to be a big key to people really understanding how to be saved. It was beautiful, she caught it.
"I am married" I said and pointed to my ring on my finger. I am not married because I wear a ring but that preacher asked if I would take this woman to be my wife and made me answer out loud, "I do." Could you right now pray with me and tell God, "I do believe Jesus paid my debt of sin and I receive Him as my Savior too" She gladly prayed to receive the Lord Jesus and literally burst into tears. Suddenly she tried to control her tears and apologized for crying. I said, "Kind lady, don't be ashamed of those tears, they are beautiful." I wish you could have seen her, She began to bawl like a baby because of the peace and joy in her heart. Heaven came down as we both wept together at what God had done. Of course I told the pastor and they are going to follow up.
That is what life is all about. Look for the ones God has ready. Give the gospel, for it is the "power of God unto salvation." Too many try to get to "religious" or too "theological" go into all kinds of things. One preacher told how he always tells them about "original sin" to help get them under conviction. Merciful heavens, we are to give the gospel and let the Holy Spirit do the convicting. He is much better at convicting than we are.
Isn't God absolutely overwhelming to let us have a part in getting people to go to heaven! It humbles you beyond words and fills life with joy unspeakable. Share the gospel with someone today.
"... joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance" Lk 15:7. Therefore "Preach the gospel to every person" Mk 16:15. "How Christ died for our sins, (paid the debt in full) was buried and rose again and was seen by hundreds" 1 Cor 15:1-4. But though we are an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you, let him be accursed" Gal 1:8. Make sense? Have you believed and received Jesus? Do it now.
My tract! Sumner 1-877-872-2871 to order tracts
Give 1 2 every 1 go to http://www.gnpcb.org/product/663575730699 to see and get them.
Monday, June 25, 2007
That's What I Believe Too!
For years I have felt the truth you are about to read concerning the Gospel in tracts, sermons, etc. and people have taken offense. I have actually had church members complain because I put the Gospel in every sermon (they've never seen a lost church member?). It is refreshing to have a solid man like Sumner Wemp say the same thing I have thought for a long time.
Question
"What is the gospel? This is a question theologians and Christian leaders love to ask. When they pose it, the implication is usually that no one within earshot has the faintest notion of the answer. I usually come away from such dialogues with feelings of frustration" so says an "authority" on evangelism in his book on evangelism.
The answer
Kind sir, what are you talking about? There is no doubt what the gospel is. God told us very plainly in the inerrant, infallible word of the Living God! "I declare unto the gospel...how that Christ died for our sins, and that He was buried and that he rose again and that he was seen by hundreds of people" 1 Cor 15:1-4. To God be the glory but I have seen thousands saved through telling this good news and this alone. It works.
The danger
It is not being preached even by many Bible believing Bible preaching preachers. As Vance Havner said, "You listen to them and you think for sure they are going to say it but they make a neat detour and never say it. The tragedy is they think they have said it and the people think they said it." Be discerning but not divisive and you will be shocked how it is not given on radio, on television, in pulpits and in tracts. It is scarey!
It is Satanic
"If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, let the gospel of Christ who is the image of God should shine unto them" 2 Cor 4:3-4. He blinds the minds of those speaking and those hearing! As Havner said, "They think they have said it."
God loves you and sent the Lord Jesus, who knew no sin, to suffer and die for your sins, paid the debt in full, rose again and was seen by hundreds. Believe and receive Him
"These things...commit to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also" 2 Tim 2:2
Question
"What is the gospel? This is a question theologians and Christian leaders love to ask. When they pose it, the implication is usually that no one within earshot has the faintest notion of the answer. I usually come away from such dialogues with feelings of frustration" so says an "authority" on evangelism in his book on evangelism.
The answer
Kind sir, what are you talking about? There is no doubt what the gospel is. God told us very plainly in the inerrant, infallible word of the Living God! "I declare unto the gospel...how that Christ died for our sins, and that He was buried and that he rose again and that he was seen by hundreds of people" 1 Cor 15:1-4. To God be the glory but I have seen thousands saved through telling this good news and this alone. It works.
The danger
It is not being preached even by many Bible believing Bible preaching preachers. As Vance Havner said, "You listen to them and you think for sure they are going to say it but they make a neat detour and never say it. The tragedy is they think they have said it and the people think they said it." Be discerning but not divisive and you will be shocked how it is not given on radio, on television, in pulpits and in tracts. It is scarey!
It is Satanic
"If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, let the gospel of Christ who is the image of God should shine unto them" 2 Cor 4:3-4. He blinds the minds of those speaking and those hearing! As Havner said, "They think they have said it."
God loves you and sent the Lord Jesus, who knew no sin, to suffer and die for your sins, paid the debt in full, rose again and was seen by hundreds. Believe and receive Him
"These things...commit to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also" 2 Tim 2:2
Sunday, June 24, 2007
BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE
EXODUS 17:1-6, NUMBERS 20:1-12
Pastor Rick Jackson
Two similar situations. Two requests. Two different answers. Two responses. Two men NOT going to the promised land.
