John R. Rice Quotes of the Week!

I would read the King James Version. You say it is hard to understand. No, it is not. You have heard somebody talk like that. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want - is that too hard to understand? "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God" -is that hard to understand? "Blessed are the peacemakers" -is that hard to understand? "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son" -is that hard to understand? No. The truth is, if you mean business you can understand the Bible. Read the King James Version. - John R. Rice

What about the Amplified Version, the Expanded Version? All those words are not in the Bible. Those are men's commentaries on the Bible. What about the Living Bible? It is what some man writes down, what he thinks the Bible may have meant. It is not a translation; it is a paraphrase and not reliable. Any paraphrase is only reliable as man's wisdom, and man's wisdom is never as good as the Word of God itself. And that, of course, is part of the trouble with the Revised Standard Version, and the New English translation, Moffatt's translation and many others. Use the King James Version. I have seventeen or eighteen translations, but I use the King James Version all the time. That is by all means the best. - John R. Rice 

A Christian, then, ought to learn to pray all the time, ought to learn to pray about everything. That comes up often in the Bible. Luke 18:1 says about Jesus, "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." He said, "To this end, that men ought always to pray." You mean pray all the time? Yes. That would evidently mean a Christian ought to get where he prays again and again consciously a hundred times or more a day, get to where there is something going on in his prayer life in his heart all the time, crying to God. "He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." - John R. Rice

I Thessalonians 5:17 says, "Pray without ceasing." Oh, we ought to have God so close to us! You don't have to get down on your knees, you don't have to go through a nice, formal preliminary when you talk to your Heavenly Father. You ought to be able to just say, "Lord Jesus, help me." You ought to be able to say, "Thank You, Lord Jesus." You ought to say, "Lord Jesus, give me wisdom now," and, "Lord Jesus, help me." Like Peter, walking on the water. When he began to sink, he said, "Lord, save me!" That is not much of a prayer, but it was to the point and he got himself saved from drowning. Why not set out to pray all the time? - John R. Rice 

You know, asking is prayer. In Matthew 7:7, 8 the Lord said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Prayer is asking. You are not praying if you don't ask. So be sure to make your requests known to God. - John R. Rice

I turn to a New Testament text in II Timothy 3:16, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God" is not quite adequate. What that Scripture in the Greek new Testament says is a great deal stronger than that. We talk about poets being "inspired," etc., but actually that word in the Greek is literally "God-breathed." The Bible is breathed out from God. God breathed out the Bible. All Scripture is God-breathed. That means it is the inspired Word of God, all of it is the very Word of God. - John R. Rice

Somebody may say, "Maybe Luke went along with Paul and Paul told Luke what to write." But the Scripture says, " Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man. . . ." A man didn't say, "Well, I was with Paul," or, "I was with Peter." No, if God didn't give it, it wouldn't be the Scripture. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." God revealed it by the Holy Spirit "in the words. . .which the Holy Ghost teacheth," the Scripture says. That is inspiration. - John R. Rice

Quotes of the Week!

The presence of sin means the absence of joy. David knew that but he tried to dodge it for a whole year. That is the natural way to deal with sin. I wonder how many in the average church are doing the same with no joy and then blame the preacher or church for not "enjoying" the message or the service? There is a high cost for low living. -Sumner Wemp

Next to salvation the most important decisions we make are who we choose as friends. -Evangelist Pete Rice

That's how we always get into the place of God's blessing--- a step at a time--- by faith. -Pete Rice

If we serve Him (Jesus) now, we will reign with Him tomorrow. -Pete Rice

In salvation GRACE does for us what we cannot do for ourselves. In the Christian life GRACE does for us what we cannot do for ourselves. -Evangelist Chris Miller

If you are in a church where the Word of God is preached and you are unhappy YOU are the problem. And YOU can't get away from YOU because wherever YOU go--- YOU are there! -Pastor Lloyd Streeter

If that didn't bless you--- you're dead. You just haven't fallen over yet. -Pastor Norris Belcher

If you come as you are you'll leave as you came. -Norris Belcher

Prayer moves the heart that moves the hand that moves the world. -Barbara Huffman & Randall Hunley (songwiters)

IT'S PRACTICALLY SETTLED!

COLOSSIANS 3:1-9                                                          

Pastor Rick Jackson

When something is truly settled, there is no reason to whine about it or try to change it. The best thing to do is rejoice in it and learn to accept it and move forward. Many years ago, when it became apparent our automobile was going to give up the ghost the Lord opened the door for us to get the truck we now drive. We wanted to surprise the girls so for several weeks we didn't tell them. Then we made a scheduled trip to Pensacola and surprised them. What good would it have done them to say, "No, I like the old car." Or, "I wanted you to get a lime green vehicle."? None. It was settled. We had the truck, we traded in the car, we got the color we wanted... they only thing to be done is what they did, rejoiced for us, accepted it, and moved on!

