JEHOSHAPHAT’S HEART

2 CHR.   17:1-5                              

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. HE HAD A HEART FOR GOD [2 CHRONICLES 17:6a]

1. He Separated from the Wrong [v. 6b]

2. He Spread the Word [v. 7-9]

3. He Sought God’s Help [18:1-7, 29-31]

 

II. HE PREPARED HIS HEART [12:14, 30:19]

1. He Received Rebuke [2 Chr. 19:1-3, Proverbs 12:1]

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

2. He Brought People Back to God [2 Chr. 19:4, 7:14]

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

3. He Encouraged Leaders to be Men of God [2 Chr. 19:5-11]

 

III. HE ILLUSTRATES OUR SITUATION [2 CHR.]

1. He Made Some Major Mistakes [18:1-3, 29; 19:2; 20:35-37]

2. God Knows Our Hearts [1:11; 6:8, 30]

-And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart…

-But the LORD said to David my father, Forasmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart

-Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)

3. God Wants All of Our Hearts [6:38-39; 16:9, Mk. 12:28-30]

-If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul … Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee.

-For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

- And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

THE OLD RUGGED CROSS

Galatians 6:12-14

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE CROSS IS A SYMBOL

1. Of Sin [Galatians 3:1, 10-13]

-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?

-For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

2. Of Submission [Phil. 2:5-8]

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

3. Of Salvation [1 Corinthians 1:18]

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

 

II. THE CROSS IS A PLACE

1. The Place of the Saviour [Heb. 12:2-3]

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. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

2. The Place for Sinners [Lk. 23:32-33]

And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

3. The Place of Satisfaction [Rm. 3:24-26]

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

 

III. THE CROSS IS!

1. The Subject of Our Preaching [1 Cor. 1:17-24]

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock , and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

2. The Station of Our Glory [Galatians 6:14]

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

3. The Standard for Our Dedication [Luke 9:23, Gal. 2:20]

- And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily , and follow me.

-I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

 

BEING KNOWN

PROV. 20:11

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

Pastor Rick Jackson

Everyone is known, to some degree, for something. Some are known for more than one thing, but often one thing is enough. Michael Jordan? Elvis? Pelosi? Noah? Lincoln? Fanny Crosby? What if I called out your name?

I. YOU WILL BE KNOWN FOR YOUR TESTIMONY

1. This Includes Your Doings [Pr. 20:11, Isaiah 1:16, Jeremiah 21:14]

- Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

- But I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, saith the LORD

2. This Includes Your Sayings [Mt. 12:33-35]

- Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

3. This Includes Your Moderation [Phil. 4:5]

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

 

II. DON’T BE KNOWN FOR SIN! [Hitler, Jack the Ripper, Judas Iscariot]

1. Satan is known for his Rebellion [Jn. 8:44]

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

2. Cain is Known For Murder [1 Jn. 3:12]

Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

3. Demas is Known for Forsaking Paul [2 Tm. 4:10]

For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica

 

Don’t let your sin overshadow the rest of your life

 

III. BE KNOWN FOR YOUR FAITH [Heb. 11]

1. Have Faith in God [1 Th. 1:8, Mk. 11:22]

-For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

- And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

2. Have Faith in Christ [Jn. 14:1]

3. Have Faith in God’s Word [Rm. 10:13-17]

 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

OH, HE’S UP!

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. UP LITERALLY

1. Up on the Cross He Paid our Debt [John 3:14-16, 12:32-33]

- And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

-And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.

2. Up From the Grave [Acts 2:24, 10:40, 13:33]

-Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

-Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly

-God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

3. Up from the Earth [Acts 1:1-2, 9-11, 22]

-The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up,

- And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up , behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

-Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

 

II. HIGH AND LIFTED UP [Isaiah 6:1]

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

1. He’s Raised Up of God [Acts 3:22, 26; 5:30]

-For Moses truly said unto the fathers , A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

-Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

-The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

2. He’s Up on His Father’s Throne [Mark 16:19, Acts 2:30

-So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

-Therefore [David] being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

3. He’s Ascended Up to Heaven [John 3:13]

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

 

III. HE’S UP AND AT ‘EM [and I say this reverently]

1. He is the Lifter Up of my Head [Ps. 3:1-3ff.]

LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

2. He is the Upper Taker [John 6:44, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17]

-No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

- 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.

3. He is Up Against His Enemies [Psalm 68:1]

Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.

THE CORONER’S REPORT

Mark 15:43-45

Adapted from Hyman Appelman by Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. WHAT WAS A CENTURION?

