Wednesday, March 27, 2024

THE BOOK, THE BLOOD, & THE BLESSED HOPE

2 TM. 3:16, 1 Cor. 11:17-34

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Some falsely accuse Bible believing Christians of worshipping the Bible- that is, of course, false. We worship the God of the Book, but as Jesus told the woman at the well, “Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” The worldly practice of observing “good Friday” by many good churches is, for the most part, a carryover from the RCC- much like infant baptism and similar doctrines. The Word of God has a different teaching on these matters.

Paul, in writing to the Corinthians, used the four things we find in 2 Tm. 3:16 over and over. Those things are (1) Doctrine-what to believe, (2) Reproof-what not to do, (3) Correction-what not to believe and (4) Instruction in righteousness-what to do. In chapter 11- he applies them to the Lord’s Supper.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

 

I. THE APPLICATION OF CORRECTION [1 Corinthians 11:17-19]

In this church were some false beliefs that Paul had had to deal with. Heresies that need to be corrected by the Book!

 

II. THE APPLICATION OF REPROOF [1 Corinthians 11:20-22]

Oftentimes when our beliefs our wrong it can cause our actions to be wrong as well. Paul says they were coming together, even as we are admonished to do, but for the wrong reasons and in a wrong way. Paul reproves them.

 

III. THE APPLICATION OF DOCTRINE [1 Corinthians 11:23-26]

Note the reminder about why they were coming together. The emphasis on Christ, His Blood, His Body, His Coming again- our Blessed Hope!

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

 

IV. THE APPLICATION OF INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS [1 Corinthians 11:27-34]

 

Then after what to believe he reminds them what to do. How to approach the Lord’s Table.

Monday, March 25, 2024

THE WOMAN WHO LEFT HER WATERPOT

JOHN 4:1-42                     

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. A WOMAN WOUNDED BY THE WORLD

1. It had made her Curious [v. 1-9]

2. It had made her Cautious [v. 10-14]

3. It had made her Desirous [v. 15]

 

II. A WOMAN WOOED BY THE SPIRIT

1. She Was Evasive [v. 16-18]

2. She was Religious [v. 19-21]

3. She was Receptive [v. 22-26]

 

III. A WOMAN WORKING FOR THE SAVIOUR

1. She was Excited [v. 27-28a, Revelation 2:4]

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

2. She was Evangelistic [v. 28-39]

3. She was Enriched [v. 40-42]

Sunday, March 24, 2024

THY KING COMETH UNTO THEE

ZECHARIAH 9:9

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THY KING COMETH UNTO THEE WITH PURPOSE [Zechariah 9:9]

(500 years before Christ)

1. To the Place of Jerusalem

2. With the Plan of Redemption [1 Peter 3:18]

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:

3. For the Purpose of Salvation [Acts 4:12]

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

4. In Humility [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.

 

II. THY KING COMETH UNTO THEE FOR PRAISE [Matthew 21:1-15]

 

III. THY KING COMETH UNTO THEE IN PREPARATION [Mark 11:1-11]

 

IV. THY KING COMETH UNTO THEE WITH PASSION [Luke 19:35-46]

 

V. THY KING COMETH UNTO THEE FULFILLING PROPHECY [John 12:12-16]

Saturday, March 23, 2024

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 Can Christians make good soldiers? Or to put it the other way around, Can a soldier in war be a good Christian? That answer is that he certainly can if his heart is right with God and if he is in obedience to his government in a good cause. John R. Rice


In West Texas a farmer deacon said to me sadly, "Brother Rice, I am afraid many of the preachers around here are not called to preach. They never have any tears. They never win souls. The services are so dead." But I answered, "Most likely they really are called, but are not anointed to preach." Many a man is called to preach and yet his ministry is dead because he does not have the fire of God in his bones, because he does not have the anointing of God upon him. Or in the language of Jeremiah, the Word has not become a burning fire in his heart, so that he is compelled to speak. - John R. Rice [Great Truths for Soul Winners, pg. 297]


Note that they said [in Acts 1], "THIS SAME JESUS." The Jesus in Heaven is not another but the same. The Jesus who will return for His saints is not another but the same. When He comes again to Jerusalem, Jews will look on Him whom they have pierced (Zech. 12:10). They will ask, "What are these wounds in thine hands?" He will answer, "Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends" (Zech. 13:6). His feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4). Jesus now has hands and feet, the same with which He went away, hands and feet with the marks of nails! And this same Jesus now abides in Heaven with a physical body. I tell you, Heaven must be and is a real, literal, physical place! ― John R. Rice, Bible Facts About Heaven


