Wednesday, July 24, 2019

THE STANDARD

Matthew 5:38-48

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE PERFECTION OF GOD

1. His Work [Deuteronomy 32:4]

He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

2. His Way [2 Samuel 22:31, Ps. 18:30]

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.

3. His Word [Psalm 19:7]

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

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

Isaiah 38:3 And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore

II. THE PERFECTION OF GOD WORKING WITH THE CHRISTIAN

1. Positionally through Salvation [Heb. 10:14]

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

2. Practically through Scripture [1 Jn. 2:5, Colossians 1:28, 2 Tm. 3:17-17]

But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

3. Prayerfully through Grace [2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Col. 4:12]

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

III. THE PERFECTION OF GOD WITHIN THE CHRISTIAN [Philippians 3:12]

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

1. Peace for the Mind [Is. 26:3, Philippians 3:15]

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

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

2. Truth for the Heart [Is. 38:3]

And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.

3. Sanctification for the Body [Rm. 12:1-2]

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Monday, July 22, 2019

ARE YOU THINKING HOW YOU THINK YOU’RE THINKING?

MATTHEW 16:1-14

Pastor Rick Jackson

To answer the title question: "Not necessarily." Only the Lord truly knows what is in each heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

We often think we know what is on people's minds or in peoples hearts but even if we have lived with them for decades, as married couples can tell you, we can be wrong. Granted our chances should be higher with those we've known longer but this does not guarantee success. Matthew 16 gives us solid examples of the Lord's ability and our inability in knowing the minds of others, yea, we know not even our own heart sometimes. Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Let us first be reminded of:

I. THE PERFECTION OF CHRIST [v. 15-21]

1. The Perfection of His Person [v. 15-20]

2. The Perfection of His Purpose [v. 21, Lk. 19:10]

3. The Perfection of his Power [v. 21b] "and be raised again the third day."

John 10:17-8 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

II. THE PERCEPTION OF CHRIST [v. 16-23]

We are so imperfect that we can go from spiritual to carnal in less than 1 second. We can go from thinking like the Father wants, to thinking like the Devil wants, to thinking like men without ever realizing we have changed our thinking. Fortunately for us, Christ's perception is also perfect.

1. He knows when we are thinking Godly thoughts [v. 16-17]

2. He knows when we are thinking Devilish thoughts [v.23a]

James 3:13-15 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

3. He knows when we are thinking Carnal thoughts [v. 23b]

Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Did Peter know? Or did Pete think he was on an even keel the whole time? Did the other disciples know? We must be careful about what we perceive to be wickedness in someone else's motives lest our own thoughts be exposed as devilish. Fortunately for us we, as Christians, have:

III. THE PROTECTION OF CHRIST This protection is provided for us in 3 rules:

1. The Rule of Thumb [Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.]

Luke 6:37 Judge not, and, ye shall not be judged: condemn: not, and, ye shall not be condemned: forgive,: and, ye shall be forgiven:

John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

2. The Rule of Gold [Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.]

Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

1 Corinthians 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

3. The Rule of God [Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.]

Sunday, July 21, 2019

KNOWING MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

JOHN 8:31-36

Pastor Rick Jackson

Ain't it funny? The things people say you can know that you can't know (people’s motives=hate crimes bills, hook in the back). The things people say you can't know that you can know --- things like the existence of God, assurance of salvation, the truth of the Bible. Jesus said knowing the truth about Him will set you free... free from fear, free from sin, free from Satan--- free indeed! It's all tied in with knowing God.

1 Corinthians 8:5-6 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

I. KNOWING GOD PERSONALLY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

1. We can Know of God Via Creation [Rm. 1:18-22]

2. We can Know about God Via the Bible [2 Peter 3:5, 15-18]

Many claim to know God but go against His Word. The song "We Are The World" contains these lyrics:

We are all part of gods great big family

And the truth, you know, love is all we need

We are the world, we are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day

So lets start giving

There's a choice we’re making

We’re saving our own lives

It’s true we’ll make a better day

Just you and me

Send them your heart

So they'll know that someone cares

And their lives will be stronger and free

As God has shown us by turning stones to bread

Wait! What? When did God turn stones to bread? Satan tempted Jesus to do that in Mt. 4 & Lk. 4 but Jesus refused! You can know about God from the Bible... not from some pop song.

3. We can Know God Via the Lord Jesus Christ [Jn. 17:1-3]

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

II. KNOWING GOD'S PROVISION MAKES THE DIFFERENCE [1 Tm. 1:12]

1. Knowing Makes Suffering Bearable

2 Knowing Makes Salvation Personable

3. Knowing Makes Security Believable

III. KNOWING GOD'S PERCEPTION MAKES THE DIFFERENCE [Mt. 6:1-5]

If you do what you do to be seen of men, for the praise of men, know this:

1. You will get nothing from God for that "service"

2. You have your "reward" already

3. You are going to be disappointed in this life by men, and in the next life by yourself

Saturday, July 20, 2019

Question of the Week: Apollo 11: Were you there? 🌑

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

Subject: Apollo 11: Were you there? 🌑

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July 20, 2019

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