ERRORS AND TERRORS

1 SAMUEL 4-5

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. MISTAKES GOD’S PEOPLE MAKE [4:1-5]

 

1. It is a Mistake When God is an Afterthought [4:1-3a]

 

2. It is a Mistake When God is Replaced by Religious Artifacts/rites [4:3b-5, 2 Kings 18:4] Hezekiah & the brass serpent

 

3. It is a Mistake When God’s Man is Ignored While the sons of Satan are Front and Center [4:1, 4; 2:12]

 

II. MISTAKES HEATHEN MAKE [4:6-11]

 

1. It is a Mistake thinking God is Localized [4:6-7]

 

2. It is a Mistake thinking “Gods” are Real [4:8] more later…

 

3. It is a Mistake thinking God can be Defeated [4:9-11] more later…

 

III. “T” IS FOR …

 

1. Trouble [4:12-22]

 

2. Teaching [5:1-5]

 

3. Terror [5:6-12, Josh. 2:9, 2 Cor. 5:11, 1 Pet. 3:14]

 

And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.

Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

But and if ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

GREAT THINGS

PSALM 126:1-3

 

Adapted From J.R. Faulkner by Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. HE HAS LOVED US WITH A GREAT LOVE [Eph. 2:4]

 

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

 

II. HE HAS EXTENDED TO US A GREAT MERCY [Ps. 103:11-12]

 

For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

 

III. HE HAS CONFIRMED TO US A GREAT SALVATION [Heb. 2:1-9]

 

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. 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.

 

IV. HE HAS DEMONSTRATED TO US A GREAT FAITHFULNESS [Lam. 3:22-23]

 

It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

 

V. HE HAS PROMISED TO US GREAT GOODNESS [Ps. 31:19]

 

Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

 

VI. HE HAS GIVEN TO US GREAT PROMISES [2 Pet. 1:4]

 

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

 

VII. HE HAS PROVIDED FOR US GREAT POWER [Acts 1:8, 4:29-31, 33]

 

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

 Over four hundred years ago God had said to Abraham, "For the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full" (Gen. 15:16). Even then the idolatry, the lewdness, the devil-worship, the murderous lives of these people had grieved God years ago. But God gave them another chance. Abraham was not then allowed to take over the land. The cup of iniquity was not yet filled.

But the years have gone by. Sin has done its terrible work. Now God has commanded that the inhabitants of the land be driven out, be killed, and the land, which hundreds of years before was dedicated to a chosen people and for the religion of the true God and for the writing of the Bible and for the coming of the Saviour, must now become the possession of God's people. - John R. Rice

 

Someone said to me recently, "I do not like negative preaching. I think preaching should be positive."
I answered, "You are talking a language not used in the Bible. And the reason is that you have an idea not taught in the Bible." The Bible commands, "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpeter, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins" (Isa. 58:1). We are commanded to "reprove, rebuke, exhort." Jonah was commanded to go to Nineveh, "that great city, and cry against it," and he went announcing the dreadful warning, "Forty days, and Nineveh shall be destroyed." The man who does not fight sin, the man who never makes anybody angry, the man who never offends or contends is not a true servant of Jesus Christ. - John R. Rice

 

It is insisted by some that love is the great rule of action. But they pervert and prostitute the Bible doctrine of love. The Bible says, "Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good" (Rom. 12:9). It is hypocrisy to speak of love as an excuse for disobedience. The true farmer who loves corn hates cockleburs and weeds. The true man who loves his chickens shoots the chicken hawks. True love hates evil and clings to that which is good. True love is selective. The honest, true husband does not love the harlot as he loves his wife. The true Christian does not feel the same fellowship for a child of the Devil as he does for a child of God. - John R. Rice

 

Oh, may God help us to be true! Twenty-seven years ago [this was written in 1961] THE SWORD OF THE LORD was founded. If you read the first issue and read the statement of principles and doctrine across the front page of THE SWORD today, you will find that they are the same. The third issue carried the first of a series of articles on "The Unequal Yoke." I believed and taught then what I believe and teach now. I practiced then what I practice now. I trust that I have grown somewhat in grace and knowledge, but there has been no shift in my great convictions about the historic Christian faith, about paying any price that would please God to serve Him acceptable. Oh, May God give grace so that I do not shift or change with the circumstances! - John R. Rice