The God of creation and the God of salvation is likewise the God of judgment. It is only a Bible-denying, fact-ignoring fool who will deny that a just and holy God must punish unrepentant sinners. May wicked sinners everywhere be warned to repent of their sins and seek the mercy of God before His wrath falls, as the book of Revelation foretells that it will. - John R. Rice [The Bible Garden, pg. 116-117]


Listen, the dear Lord wants you. You say, "Brother Rice, I am not ready." Then you had better get ready. Somebody says, "Well, there are hypocrites in the church." Yes, and there are hypocrites at ball games and hypocrites in the supermarkets and hypocrites in the business offices, and hypocrites at the banks. That doesn't keep you from going on doing business with them. Why cut off your nose to spite your face? Are you going to Hell because of somebody you don't like? That is a dishonest and insincere kind of excuse. - John R. Rice [Luke 13, 14; pg. 19-20]


I suggest that you go over your prayer list. Criticize and weigh carefully each item. Are you asking this for a personal, selfish reason? Is it according to the written Word of God? And does the Holy Spirit specially lead you out in prayer for this? If you have given up your own will and if it stands the test of the last two points, then you may with holy boldness storm the gates of Heaven to get the answer to your prayer, and say like Jacob, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me!" (Gen. 32:26) - John R. Rice [How to Get Things from God, pg. 44]


The natural mind is a stranger from God and is not interested in the Bible. And the carnal or undeveloped and untaught and unspiritual Christian is likely to have no taste for the Word of God. A state of disinterestedness in the Bible is an unspiritual state, a state of backsliding and sin. - John R. Rice [Hindrances to Prayer, page 28]

KINGS ON PARADE

2 KINGS 15

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. FIVE NORTHERN KINGS ON PARADE [v. 8-31]

1. Parade Theme- God’s Word is True [v. 8-12]

2. Parade Lesson- Sin Never Satisfies [v. 13-26] nor is sin ever satisfied

3. Parade Rule- Time Doesn’t Determine Success [v. 27-31]

 

II. UZZIAH (Azariah) - THE RISE AND FALL OF A GRAND MARSHALL [v. 1-7]

1. Azariah the Prosperous [v. 1-3, 2 Chr. 26:1-5]

THEN all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah. He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers. Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah did. And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper.

2. Azariah Preparer [v. 4, 2 Chr. 26:6-15]

And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines. And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims. And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly. Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them. Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry. Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's captains. The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred. And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy. And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones. And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.

3. Azariah Prideful [v. 5-7, 2 Chr. 26:16-21]

But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense. And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the Lord, that were valiant men: And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the Lord God. Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the Lord, from beside the incense altar. And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the Lord had smitten him. And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the Lord: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.

 

III. JOTHAM- THE LESSON FROM HISTORY

1. Start Right [v. 32-24]

2. Watch the “Little” Things [v. 35, 2 Chr. 27:2]

And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the Lord. And the people did yet corruptly.

3. Use Success to Serve the Lord [v. 36-38, 2 Chr. 27:3-9]

He built the high gate of the house of the Lord, and on the wall of Ophel he built much. Moreover he built cities in the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers. He fought also with the king of the Ammonites, and prevailed against them. And the children of Ammon gave him the same year an hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. So much did the children of Ammon pay unto him, both the second year, and the third. So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God. Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.

Sunday, March 17, 2024

DON’T FRET, DON’T FEAR, DON’T FORGET

PSALM 37

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. DON’T FRET [v. 1-11]

1. Your Fret is Foolish Considering 

[v. 1-2, 9-10]

2. Your Task is Faith Continually 

[v. 3-8, Mark 11:22]

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

3. Your Future is Fixed Concretely 

[v. 11]

 

II. DON’T FEAR [v. 12-22]

1. Consider What God Says about the Wicked

[v. 12-15]

2. Consider What God Says about the Righteous

[v. 16-19]

3. Consider What God Says about the Future

[v. 20-22]


III. DON’T FORGET [v. 23-40]

1. Live the Life of Delighting 

[v. 23-31]

2. Live the Life of Waiting 

[v. 32-36]

3. Live the Life of Trusting 

[v. 37-40]

Saturday, March 16, 2024

John R. Rice Quotes of the Week

 When Christians pray, they are not TELLING God; they are ASKING Him. Every prayer, to please God, must be offered with a surrendered heart, willing for God to answer in His own way, for His own glory. - John R. Rice [Healing in Answer to Prayer, page 24]