1. A Man of Accomplishment [Acts 23:23, captain of 100 men]

And he called unto him 2 centurions, saying, Make ready 200 soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the 3rd hour of the night;

2. A Man of Authority [Mt. 8:8-9]

The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

3. A Man of Action [Acts 22:25-26, 27:1, 6, 11, 31, 43]

- And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.

II. WHAT DID THE CENTURION SEE?

1. He Saw a Criminal [Luke 23:32-33, 38]

2. He Saw a Character [Luke 23:4, 14, 22, 34]

3. He Saw a Conqueror [Luke 23:37-39, 46, Jn. 19:30] “It is finished!”

 

III. WHAT DID THE CENTURION REPORT?

1. He Reported Jesus was a Righteous Man [Luke 23:47, John 17:25 “O righteous Father”]

2. He Reported Jesus was the Son of God [Mt. 27:54]

- Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

3. He Glorified God with What his Report [Lk. 23:46-47, Rm. 15:9]

And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

UNFORGETTABLE

LUKE 10:38-42

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. SHE SAT AT JESUS FEET TO LEARN [Lk. 10:38-42]

1. The Word of God Should be Heard [v. 39, Jer. 31:10]

Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off… [almost 40 times]

2. The Word of God is Needful [v. 40-42a, Rm. 10:17]

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

3. The Word of God is Good [v. 42b, 2 Tm. 2:21, 3:16-17]

-If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

-All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

 

II. SHE FELL AT JESUS’ FEET TO GRIEVE [Jn. 11:28-45]

1. Jesus Calls Us to Come to Him in Our Hour of Grief [v. 28-31]

2. Jesus Calls us to Worship Him in Our Hour of Grief [v. 32, 2 Sam. 12:20]

Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.

3. Jesus Calls us to Comfort Us in Our Hour of Grief [v. 33-45, Jn. 14:1, 26-28, Rm. 15:4]

- Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

- But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me , ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

- For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

 

III. SHE KNELT AT JESUS’ FEET TO WORSHIP [Jn. 12:1-8]

1. She Gave Her Best [v. 1-3]

2. She Gave It All [v. 3]

3. She Gave it Willingly, Knowingly & Purposefully [v. 4-8, Mt. 26:13 – from whence we get the title]

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

FATHER, INTO THY HANDS I COMMEND MY SPIRIT

LUKE 23:44-46, 24:1-8

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE RELATIONSHIP RESTORED [v. 46] “Father…”

1. Reestablishes the Fellowship Broken by Christ’s becoming Sin [Lk. 23:34, Mt. 27:46, Lk. 23:46]

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

2. Reaffirms the Payment was Satisfactorily Made for Sin [Heb. 10:10-14]

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool . For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

3. Recognizes the Path Christ took was Divinely Ordained [Acts 4:27-28, Rev. 13:8]

For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

- the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

 

 II. THE DEITY OF CHRIST DEMONSTRATED [v. 46] “into thy hands I commend My Spirit”

1. The Demonstration of the Scriptures [Ps. 31:5]

Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

2. The Demonstration of the Trinity [Jn. 10:17-18, Romans 10:9, 8:11]

- 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.

- That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

-But 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.

3. The Demonstration of Divine Power [v. 46, Mt. 27:50, Mk. 15:37-39, Jn. 10:17-18, Eccl. 8:8]

-Jesus, when, he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded, up the ghost.

-And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

-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.

-There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death:

 

III. THE DISTINCTION OF DOCTRINES [v. 46]

1. The Way to God Made Clear [v. 45, Heb. 9:24-28]

For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

2. The Direction Christ Travelled Made Clear [v. 46] He was not tortured by Satan for 3 days

3. The Place of Paradise is Made Clear [v. 46, Jn. 14:2, Luke 23:43, 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, Revelation 2:7]

-In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

-And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

- I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

-He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Poem of the Week

I Met the Master Face to Face

by Lorrie Cline

I had walked life's way with an easy tread,
Had followed where comforts and pleasures led,
Until one day in a quiet place,
I met the Master face to face.

With station and rank and wealth for my goal,
Much thought for my body but none for my soul,
I had entered to win in life's mad race,
When I met the Master face to face.

I had built my castles and built them high,
With their domes had pierced the blue of the sky,
I had sworn to rule with an iron mace,
When I met the Master face to face.

I met Him and knew Him and blushed to see,
That His eyes full of sorrow were fixed on me;
And I faltered and fell at His feet that day,
While my castles melted and vanished away.

Melted and vanished, and in their place,
Naught else did I see but the Master's face.
And I cried aloud, "Oh, make me meek,
To follow the steps of Thy wounded feet."

My thought is now for the souls of men,
I have lost my life to find it again,
E'er since one day in a quiet place,
I met the Master face to face.