 

How are you going to get saved? God loves you and He gave His Son "...that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Aren't you glad God loves sinners? That is the best thing I know about God. He loves righteousness, sure. Pharisees all love righteous people. Worldly people love righteous people. But God loved poor, wicked sinners. He went to all the lengths that a holy God could go to; He took out of Heaven his own dear Son, the fairest Jewel of Heaven, and let Him be born in this world in poverty, live a life of sacrifice and scorn; then God let Him have the bloody sweat of Gethsemane, then Pilate's judgment hall, the crown of thorns, the lash on His back, then up the Way of Sorrows to a hill shaped like a skull and nailed there. He was mocked six hours and God turned away His face and let Jesus die.
Thank God, there is a way of salvation! Thank God, it is all paid! - John R. Rice

 

ONE WHO IS SAVED HAS EVERLASTING LIFE AND CANNOT LOSE HIS SALVATION
You may say, "Oh, but if I don't live right I won't deserve it." Of course not! You never did deserve it. Nobody ever gets saved by deserving it. You didn't deserve it the day you were converted nor one moment since. But Jesus Christ deserved it, and He paid for it, and He promised it, so He gives you everlasting life. - John R. Rice

 

Oh, your children go bad when you follow the ways of the world. If you yoke up with the Devil's crowd, your children will turn out wicked.
How many good men there are who stay in a church where the money goes to support modernism! They know better than that, but they stay.
The Scripture says if one doesn't abide in the Bible doctrine of Christ, you are not to have him in your home, nor in your pulpit, nor to teach in your school. if you do, you will be guilty of his sin and God will hold it against you.
Somebody says, "yes, I know, but my mother was a member of this church." Or, "Well, I must be faithful and loyal to my beloved denomination." But YOU had better first be loyal to Jesus Christ. Yoking up with unbelievers is a way of sin. - John R. Rice

It seems that in recent years there has been more confusion in the minds of the people about Heaven and less understanding of the Bible doctrine concerning that glorious place. For one thing, "isms" and false cults have increased to confuse the mind. Then there has been a great decrease in preaching about death, Hell, Heaven and judgment. Modernism and worldliness have discouraged the flabby, soft-living hirelings of the pulpit in preaching about death and the things which follow death. But you cannot dismiss Hell without dismissing Heaven. You cannot ignore or evade the fate of the unrepentant sinner and teach the saints the glories that await the redeemed of God. The so-called "social gospel" lays stress upon this life, not on the next. In many quarters it is now regarded as very old-fashioned and passé to urge people to prepare to die. Social security, better housing, relief for tenant farmers, better living conditions for the poor, and the care of underprivileged children have occupied so much of the teaching and preaching of these modern days that preachers have left poor, hungry-hearted people ignorant about Heaven. - John R. Rice

THERE IS PREPARATION AND THEN THERE IS PREPARATION

LUKE 22:1-30

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Ever study the wrong information for a test? Prepare for the wrong class? Brought the wrong tools for the job at hand? I mean, you’re prepared- you are just not properly prepared. There is preparation and then there is preparation. Here we find the twelve making preparations and yet they don’t seem to be fully prepared. Just like us…

 

I. THE PREPARATION TO DO EVIL [v. 1-6]

 

1. Influenced by the World [v. 1-2]

 

2. Influenced by the Devil [v. 3]

 

3. Influenced by the Flesh [v. 4-6]

 

II. THE PREPARATION TO DO RIGHT [v. 7-13]

 

1. Make Use of Your Prep Time [v. 7-8] Be ready always, study to shew thyself, Pray without ceasing…

 

2. Make Use of Your Place To Be [v. 9-12]

 

3. Make Use of Your Personal Trust [v. 8, 13]

 

III. THE PREPARATION TO BE RIGHT [v. 14-30]

 