I. WHAT DOES THIS TEACH US ABOUT GOD?
1. GOD IS MERCIFUL [Nm. 20:11]
2. GOD IS HOLY [Nm. 20:12, 23-24; Dt. 32:48-51]
3. GOD IS GRACIOUS [Dt. 32:52, 34:1-7; Mt. 17:1-3; Rv. 15:3]
II. WHAT DOES THIS TEACH US ABOUT SIN?
1. SIN IS A UNIVERSAL PATTERN [Nm. 20:12, Rm. 3:23]
2. SIN IS A SIMPLE PROCEDURE [Nm. 20:12, Proverbs 14:9 Fools make a mock at sin:]
3. SIN IS A COMPLEX PROBLEM [Rm. 14:7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.]
But there is a deeper significance to what Moses did. In both cases, the rock was symbolic of Jesus Christ, as He is the source of the living water of our eternal life. Speaking of Israel’s travels through the desert, the Apostle Paul made this plain when he said: "And did all drink the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ," 1 Corinthians 10:4.
Jesus Himself said to the woman at the well in Samaria: "… Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life," John 4:13-14.
We are also told that Christ only had to make this sacrifice of Himself once: "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God... For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified," Hebrews 10:12, 14.
Jesus was physically struck once in the form of His Passion, and that one offering was all that was necessary to purchase for mankind the gift of everlasting life. From that point on, those who seek Him need only to speak to Him, asking Him to come into their lives, and He will do so. It is all by His grace and mercy, and by our faith in Him. It is not by any work that we might do (Ephesians 2:8-9). Moses violated this symbolism in Numbers 20 by striking the rock, and so he was banished from entering into the Promised Land. (from www.thekingiscoming.com)
Sin is contagious- it infects us and others. It has consequences which are compounded in our lives. It both affects us and has an effect on us. So...
III. WHAT DOES THIS TEACH US ABOUT HOW TO HANDLE SIN?
1. Make your confession [Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy., I Jn. 1:9]
2. Take your chastening [Dt. 3:23-28]
3. Wake your consecration [Eph. 5:8-20]
Don't get stuck between a Rock and a hard place.
Pastor Rick Jackson
Two similar situations. Two requests. Two different answers. Two responses. Two men NOT going to the promised land.
I. WHAT DOES THIS TEACH US ABOUT GOD?
1. GOD IS MERCIFUL [Nm. 20:11]
2. GOD IS HOLY [Nm. 20:12, 23-24; Dt. 32:48-51]
3. GOD IS GRACIOUS [Dt. 32:52, 34:1-7; Mt. 17:1-3; Rv. 15:3]
II. WHAT DOES THIS TEACH US ABOUT SIN?
1. SIN IS A UNIVERSAL PATTERN [Nm. 20:12, Rm. 3:23]
2. SIN IS A SIMPLE PROCEDURE [Nm. 20:12, Proverbs 14:9 Fools make a mock at sin:]
3. SIN IS A COMPLEX PROBLEM [Rm. 14:7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.]
But there is a deeper significance to what Moses did. In both cases, the rock was symbolic of Jesus Christ, as He is the source of the living water of our eternal life. Speaking of Israel’s travels through the desert, the Apostle Paul made this plain when he said: "And did all drink the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ," 1 Corinthians 10:4.
Jesus Himself said to the woman at the well in Samaria: "… Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life," John 4:13-14.
We are also told that Christ only had to make this sacrifice of Himself once: "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God... For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified," Hebrews 10:12, 14.
Jesus was physically struck once in the form of His Passion, and that one offering was all that was necessary to purchase for mankind the gift of everlasting life. From that point on, those who seek Him need only to speak to Him, asking Him to come into their lives, and He will do so. It is all by His grace and mercy, and by our faith in Him. It is not by any work that we might do (Ephesians 2:8-9). Moses violated this symbolism in Numbers 20 by striking the rock, and so he was banished from entering into the Promised Land. (from www.thekingiscoming.com)
Sin is contagious- it infects us and others. It has consequences which are compounded in our lives. It both affects us and has an effect on us. So...
III. WHAT DOES THIS TEACH US ABOUT HOW TO HANDLE SIN?
1. Make your confession [Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy., I Jn. 1:9]
2. Take your chastening [Dt. 3:23-28]
3. Wake your consecration [Eph. 5:8-20]
Don't get stuck between a Rock and a hard place.
THE MEASURE OF GREATNESS
MATTHEW 11
Pastor Rick Jackson
"Be not afraid of greatness: some men are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them." ~ William Shakespeare
One modern wag paraphrased this quote and said, "Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them."
Here's a question for you. Outside of the Lord Jesus, who, in your opinion, was the greatest person to ever live? Noah? Moses? Joshua? Ruth? David? Elijah? Elisha? Esther? Isaiah? Daniel? One of the twelve? Peter, Paul or Mary?
Note one answer which the Lord Jesus Christ would give in verse 11, Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
How can there be none born of woman greater than John and yet the least in the kingdom be greater than him? As always the Scriptures have the answer. Brother Roloff once said, "There is not a question asked in the Scriptures that is not also answered in the Scripture." I have never found that statement to be wrong in my experience and study.