Well, we got something much better than a new vehicle and brother, it's settled! And it's settled in three different tenses. And once again, the Bible is practical for our lives.

I. IT'S PAST AND IT'S SETTLED! [v. 1-3]

1. Set your sights [v. 1] Seek "actually means having an urgency and a desire and an ambition" -JVM (like an Olympic athlete)

Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Hebrews 12:2 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.

Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

2. Set your affections [v. 2] phroneo to set one's mind to a thing

Mt. 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

3. Set your reality [v. 3] it's real, it's done, it's settled, reckon it, count on it, act like it!

Think about it! Hid in Christ! If a person was hidden in a bomb shelter built to withstand a nuclear attack they would survive a hit though the "duck and cover" people wouldn't. We are hid in Christ, to hurt us something would have to hurt Him and of course, now, nothing can!

II. IT'S FUTURE AND IT'S SETTLED! [v. 4]

1. Christ is our life now and forever [v. 4, Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.]

2. Christ will appear [v. 4]

Matthew 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

3. Christians will appear with Him in glory

1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Jude 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

III. IT'S PRESENT AND IT'S SETTLED! [v. 5-9]

1. We need to mortify [v. 5-6] "put to death", like a bad appendix must be removed

-fornication- porneian, general term for sexual sins

-uncleanness- impurity, includes thoughts, words, looks, gestures, jokes

-inordinate affection- uncontrolled passion or lust, violent emotions, unlawful impulses, a state of mind that excites passion

-evil concupiscence- evil desires, a passionate desire for things God has set as off-limits (Rm. 1:26)

-covetousness- which is idolatry

2. We need to 'member- we've moved! [v. 7]

3. We need to modify [v. 8-9]

-anger- 0ver the wrong things, may be a covert attitude, habitual attitude

-wrath- unforgiving spirit of anger erupting

-malice- congealed anger, nursed along even after anger & wrath "I don't get mad, I get even"

-blasphemy- misrepresenting God or others with our speech

-filthy communication- abusive and/or filthy speech, coarse language

-Lying- misrepresentation of the truth, implies an intent to deceive

Excerpts from a cat's diary:

Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed Hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow - but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released -and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe... for now....

[author unknown... other than it's a cat]

Excerpts from a dog's diary:

8:00 am: Dog food! My favorite thing!

9:30 am: A car ride! My favorite thing!

9:40 am:A walk in the park! My favorite thing!

10:30 am: Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!

12:00 pm: Lunch! My favorite thing!

1:00 pm: Played in the yard! My favorite thing!

3:00 pm: Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!

5:00 pm: Milk bones! My favorite thing!

7:00 pm: Got to play ball! My favorite thing!

8:00 pm: Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favoritething!

11:00 pm: Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

[author unknown... other than it's a dog]

THE FAITHFUL GOD

DT. 7:9, IS. 49:7, REV. 1:5, 19:11

Pastor Rick Jackson

Solomon wrote "Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?" [Pr. 20:6] It is hard to find a man or woman who is truly faithful before God. But whether we are faithful or not… God is faithful.

I. GOD'S WORD IS FAITHFUL

1. We Have a God We Can Trust [2 Tm. 2:11-13]

 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

2. We Have a Bible We Can Trust [Titus 1:6-14]

Heb. 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Psalm 119:86 All thy commandments are faithful:

Psalm 119:138 Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

3. We Have a Saviour We Can Trust [Heb. 2:9, 16-17]

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

II. GOD'S WAY IS FAITHFUL

1. He Will Save the Repenting Sinner [1 Tm. 1:15]

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

2. He Will Protect the Earthly Saint Lest He Be Overcome [1 Cor. 10:12-13]

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

3. He Will Forgive and Cleanse the Confessing Saint [1 Jn. 1:9]

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

III. GOD'S WORKING IS FAITHFUL

1. He is Our Present Security [2 Thessalonians 3:1-3] He is Not Going to Lose You Now

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

2. He is Our Future Security [1 Th. 5:23-24] He is Not Going to Lose You Later

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

3. He is Our Forever Security [1 Cor. 1:4-9] He is Not Going to Lose You Ever

I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Question of the Week: Why are our kids leaving the church? ⛪

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

Subject: Why are our kids leaving the church? ⛪

 

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John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