1. Accept the Sacrifice [v. 14-20]

 

2. Acknowledge the Sinful Nature [v. 21-23]

 

3. Affirm the Servanthood [v. 24-30, Rm. 12:1-2]

BOY MEETS GOD

1 SAMUEL 3

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WHAT WILL GOD USE? [v. 1-11]

 

1. God Uses His Word [v. 1-6]

 

2. God Uses Imperfect People [v. 7-8]

 

3. God Uses Surrendered Hearts [v. 9-11] “age” is not the issue, surrender is the issue

 

II. WHAT WILL GOD DO? [v. 11-15]

 

1. God Will Honor His Word [v. 11-13a]

 

2. God Will Deal With Sin [v. 13-14]

 

3. God Will Honor Faith Not Religious Rigamarole [v. 14-15]

 

III. WHAT ABOUT GOD’S WORD? [v. 15-20]

 

1. God’s Word Is Not Always Pleasant [v. 15-17, Revelation 10:10]

 

And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

 

2. God’s Word is Not Given as a Choice Without Consequence, But as a Charge Without Peer [v. 18-20]

 

3. God Reveals Himself Through His Word [v. 18-20, Heb. 11, Ps. 19]

WHAT BIBLE FAITH CAN DO

HEBREWS 11:1-6

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. BIBLE FAITH ENABLES US TO OBTAIN A GOOD REPORT [v. 1-2]

 

1. By Believing the Word of God [v. 13, Rm. 10:17]

 

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

2. By Believing the God of the Word [v. 7, 1 John 5:10]

 

He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

 

3. By Living By the Word of God [v. 8, 39, Romans 6:17]

 

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

 

II. BIBLE FAITH GIVES US A GOOD UNDERSTANDING [v. 3]

 

1. Bible Faith Gives Us A Good Understanding of Creation [v. 3, 2 Pet. 3:3-5]

 

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

 

2. Bible Faith Gives Us A Good Understanding of the Creator [v. 3, Ps. 19]

 

3. Bible Faith Gives Us A Good Understanding of What He Expects of Us [Eph. 4:18, 5:17]

 

Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

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

 

III. BIBLE FAITH ALLOWS US TO PLEASE A GOOD GOD [v. 6]

 

1. Enoch Did [v. 5-6, 13:15-16]

 

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

 

2. Christ Did [Mt. 3:17, 12:18, 17:5]

 

And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

 

3. We Can [2 Tm. 2:1-4]

 

Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

 God had given plain commands, but Saul had disobeyed partly for religious reasons.

A Christian acknowledged to me that he knew the Bible plan was that a born-again Christian should be buried in the likeness of Christ's death and raised in the likeness of His resurrection in Christian baptism, as an open profession of faith. But he said, "My mother was the best Christian I ever saw, and she had me sprinkled when I was a baby. Why, it would be sacrilegious to go back on what my mother did!" Mother instead of God! The church instead of the Bible! The form instead of the substance! Sacrifices instead of obedience! - John R. Rice

Here was one prophet, Micaiah, against four hundred others. Surely God would be with the majority, would He not? No, God was with the one man and not with the majority. Any one man who goes to God directly, not seeking to please men, is more likely to know the will of God than four hundred prophets who serve an idolatrous, wicked king like Ahab! The majority is not always right, and certainly the majority was not right this time! - John R. Rice

And we should remember, too, that the only kind of men God has to use are imperfect men. Dr. J. B. Gambrell, famous Southern Baptist of a generation ago, used to say, "God can hit some mighty straight licks with some mighty crooked sticks." And I am glad that God in mercy puts His treasure in earthen vessels. I am glad that He calls people to preach and counts them worthy who are unworthy, as Paul said he was. - John R. Rice

However great the revival, God will not get the whole world converted. There never was a revival that got unanimous results for God. Jezebel was untouched in the great revival at Mount Carmel and we do not know that Ahab was genuinely turned to God. You who criticize evangelists and say that "the results do not last" are only saying the same thing that people said after the Mount Carmel revival, and that they said after the revival at Pentecost, and after every other great revival that God ever gave. The human race is still a fallen race. Even Christians are carnal and frail. We will never have a revival that will settle things with this human race until Jesus Christ returns and casts out of His kingdom all things that offend. - John R. Rice