FOR WE BE BRETHREN

GENESIS 13:1-8

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Sometimes brethren disagree. The old axiom goes, “In major things- unity, In minor things- liberty, in all things-charity.” In Heaven there will be no disagreements. In the meantime, let us learn from the Scriptures some valuable lessons from disagreement, always remembering the words of Abraham, “For we be brethren.”

 

I. ABRAHAM and LOT [Gn. 13]

1. Continue to Care [v. 1-8]

2. Don’t Micromanage [v. 9-12]

Sometimes you must allow the Other to Make Their Own Mistakes

3. Remember the Relationship [v. 8]

 

II. PAUL & BARNABAS [Acts 15]

1. Christians Will Not Always Agree [v. 35-38]

2. Keep Living for Jesus [v. 35, 39-41]

3. Not Always Easy to Know Who is Right- God is the Ultimate Judge [2 Timothy 4:11, 1 Cor. 4:1-5]

-Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

-Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God

 

III. PETER AND PAUL [Galatians 1:15-19]

1. Don’t Fear Men [Gal. 2:1-13, Proverbs 29:25]

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

2. Stand for Biblical Principles Not Personalities

[v. 14-17, 1 Cor. 1:12-14, 3:1-9, 21-23]

3. Don’t Get Angry- Get Right [2 Peter 3:15]

And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

IT IS FINISHED!

JOHN 19:30-20:8              

Pastor Rick Jackson

The Greek word “tetelestai”, here correctly translated, “It is finished!”, had 3 primary uses in Jesus’s day. Each one has a meaning for us.

 

I. THE GOAL IS ACCOMPLISHED- a servant would tell his master “tetelestai” when a task was completed

1. The Pre-redemptive Work was Completed [17:1-4]

2. The Redemptive Work was now Complete [19:28-30]

3. The Post-redemptive Work would be Completed as Well [Jn. 20:8-9, 19-22, 14:1-4, 16:7]

 

II. THE DEBT IS COMPLETELY PAID- Papyri receipts for taxes have been recovered with this word written across them

1. We Owed a Debt We Could Not Pay, He Paid a Debt He Did Not Owe [Rm. 3:23, 1 Pet. 3:18]

- For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

-For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

2. He Paid a Price More Than Equal to the Debt, Yet Many Reject Him [1 Jn. 2:2, Heb. 4:2, 2:3]

-And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

- For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

- 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;

3. The Resurrection is the Stamp of Approval on the Payment Made [Rm. 1:1-4, Is. 53]

- Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

 

III. THE VICTORY IS SECURE- when the war was essentially over, the enemy defeated, the cry was given

1. The Battle Goal Was Clear [1 John 3:8]

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

2. The Victory Has Been Declared [Jn. 19:30]

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

3. The Spoils of Victory have been Shared [Eph. 4:8-13]

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

I THIRST

John 19:16-30

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. JESUS SUFFERED OUR HELL AS ONLY GOD COULD

1. Darkness [Matthew 22:13, 25:30, 27:45]

-Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

-And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

-Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

2. Separation from God [Is. 59:2, John 8:29, Mt. 27:46]

- But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

- And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

- And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

3. Becoming Sin [Isaiah 53:6, 1 Peter 2:24, 2 Cor. 5:21]

- All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

- Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

- 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.

 

II. JESUS SUFFERED OUR HELL AS ONLY MAN COULD

1. No Reputation [Phil. 2:5-7] the mocking, the false trials, the humiliation

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

2. No Escape [Phil. 2:8, John 18:11]

- And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

- Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

3. No Relief [Jn. 6:35, 7:37, Luke 16:24]

- 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.

- In the last day, that, great day of the feast, Jesus, stood and cried, saying, If, any man thirst, let, him come unto me, and, drink.

- And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

 

III. JESUS FULFILLED ALL SCRIPTURE AS ONLY HE COULD

1. He Thirsted for God [Ps. 42:1-2, 63:1]

- As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

- O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

2. He Thirsted for God’s Word to be Fulfilled [Ps. 69:21, Jn. 19:28]

- They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

- After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

3. He Thirsted for Souls [Proverbs 25:25, Jn. 7:37-39]

- As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

- In the last day, that, great day of the feast, Jesus, stood and cried, saying, If, any man thirst, let, him come unto me, and, drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive

 

POSITIVELY NOT

JOHN 14:18-29                         

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. FRET NOT – HE LOVES YOU

 

1. He Wants You [Acts 17:30, 2 PT. 3:9 – the example of Zaccheus, Saul, Judas]

- And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

-The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2. He Died for You [Is. 53:6, 1 Corinthians 15:3, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15]

- All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

-For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

-For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

3. He Lives For You [John 14:19, Hebrews 7:25]

- Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

- Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

 