You know, it is sad that the world went wrong on baptism. The reason why was that people began thinking you have to get baptized to be saved. The Roman church said, "What about all these babies? We don't want them to go to Hell. Well, we will change baptism and put a little water on the head and count that buried." So they did.
All the old Catholic churches up until the thirteenth century had big baptismal pools for immersion. One was in the old church at Galilee in Nazareth. We saw one in the church of St. John at Ephesus. They went wrong on the doctrine, then went wrong on the way to baptize. - John R. Rice

Anything that Jesus said matters. Whatever He wants is what I want. That is what you ought to want. Baptism by immersion is His way, and that is the way to happiness, and that is the way to a good testimony. Follow Jesus in baptism. He was baptized. Is Jesus our example? Yes. "Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps" (I Pet. 2:21). So we ought to follow the steps of Jesus in everything we can. And one of the examples He gave was to be baptized openly, publicly. - John R. Rice

What ought a Christian to do? Jesus talked about the Bible in Matthew 4:4:
"It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Where did the Bible come from? Every word in the original manuscripts proceeded out of the mouth of God. Man is not to live just by food and digestion and building up his body; he is to feed his soul, too, on the Word of God. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
That is the way for a Christian to be happy. That is the way for a Christian to have what he ought to have. A Christian is to meditate in the blessed Word of God - all of it. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but BY EVERY WORD." Read all the Bible? Yes. Learn it and have it in your heart? Yes. Every word. That is the way to be happy and be a good Christian. - John R. Rice

Do you know what Jesus thought about the Bible? In Matthew 5:17, 18 He said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." How He loved the Bible! No wonder every now and them Jesus said, "The scripture saith," or He said, ". . .that the scripture might be fulfilled." Jesus believed it. There is no way to be a good Christian without taking time every day with the Bible. - John R. Rice

Let me read again 1 John 5:13, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." Do you want to be sure you are saved? Find what God promised and hook your soul on that. Rely on that. You can know you are saved. The assurance of the Word. If God says He gave you everlasting life when you trusted Him, believe it, because He did. If He says He will never cast you out, rely on it. That is the promise of God. The way to know you are saved is by the Bible, not by how you feel. - John R. Rice

There is a sad Scripture on this in Proverbs 28:9, "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." If you turn your heart away from the Bible, then God says your prayers are no good. If you don't like God's Word, God says, "I don't like yours either." So the way to get your prayers answered is to love the blessed Bible, take time to meditate in it, learn it, and then pray. Try to pray in the will of God. Oh, you can do that. - John R. Rice 

Set out to read the Bible through in a year. That would mean read at least four chapters a day. I would not try to do less than that every year. Didn't Jesus say man ought to live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God? Well, some of you never even read it one time. You couldn't possibly obey that Scripture. You can't be a good Christian unless you read the Bible, and read ALL the Bible. - John R. Rice

RULES OF THE SOUTH

A man just moved from Southern California to Georgia and he e-mailed this back to his family. He said they gave it to him at the state line. If you are going to live or visit in the South, you need to know these rules:

1. That farm boy you see at the gas station did MORE work before breakfast than you do all week at the gym.

2. It's called a "gravel road." No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust on your Navigator. Drive it or get out of the way.

3. The red dirt — it's called clay. Red clay. If you like the color, don't wash your car for a couple weeks — it'll be permanent.

4. We all started hunting and fishing when we were seven years old. Yeah, we saw Bambi. We got over it.

5. Go ahead and bring your $600 Orvis Fly Rod. Don't cry to us if a flathead breaks it off at the handle. We have a name for those little 13-inch trout you fish for — bait.

6. Pull your pants up. You look like an idiot.

7. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of mallards (ducks) are making their final approach, we will shoot it (the phone). You might want to ensure it's not up to your ear at the time.

8. No, there's no "Vegetarian Special" on the menu. Order steak. Order it rare. Or, you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the two pounds of ham and turkey.

9. Tea - yeah, we have tea. It comes in a glass over ice and is really, really sweet. You want it hot — sit it in the sun. You want it unsweetened — add a LOT of water.

10. You bring Coke into my house, it better be brown, wet, and served over ice.

11. So, you have a sixty thousand dollar car. We're real impressed. We have a quarter of a million-dollar combine (it's farm equipment) that we only use two weeks a year.

12. Let's get this straight. We have one stoplight in town. We stop when it's red. We may even stop when it's yellow.

13. We eat dinner together with our families. We pray before we eat (yeah, even breakfast). We go to church on Wednesdays and Sundays and we go to high school football games on Friday nights. We still address our seniors with "yes, sir" and "yes, ma'am," and we sometimes still take Sunday drives around town to see friends and neighbors.

14. We don't do "hurry up" well.

15. Greens - yeah, we have greens, but you don't putt on them. You boil them with salty fatback, bacon or a ham hock.

16. Yeah, we eat catfish, bass, bream (pronounced brim) and carp. You really want sushi and caviar? It's available at the bait shop.