 

We suppose that John the Baptist was a Nazarite, a man wholly separated to the Lord, according to the strict standard given in Numbers 6. God likens John the Baptist to Elijah. He comes "in the spirit and power of Elijah." And in the context of all the three Old Testament prophecies which clearly speak of John the Baptist, there is some reference to the Second Coming, so that some godly people feel that John the Baptist may be one of the two witnesses to announce the return of Jesus Christ to reign and the regathering of Israel. I do not know about that, but I know that John was great in the sight of the Lord. - John R. Rice

 

Five minutes after we meet the Saviour it will not matter a penny's worth what all the newspapers said about us or what the important people thought of our lives or ministries. The only greatness that will matter will be greatness in the sight of the Lord! - John R. Rice

 

Once a preacher said to me, "You talk about Satan's opposing God's work and attacking God's workers. I could not say that he bothers me. I am not conscious of direct attack."
I answered, "If you twisted Satan's tail as much as I do, he would bother you! The man whose ministry gets drunkards converted, re-establishes broken homes, and delivers young people from the cursed unbelief of modernism, as God has allowed my poor ministry to do in so many thousands of cases, would be hated by Satan and attacked." - John R. Rice

LUKE 21

 

BACK TO THE FUTURE

 

LUKE 21

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE VIEWPOINT OF GOD [v. 1-4]       

Deep, Detailed and Discerning

 

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

Daring, Decisive & Disturbing

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

3. The Time to Serve is Brief [v. 34-38]

BLESSING OR BELIAL?

1 SAMUEL 2

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. A GRATEFUL MOTHER’S PRAYER [v. 1-10]

 

1. A Prayer of Rejoicing [v. 1-2]

 

2. A Prayer of Recognition [v. 3-5]

 

3. A Prayer of Rest [v. 6-10]

 

II. A MIXTURE OF SONS’

 

1. Sons of Belial [v. 11-17]

 

2. Sons of Blessing [v. 18-21]

 

3. Sons of Bad Parenting [v. 22-26]

 

III. GOD’S MESSAGE TO GRIEVING HEARTS [v. 27-36]

 

1. Unthankful Greediness is Seen [v. 27-29]

 

2. Unstoppable Consequences are Started [v. 30-34, 36]

 

3. Undisputed Champion is Certain [v. 35, Hebrews 2:9-18]

WHAT WILL THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST DO FOR US RIGHT NOW?

ACTS 1:9-11

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Any well-read Bible Christian knows lots of things that the second coming of Christ will do for us when it happens – the new body, the renewing of old acquaintances, the lory of being with Christ and other blessings. But what will the second coming of Christ do for Christians right now? Well, let me share 6 things that Lee Roberson shared with me many years ago on what the second coming of Christ do for Christians right now: THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST WILL:

 

I. GIVE US COMFORT [1 Th. 4:13-18]

 

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. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 

II. OPEN THE BIBLE TO US [2 Tm. 4:1-4]

 

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

 

III. GIVE US AN INCENTIVE TO WITNESS [2 Tm. 4:1, 5]

 

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

 

IV. CAUSE US TO LOVE JESUS MORE [2 Tm. 4:6-8]

 

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

 

V. HELP US TO NOT WORRY [1 Jn. 3:1-2]

 

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. 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.