I. WHY THE WORLD OFTEN MISSES GREATNESS
1. THEY HAVE REJECTED THE STANDARD OF GREATNESS [v. 12-15]
2. THEY WANT IT THEIR WAY NOT THE RIGHT WAY [v. 16-17]
3. THEY ARE WILDLY INCONSISTENT & HYPOCRITICAL [V. 18-19]
II. THINGS THAT MADE JOHN GREAT [v. 2-11]
1. HE ENDEAVORED HONORABLY TO SETTLE HIS DOUBTS [v. 2-6]
Mark 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe help thou mine unbelief.
2. HE ENDURED HARDSHIP TO SERVE HIS MASTER[v. 7-9]
II Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ
3. HE ENDEARED HIMSELF TO THE SAVIOUR WITH HIS ATTITUDE [v. 10-11a]
John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
III. THE GREATNESS OF THE LEAST [v. 11]
1. A NEW NATURE WITHOUT COMPETITION [Rm. 7:14-25]
Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
2. A NEW MIND WITHOUT CARNALITY OR LIMITATIONS [Rm. 8:6-7]
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
3. A NEW BODY WITHOUT CORRUPTION [Rm. 8:21-23]
1 Corinthians 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
1 Corinthians 15:50-54 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
Let us strive to be great in the Lord's eyes.
Pastor Rick Jackson
"Be not afraid of greatness: some men are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them." ~ William Shakespeare
One modern wag paraphrased this quote and said, "Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them."
Here's a question for you. Outside of the Lord Jesus, who, in your opinion, was the greatest person to ever live? Noah? Moses? Joshua? Ruth? David? Elijah? Elisha? Esther? Isaiah? Daniel? One of the twelve? Peter, Paul or Mary?
Note one answer which the Lord Jesus Christ would give in verse 11, Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
How can there be none born of woman greater than John and yet the least in the kingdom be greater than him? As always the Scriptures have the answer. Brother Roloff once said, "There is not a question asked in the Scriptures that is not also answered in the Scripture." I have never found that statement to be wrong in my experience and study.
I. WHY THE WORLD OFTEN MISSES GREATNESS
1. THEY HAVE REJECTED THE STANDARD OF GREATNESS [v. 12-15]
2. THEY WANT IT THEIR WAY NOT THE RIGHT WAY [v. 16-17]
3. THEY ARE WILDLY INCONSISTENT & HYPOCRITICAL [V. 18-19]
II. THINGS THAT MADE JOHN GREAT [v. 2-11]
1. HE ENDEAVORED HONORABLY TO SETTLE HIS DOUBTS [v. 2-6]
Mark 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe help thou mine unbelief.
2. HE ENDURED HARDSHIP TO SERVE HIS MASTER[v. 7-9]
II Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ
3. HE ENDEARED HIMSELF TO THE SAVIOUR WITH HIS ATTITUDE [v. 10-11a]
John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
III. THE GREATNESS OF THE LEAST [v. 11]
1. A NEW NATURE WITHOUT COMPETITION [Rm. 7:14-25]
Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
2. A NEW MIND WITHOUT CARNALITY OR LIMITATIONS [Rm. 8:6-7]
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
3. A NEW BODY WITHOUT CORRUPTION [Rm. 8:21-23]
1 Corinthians 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
1 Corinthians 15:50-54 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
Let us strive to be great in the Lord's eyes.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Q: Were dragons just mythical creatures?
A: We’ve all heard of dragon legends—they’ve been collected for generations from different cultures all around the world. Many have thought these are just mythical stories, but the evidence suggests that dragons were real creatures.
Think about this: why do we find Flood legends from cultures around the world? The secular world claims it’s because people down through the ages have seen floods. But many of these flood legends have several elements similar to the account of Noah’s Flood in the Bible. The flood legends are really changed accounts of the original—the one recorded in the Bible—handed down through the ages.
In a similar way, dragon legends are based on encounters with real animals—most likely dinosaurs (a word that had not been coined yet). The legends have likely been somewhat embellished over generations, but they probably refer to real animals that today we call “dinosaurs.” And according to the Bible, dinosaurs once lived in the Garden of Eden—alongside Adam and Eve.
This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.
Think about this: why do we find Flood legends from cultures around the world? The secular world claims it’s because people down through the ages have seen floods. But many of these flood legends have several elements similar to the account of Noah’s Flood in the Bible. The flood legends are really changed accounts of the original—the one recorded in the Bible—handed down through the ages.
In a similar way, dragon legends are based on encounters with real animals—most likely dinosaurs (a word that had not been coined yet). The legends have likely been somewhat embellished over generations, but they probably refer to real animals that today we call “dinosaurs.” And according to the Bible, dinosaurs once lived in the Garden of Eden—alongside Adam and Eve.
This information was provided by Answers In Genesis, an excellent source of material relating to Creation and evolution. Please visit their website using the link in the upper left.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Waitin'
I did what you told me....I sent the email to 10 people like you said.I'm still waiting for that miracle to happen ..
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