II. FAINT NOT – HE HOLDS YOU [Ps. 139]

 

1. He Knows Who You Are [v. 1-6, John 10:27]

- My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

2. He Knows Where You Are [v. 7-12, Job 23:10]

- But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

3. He Holds You [v. 10, Jn. 6:37-40]

- 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

 

III. FEAR NOT – HE KEEPS YOU [Ps. 121]

 

1. He Will Help You [v. 1-2, Psalm 54:4, Hebrews 13:5-6]

- Behold, God is mine helper

- Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

2. He Will Keep You [v. 3-6, 1 Pet. 1:3-5]

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

3. He Will Preserve You [v. 7-8, 2 Tm. 4:18] shamar- to hedge about (as with thorns)

-And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?

MARK 15:25-36

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. IT WAS PATHETIC TO SEE

1. The Haters [v. 29-32a]

2. The Ignorant [v. 32b, 35]

3. The Thrill-seekers [v. 36]

 

II. IT WAS PROPHETIC TO A TEE [an expression meaning perfectly, exactly] [Ps. 22]

1. The Place of Sinners [Ps. 22:1-3]

2. The Presence of Scoffers [Ps. 22:4-18]

3. The Power of Salvation [Ps. 22:19-31]

 

III. IT WAS PERSONAL TO ME

1. The Gospel Truth [1 Cor. 15:3-6]

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

2. The Great Truth [Jn. 3:14-16, 15:13; 1 John 4:10]

-And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

-Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

-Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

3. The Gracious Truth [Eph. 2:1-10]

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

WOMAN, BEHOLD THY SON!

 

WOMAN, BEHOLD THY SON!

JOHN 19:25-27

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. HIS MOTHER

1. His Mother’s Place [v. 25]

2. His Mother’s Partners [v. 25, Mk. 15:40]

There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

3. His Mother’s Pain [v. 25, Luke 2:34-35]

And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

 

II. THE SAVIOUR

1. Christ Dying [v. 23-24, 28, 36-37]

2. Christ Divesting [v. 26, 2:4, Lk. 2:48-51, 8:19-21]

- Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come

- And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

- Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

3. Christ Directing [v. 27, 1 Timothy 5:8]

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

 

III. THE DISCIPLE

1. A Man of Courage [v. 25-26]

2. A Man of Compassion [v. 25-26]

3. A Man of Commitment [v. 27, 18:15-16, Mk. 1:19-20, Acts 1:10-14]

-And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple : that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.

- And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

- And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up , behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey . And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

THREE PERSONALITIES IN THE BOOK OF JOB

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE DEVIL DEALS

1. He Rambles Around Looking for Victims [1:7, 2:2, 1 Pt. 5:8]

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

2. He Recognized God’s “Hedge of Protection” [1:10, 2 Chronicles 16:9]

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. – Hanani the Seer

3. He Reasoned Man’s Self-centeredness was his greatest Weakness [2:4-5, Luke 22: 3-6]

Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

 

II. THE RELIGIONIST RECEIVES

1. He May be Religious but He is Not Spiritual [4:12-20, 1 John 4:1]

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2. He Thinks His Opinion is the Truth [8:5-7, 2 Tm. 3:1-9]

3. He Thinks Men of Old had the Answer [8:8-10, 2 Tm. 3:14-17]

 

III. THE SPIRITUAL STAND

1. He Knows Personally the Redeemer [19:25, 2 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. He Knows the Promise of Resurrection [19:25-26, Revelation 20:6]

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

3. He Knows the Power of Repentance [42:1-10, 2 Cor. 7:9-11]

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

TODAY SHALT THOU BE WITH ME

TODAY SHALT THOU BE WITH ME

LUKE 23:33-43

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE PLAN OF SALVATION

1. The Position of Salvation [v. 33-40, Luke 18:13]

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

2. The Person of Salvation [v. 33-42, John 14:6, Acts 4:12, 1 Timothy 2:5]

-Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given 

among men, whereby we must be saved.

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

3. The Pace of Salvation [v. 43, 2 Cor. 6:2]

(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

II. THE PATTERN OF SALVATION

1. The Price of Salvation [v. 33, 1 Cor. 6:20, 7:23, 15:3-4, 1 Peter 1:18-19]

-For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

-Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

2. The Perspective of Salvation [v. 42]

3. The Paradise of Salvation [v. 43, 2 Corinthians 12:1-4]

It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory . I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

III. THE PERFECTION OF SALVATION [v. 43]

1. The promise of a Gentleman – “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee”

2. The Personhood of Grace – “I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be”

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.

3. The Presence of God – “with me” [1 Th. 4:16-17]

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.