 

VI. CAUSE US TO KEEP OUR LIVES IN ORDER [1 Jn. 3:3]

 

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 The Gospel was more important than another apostle, more important than angels, more important than any fellowship or any program. the great center for unity is Jesus Christ and the Bible. As D. L. Moody said at the Northfield conference where he invited Christian workers from many denominations, "Let it be understood that our unity here at Northfield is based on the Bible as it is." - John R. Rice

I do not mean that we who are Christians should never weep. I think we should join in the tears of Jesus for a lost world. I do not even mean that a lost sinner should not weep. Surely one who has sinned so grossly and has so long rejected the Saviour ought to be shamed and heartsick over his own sins. So weep if you must, but do not think that tears do anything to buy Heaven, do not think that you mount one more step of the ladder by your tears. The moment the heart gladly takes what Jesus offers he is saved and on the road to Heaven. The moment you take Jesus you have entered into the gate, for He is the door to Heaven, He is the ladder to Heaven, the Peacemaker between man and God. - John R. Rice

Oh, there are blood and tears on the road to Heaven but they are not my blood nor yours. My sinful blood could never buy anything from God. My tears are from such a naturally corrupt heart that God may pity them, but they do not undo all the failures and heart corruption of which I am guilty. Thank God, the atoning blood of Jesus makes me fit for Heaven through the imputed righteousness of Christ charged to my account. - John R. Rice

If you who read this do not know that your sins are forgiven. If you are not a born again Christian, I beg you that here and now you turn to Christ and let Him settle forever the matter of your soul's salvation. I remind you that all is paid. He loves you. Now you have but to put your trust in Jesus. When you deposit money in a bank, you rely upon the bank. Now deposit your soul with Jesus and your soul will be kept more surely than any bank could keep your money. When you are sick, you rely on a doctor to find the disease, to prescribe the medicine and the treatment to get you well. All right, then turn your case over now to the Great Physician, Jesus Christ and rely upon Him. - John R. Rice

One of the greatest sins among Christians is ingratitude. A lack of praise to God for His mercies shows a wickedness of heart. Discontent, fret about the future, complaining of hardships-- these are the marks of unbelief and ingratitude, the marks of one who does not delight in the Lord. there are people who claim to be Christians who often eat a meal without thanking God. And in some homes where there is a little formal prayer there is often no real praise, no glad acknowledgement of God's blessings. - John R. Rice

God had given plain commands, but Saul had disobeyed partly for religious reasons.

A Christian acknowledged to me that he knew the Bible plan was that a born-again Christian should be buried in the likeness of Christ's death and raised in the likeness of His resurrection in Christian baptism, as an open profession of faith. But he said, "My mother was the best Christian I ever saw, and she had me sprinkled when I was a baby. Why, it would be sacrilegious to go back on what my mother did!" Mother instead of God! The church instead of the Bible! The form instead of the substance! Sacrifices instead of obedience! - John R. Rice

Here was one prophet, Micaiah, against four hundred others. Surely God would be with the majority, would He not? No, God was with the one man and not with the majority. Any one man who goes to God directly, not seeking to please men, is more likely to know the will of God than four hundred prophets who serve an idolatrous, wicked king like Ahab! The majority is not always right, and certainly the majority was not right this time! - John R. Rice

NO QUESTION TOO HARD FOR JESUS

LUKE 20

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

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

 

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

 

II. There is No Question About His Destiny [v. 9-19, John 15:1]

 

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

 

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

 

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

 

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

INTRODUCTIONS ARE IN ORDER

 

1 SAMUEL 1

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. INTRODUCING THE MAN GOD POSSESSES [v. 1-8]

 

1. A Foolish Man [v. 1-2, 1 Cor. 1: 26-29]

 

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence

 

2. A Faithful Man [v. 3]

 

3. A Familiar Man [v. 4-8, 1 Corinthians 2:11]

 

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?

 

II. INTRODUCING THE WOMAN GOD PREPARES [v. 9-16]

 

1. She Prayed [v. 9-10]

 

2. She Promised [v. 11]

 

3. She Protested [v. 12-16]

 

III. INTRODUCING THE GOD WHO HEARS AND ANSWERS PRAYER [v. 17-28, Proverbs 15:29]

 

The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

 

1. The Peace of God [v. 17-19]

 

2. The Preparation for God [v. 20-23]

 

3. The Praise to God [v. 24-28]

REBUKED OF HIM

HEBREWS 12:1-5

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE POSITIVITY OF CHASTENING

 

1. The Basis of Chastening is God’s Love [v. 6] not His anger, not cruelty, not hate

 