17. They are pigs. That's what they smell like (money). Get it — pig farms — income — money? Get over it. Don't like the smell? Interstate 85 goes two ways .Interstate 40 goes the other two. Pick one.

18. Grits are corn. You put butter, salt, and maybe even some pepper on them. If you want to put milk and sugar on them, then you want Cream of Wheat — go to Kansas. That would be I-40 west.

19. The "Opener" refers to the first day of deer season or dove season. Both are holidays. You can get pancakes, cane syrup, and sausage before daylight at the church on either day.

20. So every person in every pickup waves? Yeah, it's called being friendly. Understand the concept?

21. Yeah, we have golf courses. Don't hit in the water hazards. It spooks the fish and bothers the gators...and if you hit it in the rough, we have these things called diamondbacks, and they're not baseball players.

22. That Highway Patrol Officer that just pulled you over for driving like an idiot...his name is "Sir," no matter how young he is.

23. We have lots of pine trees. They have sap. It drips from them. You park your Navigator under them, and they'll leave a logo on your hood.

24. You burn an American flag in our state, you get beat up. No questions. The liberal contingent of our state legislature — all four of them — enacted a measure to stop this. There is now a $2.50 fine for beating up the flag burner.

25. No, we don't care how you do things up North. If it is so great up there, why not stay there?

26. And no, down here we don't have an accent, you do.

In God We Trust.

YA'LL COME BACK! 

BEWARNED, BEWARE AND BEHOLD!

COLOSSIANS 1:23-23                                                      

Rick Jackson

Paul gives us spiritual inoculations with warnings and a "heads up" preventative dose of very strong spiritual medicine!

I. BEWARE THE WORLD [1:23-2:8]

1. The Ignorance of the World [1:23-29]

1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

2. The Enticing Words of the World [2:1-7]

I Jn. 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

3. The Potential of Spoilage from the World [v. 8]

Someone has wisely pointed out, "This world is no friend of grace." And that is true but the flip side of the coin is that this world is an enemy of grace, God and glory!

John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

So here Paul says, "Beware lest any man spoil you..."

-"...through philosophy and vain deceit..."

Someone has said "Philosophy is like the blind man looking for the black cat in the dark room when the cat's not even in there anyway." Anyone who thinks philosophy is the answer is only fooling themselves.

-"...after the tradition of men..."

Mark 7:8-9 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye

-"...after the rudiments of the world..." Making the simple things of the world what you base things on instead of Christ... the world is sinking sand, Christ is the Rock!

II. BEWARE THE RELIGIOUS [V. 16-18]

But it's not just the secularists or the worldly irreligionists Paul warns us about but it's also the religious. Wasn't it the Pharisees and Sadducees who gave the Lord Jesus the most trouble in His earthly ministry? Just because someone is religious doesn't make them Biblical. Some even may invoke the name of Christ but that doesn't make them His servants.

Matthew 7:21-25 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

The religious may try to ensnare you through:

1. Ceremonial laws [v. 16-17]

2. Weird worship [v. 18a]

They thought they weren't good enough to worship God so they would worship angels. They were proud of their humility.

Rev. 19:9-10 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy

Gal. 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

3. Carnal thinking [v. 18b]

(like Cain- thinking they know best) Jude 10-11a But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain,

III. BEHOLD CHRIST!

It should not be thought unusual that to look to Christ is a solution to these problems. Thus has it ever been.

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Hebrews 12:2 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.

Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

1. The Fullness of the Godhead bodily [v. 9] fully God, fully man

2. The Head of All Principality and Power [v. 10]

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

3. The Completer (not the law) [v. 9-13] nautical term, in Him you are ready for the journey!

Galatians 3:1-3 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

"Salvation is not the improvement of the old nature; it is the impartation of a new nature!" -JVMcG

4. Our Conquering Hero [v. 14-15]

Rom. 8:37-39 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

5. Our Commander-in-chief [v. 19-23]

crochet dolls

A man and woman had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared everything. They had talked about everything. They had kept no secrets from each other except that the little old woman had a shoe-box in the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about. For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover. In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoe-box and took it to his wife's bedside. She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box. When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totaling $95,000. He asked her about the contents.

"When we were to be married," she said, "my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll." The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with happiness.

Honey," he said, "that explains the dolls, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?"

"Oh," she said, "That's the money I made from selling the dolls."

One woman, when she heard this story said she had to pray for Wisdom to understand her husband; Love to forgive him; And Patience for his moods; Because, she said, if I pray for strength, I'll beat him to death because I don't know how to crochet.