Do not misunderstand me. I do not mean that a Christian will never have trouble. But in trouble he can have the sweetest peace all the time. I do not mean that a Christian will never be sick. But in the sickness he can have the ever-present nearness consciously, of the Holy Spirit. I do not mean that a Christian will never have any problems. But I mean that he can daily take those problems to God and have them settled, without any fret, without any of the unrest that comes from unbelief. A Christian can take his burdens to the Lord and leave them there day by day and have perfect peace. And the only way he can do this is by prayer, regular prayer with supplication and thanksgiving about every problem. - John R. Rice [How to Get Things from God, pg. 13]


For every sinner that will be dragged out of Hell to this last judgment, Jesus died. To every one of them He was offering salvation. Their sins were paid for on the cross. We are told that "He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (I John 2:2). With what agony! what love! what mercy! Jesus provided the way of escape for these sinners at infinite cost to Himself! He did not want them to come to this place of judgment. "As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked" (Ezekiel 33:11). Again we are told that He is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (II Peter 3:9). Jesus came into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." All these have come to this awful moment because they would not take mercy when it was offered, they would not heed when they were called, they would not receive the salvation that was offered. To all these Jesus longed to be Saviour. Since they would not receive Him as Saviour now they must face Him as Judge. - John R. Rice [When Skeletons Come Out of Their Closets, pg. 16]

One of the wonderful things about the love and grace of God is that His arms of compassion are enough to take in the whole world. - John R. Rice [Sword of the Lord, 2-22-2019, pg. 13]

All of us want to think that we are better than others, different from others. But God's Word thunders back that we are no better than others, no different from others, "For there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." - John R. Rice [All Have Sinned, pg. 3]

Lying is a terrible sin and involves decay in character. The man who gets to where he can lie and not rebuke himself but excuse it somewhat, will go further; and a man who would lie, eventually may steal. He has already let down the bars, he has already broken off one corner of his integrity.

"Thou shalt not bear false witness. . . . " To be deceitful is a terrible thing! - John R. Rice [Favorite Chapters of the Bible, pgs. 77-78]


The Holy Spirit is called "the Comforter" by our Saviour (John 14:16, 26; John 15:26; John 16:7). This "Comforter" is a translation of the Greek word parakletos, meaning "one called alongside." So the blessed Holy Spirit is alongside of every Christian. Better yet, the Saviour said in John 14:17, "Ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." The Holy Spirit dwelled with the apostles before the resurrection. But in the future after Christ was glorified, the Holy Spirit is promised to be within us. So when Jesus rose from the dead, He breathed on the disciples and said, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost" (John 20:22). Now from that time, every saved person has the Holy Spirit abiding in his body. - John R. Rice [How to Get Things from God, pg. 41-42]


And those who sing, "Oh, How I Love Jesus," but do not love him a dime's worth out of a dollar will not get far in their praying. If you cannot trust God to supply your need and to repay you for all the tithes and offerings you bring in for Him, you have not much faith. - John R. Rice [Hindrances to Prayer, page 22]

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE?

2 KINGS 14

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Read the books of 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings and 1 & 2 Chronicles and you’ll discover some material that seems repetitive, because these books sometimes recount the same event from a somewhat different perspective. They all are inspired but like the gospels in the New Testament the Holy Spirit had the writer emphasize different things He wanted to emphasize. That is His prerogative. You also learn that there were good kings and evil kings whose lives are recounted in Holy Writ. Sometimes a king listed as “good” did bad things- sometimes a king listed as “evil” did good things. What was the difference maker? Let’s check out two kings and see.

 

I. AMAZIAH- THE “PRETTY” KING OF JUDAH

1. He was “Pretty” Good [v. 1-4]

2. He Was “Pretty” Tough [v. 5-7]

3. He was “Pretty” Arrogant [v. 8-12]

 

II. JEHOASH- THE “FAIR” KING OF ISRAEL

1. He was “Fairly” Reasonable [v. 9-10]

2. He Was “Fairly” Thorough [v. 13-16]

3. He was “Fairly” Accurate [v. 10, 17-20]

 

III. YAHWEH [JEHOVAH] - THE DIFFERENCE MAKING GOD

1. God Sees [v. 23-24]

2. God Speaks [v. 25]

when anyone listens it makes the difference in their life [Jm. 1:18-19, Rm. 2:8-11, Ga. 5:7, 1 Peter 4:17-18]

-Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

-But unto them that are contentious , and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,  Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;  But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.

-Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

-For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

3. God Saves [v. 26-29]

 
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