2. The Profit of Chastening is Ours [v. 10]

 

3. The Product of Chastening is Righteousness [v. 11] equity (of character or act); --righteousness.

 

II. WRONG RESPONSES TO CHASTENING

 

1. Despising It [v. 5, Pr. 12:1] to have little regard for, i.e. to disesteem:--despise.

 

Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

 

2. Faint because of It [v. 5, 3, Galatians 6:9] give up, quit, bail out

 

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

 

3. Rebel at It [v. 15, 1 Sam. 15:23] “the root of bitterness” is an anti-God attitude, a rebellious attitude

 

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

 

III. THE RIGHT RESPONSE TO CHASTENING – REMEMBER

 

1. Remember the Word of God [v. 5, 13:22]

2. Remember Your Relationship [12:6-8]

 

3. Remember the Lord is in Control [12:9-14]

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 This is the richest meat of the Bible, the greatest fact in the Word of God, the sweetest note in the song of angels, the dearest hope of any sinner, the eternal rejoicing of the saints! Christ died for sinners. - John R. Rice

Guilty of treason! The self-wickedness, the rebellion of a heart that will not have God's way, will not have the right way! That is the trouble with every sinner in the world. You wicked rebel against the God who has given you every breath! You ingrate who does not thank the God who has given you every bite of food, who has kept your heart beating-- the One to whom you owe everything! You are a rebel, a spoiled brat who wants his own way! If you are not a Christian that is what is wrong with you. - John R. Rice

One of the first duties of a Christian is to set out day by day to be conscious of God's presence. I would seek it as I read in the Bible. I would open my heart for Him to speak to me. I would take every burden to the Lord. I would confess every known sin. I would draw nigh to God and find how He will draw nigh to you. Every day, "Seek ye the Lord." - John R. Rice

Back when my six daughters were at home, I told them again and again, "If you forget everything else, remember this that your dad said: if there ever comes a time of trouble or heartbreak or when you don't know what to do, call on the Lord." God hears prayer. He hears those in trouble. He hears the orphan. he hears the widow. he hears the oppressed. he hears the poor, the lame, and the blind. - John R. Rice

"Let the wicked forsake his way." That means, forsake your whole outlook. "And the unrighteous man his thoughts." Let the unrighteous man forsake his attitude of mind. Repentance is a translation in the Bible of a little Greek word, metanoia, meaning "a change of mind." It means this: A fellow says, "I was wrong to go away from God, so I will seek Him." He sees that sin is bad, hurtful, and so determines to turn his back on it. That means that I have no right to go on without repenting and so delay my salvation. Repentance is a change of mind - let us say, a change of heart attitude. And so, "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts." - John R. Rice

I do not mean that Peter intended to deny Jesus. No, he had made holy vows, and he meant to keep them. But when one consents to wrong company, then he has already sealed his lips against protest. A preacher may run with modernists, but may say, "They will put no strings on my message." No, he has already limited his own message when he seeks the association and fellowship of those who are enemies of Christ and the Bible. - John R. Rice

What is the basis of fellowship? Is it brotherly love and fellowship? Is it a denominational program? No! the only center of unity that Paul knew was the Word of God itself, the essentials of the Christian faith. There was no room for two doctrines about the atonement, no room for two plans of salvation, no room for differing opinions about the deity of Jesus Christ, the virgin birth, the bodily resurrection, His atoning death. No! If one should come among the Galatians preaching any other gospel, Paul fervently prayed, "Let him be accursed." - John R. Rice

DO YOU KNOW MY JESUS?

LUKE 19

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE SAVIOUR [v. 1-10]

 

1. Of Seekers [v. 1-5, Isaiah 55:6]

 

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

 

2. Of Sinners [v. 6-7, Jn. 1:11-12]

 

He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

 

3. Of Spiritually Lost [v. 8-10, Mark 4:38] apollumi- to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively:--destroy, die, lose, mar, perish.

 

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

 

II. THE KING

 

1. The King’s Journey [v. 11-15]

 

2. The King’s Judgment of His Servants [v. 15-26, 2 Cor. 5:10-11]

 

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

 

3. The King’s Judgment of His Enemies [v. 27-29, Rev. 20:11-15]

III. THE LORD OF GLORY

 

1. The Entrance Foretold [v. 29-40, Zech. 9:9]

 

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

 

2. The End Forewarned [v. 41-44]

 

3. The Emphasis Finalized [v. 45-48]

 

“MY HOUSE” / in his early ministry Jn. 2:13-17] He called the Temple “My Father’s house”/ both, of course, are correct

JOHN R. RICE QUOTES OF THE WEEK

 A curse is on the land that does not execute the murderer. A curse is on the land where innocent blood is shed and not avenged. The captivity of Judah was partly because of innocent bloodshed. Second Kings 24:3 and 4 says:

"Surely at the commandment of the LORD came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did; And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon."

What about the nearly one million innocent unborn murdered every year in America? No wonder American blood stained the soil of Korea and Vietnam! God must have vengeance for innocent blood shed. - John R. Rice [Genesis, pg. 206-207] 1975

Thank God, Jesus is the Way. He said, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

"What church shall I join?" Just join Jesus, then join some church to serve Him. But don't join any church to be saved; join Jesus Christ.

"What way shall I be baptized?" Don't be baptized to get to Heaven; get baptized after you have Jesus and salvation.

"What is the true doctrine?" No doctrine will take you to Heaven. the thing you need to do is come to Jesus and depend on Him. And when you take Him, you have it. - John R. Rice

One may speak against Christ and have forgiveness, but "whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him," we are told. I do not think He means simply saying some word about the Holy Spirit; I think that here the Lord Jesus meant that confrontation when the Spirit presses upon a man's conscience his need, his guilt, his awful danger, and when a man eventually, after long pleading, and after saying "No" many times, at last, so definitely, so deliberately, fights off the Holy Spirit that his will is hardened, his sinful state is congealed permanently, and the Holy Spirit at last, offended, goes away never to warn again. That is the unpardonable sin. - John R. Rice

Oh, these walls of jasper, those foundation stones of precious jewels! Those gates of pearl, those streets of gold! Oh, thou pure river of water of life flowing down from the throne, with the trees of life on either side bringing forth twelve manner of fruit, a fruit every month! Oh, that city where there is no night and no sin, no sorrow, no weeping any more! that city where the roses never fade, where old age never stiffens the limbs and dull the memory and dim the eye! that city where there is no need for the sun, for the Lord God and the Lamb are the light of it! Oh, beautiful, heavenly city prepared for all the saints of God! Heaven is calling. God wants you there, dear sinner. - John R. Rice

When a gift is offered free, you may do one of two things: you may take it gladly and say, "Thank you," or if you hate the one who offers it, you may turn it down- and that is what wicked men do when they reject salvation. But salvation is free, and Jesus knocks at your heart's door today, holding out to you salvation and forgiveness and eternal life and a home in Heaven. Oh, take it, friend, today; it is free! - John R. Rice

There is no use to try to live a Jesus-life without a Jesus-heart. To make New Year's resolutions and try to be good without having God fix the heart is like tying a different kind of fruit on the same old tree and claiming that the crab apple tree is now a Stark's Delicious. To expect to conquer sin and failure and frustration in one's life without a cure for the heart is like a wolf putting on a sheepskin and claiming to be a sheep. - John R. Rice

The poor, dissatisfied woman of Samaria at the well in Sychar had found no satisfaction in her five husbands and then in an affair with a man to whom she was not married. Whoever drinks of that water, like the water of Jacob's well, will thirst again. So, although the apostles could not understand why Jesus would talk to this shabby Samaritan woman, His heart saw her, convicted her, led her to see her sin and her need, and saved her. The compassionate Saviour is always seeking the heart that wants forgiveness and the man who wants a new heart and a new life. - John R. Rice

WELL KNOWN PRAYER “SECRETS”

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. PRAYER IS HARD WORK [Col. 4:2-3, 12]

 

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

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.

 

1. A Work of Co-operation [2 Cor. 1:9-11]

 

But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves , but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

 

2. A Work of Concentration [Lk. 11:1 shows it can be taught and thus learned]

 

And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

 

3. A Work of Patience [Dan. 10:1-14]

 

II. PRAYER IS HEART WORK

 

1. God's Heart Encourages Our Hearts [2 Sam. 7:27]

 

For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.

 

2. Sin Impedes the Process, Righteousness Propels It [Ps. 66:18, James 4:1-6]

 

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 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. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 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. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

 

3. The Heart can be Trained [Ps. 37:4, Rm. 10:1]

 

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

 

III. PRAYER IS HEARD WORK

 

1. We Can Have God's Merciful Attention [Ps. 66:16-20]

 

Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

 

2. We Can Have God's Gracious Attention [Ps. 34:15, 1 Peter 3:12]

 

The eyes of the LORD [are] upon the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their cry.

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

 

3. We Can Have God's Great Answers [Jer. 33:3, Eph.3:20]

 

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

BUNCHES OF TIMES

JOHN 13:1-11

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

While visiting in Tn. many years ago, I asked a man who rarely attended church, “Have you ever trusted Christ, have you ever been saved?” He said, “Yeh, I been saved bunches of times!” You’d think he’d got it right one of those times.

A few years later I heard about a Sunday School teacher, soul-winning lady who worked at a Christian school getting saved - for the third time. In the same meeting another lady made her fourth profession of faith. I had heard her second or third testimony and it sure sounded like they understood that time.

Is this practice of making a new profession of salvation over and over right or wrong? What can be done about it? We will seek to clear up some misconceptions by rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

 

I. THE CARELESSNESS OF A WRONG EMPHASIS

 

1. Feelings over Facts & Faith [Ps. 51:1-12] Feel married during an argument?

 

2. Assuming Sin is Proof they are Lost when they are Backslidden [1 Jn. 1:6-10]

 

3. Continuing as Before their Profession [Eph 4:17ff] Baptism? Restitution? Changing?

 

II. THE CONFUSION OF WRONG EDUCATION

 

1. The Teaching that Salvation can be Lost [1 Pt. 1:3-5]

 

2. The Teaching that Saints can’t commit some Sins [2 Pet. 2:7-9]

 

3. The Teaching of Self-appointed Fruit Judges [Mt. 7:1]

 

“I know you can’t judge but you can examine their fruit and know…” In other words, “You can’t judge but you can judge” [Mt. 7:1 Rice note, v. 15-20=false teachers, v. 21-23=God has to judge concerning salvation. We can judge actions or teachings by the Bible but cannot see the heart]

 

III. THE CORRECTION OF RIGHTLY DIVIDING [2 Tm. 2:15]

 

1. We are Encouraged to be Sure “We” are Saved [2 Cor. 13:5]

 

Did I trust Christ? Who do I doubt? – only 2 possibilities.

 

2. We are Discouraged from Judging Others Salvation except as it differs from the Gospel

 

[1 Sam. 16:7, Mt. 7:1, Rm. 1:16]

 

3. We are Encouraged as Christians to confess & forsake sin to keep fellowship open while realizing the relationship cannot be broken [1 Jn. 1:9, Jn. 6:37-40, 13:1-11]

WHAT IS THAT?

LUKE 18

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THAT WHICH GOD HONORS [v. 1-17]

 

1. God Honors Prayer [v. 1-8]

 

2. God Honors Humility [v. 9-14]

 

3. God Honors Childlike Faith [v. 15-17]

 

II. THAT WHICH CHRIST TEACHES [v. 18-30]

 

1. The Proper Use of Language [v. 18-19]

 

2. The Proper Use of Law [v. 20-22]

 

3. The Proper Use of Life [v. 23-30]

 

III. THAT WHICH BLINDS [v. 31-43]

 

1. Stubbornness [v. 31-34]

 

2. Silence [v. 35-39, James 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.

 

3. Self (unbelief) [v. 40-43, Matthew 13:58] And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.