Messages

THE WORD THAT TRANSFORMS

Dedicated to my Friend Tammie who asks me Repeated to Write

I believe in the transformative power of the WORD and of the Word and of words. Consequently, I study the Word to learn all I can about the WORD and I speak and share words, so one of my friends encourages me to reduce words from The WORD and Word to writing that others may benefit from what she terms ‘Your inspired words’. So the encouragement is the catalyst for this brief epistle. There have been many great persons who have spoken or even written great transformative and impactful words, among whom were Socrates (who did not write a word), Plato, Aristotle, Saint Thomas Augustine, and William Wilberforce. In more modern times there were William Shakespeare, Thomas Jefferson, John Dewey, William James, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Alex Haley, and the list goes on and on. By the way, great scientists were not necessarily known for the brilliancy of their spoken words and literary writing; however, their works were and are transformational. And Socrates, like Jesus, did not write, except Jesus on one occasion wrote on the ground as he waited for the Pharisees who had no sin to cast the first stone of death on the woman who was caught in the very act adultery.

The most significant WORD in all history is the WORD that became Flesh and lived with people in Judea and surrounding communities in the 1 st Century AD. That WORD we know as Jesus the Son of God. And that WORD was and is transformational in of His own and spoke and speaks transformative Words then and now. It is that WORD that I consider the greatest teacher, preacher, philosopher, revolutionary, contrarian, and doer the world has ever seen and who perhaps was/is not fully known, understood/understand or accepted. And because of His transformative power He is my Hero and my Leader; and that is the reason I try to follow and emulate Him -- The WORD, study the Word and I am willing to go where He sends me. I will share my inspired perspective about this Servant-Leader, who was misunderstood then and is misunderstood now. And by the way, He does not need anyone to defend His actions then nor now. He does require love, trust, loyalty and obedience from His followers. So who was and is this Leader Extraordinaire? Let’s take a look at what He did. It is said that what a person does often speaks louder, clearer and more authentic than what the person says:

1. First mass producer of high quality custom-made wine – At the wedding feast in Galilee, the

2. Trade Teacher – First teacher to spend three and one-half years to develop/upgrade skills of guests marveled at the high quality of the wine he made with water and words a few men from being ordinary fishermen and tax collectors to become men fishers of men

3.  A man who knew more about agriculture and farming than those in the business at the time. He knew that seeds that fell on shallow grounds would spring up quickly and die quickly because their roots had no depth. He knew that those plants that grew among too many weed would be choked to depth. And yes, He knew that those seeds that were planted in good soil would produces abundantly. He also understood that pruning is an important agricultural practice in order to optimize production. Yes, He was a soil scientist and a horticulturalist as well. He also understood that there was no point keeping a nonproducing fig tree for it to take up space and plant food. He understood about plowing; that anyone directing oxen in plowing and keep looking back will plow crooked rows. What an agriculturalist!

4. Naturalist Ophthalmologist -- He understood that the blind could be healed and that as a pharmacist and a soil scientist and chemist, He could make medicine by stirring His saliva with soil to make a natural sight restoring balm. What a Man!

5. Shepherd – He understood/understands the importance of developing relationship with the sheep so that the sheep could/can easily recognize His voice. Furthermore, He understood/understands that if one sheep is lost, He the Shepherd must search for him/her until found and brought back in the fold [herd]

6. Physician/Healer – He used His word “Go show thyself” to heal 10 lepers. And “Take up your bed and walk’ to heal a man who was paralyzed. He used hem of His coat to heal a woman who had a bad blood problem.

6. Trainer of a young donkey [colt] – The first to ride on the young donkey, a colt to break it in

7. Builder – He knew the importance of having strong foundation in building a sturdy house that would withstand heavy rains and wind.

8. Chef and feeder of the masses – He knew/knows how to share food to feed large crowds. He fed 5000 men in addition to women and children using a little boy’s lunch of five small barley loaves and two small fishes. Do we remember His culinary skills in roasting fish for the disciples?

9. Restores of the dead – We remember that He raised Lazarus to life after he had been dead for four days and how He raised the daughter of Jairus the Pharisee, but do we remember how He predicted His own death and resurrection and follow through on both?

Need I  mention other great works that this Leader Extraordinaire has done and continues to do; or are you convinced that this is a Leader who is worth following? This is the Leader who is referenced in John 1: 1, 14. That WORD became flesh and lived among people during His physical sojourn on earth; and lives in the hearts of believers today. He is described as One who went about teaching and doing good. His fundamental teaching was and is that there is one God and we must love Him with our heart, mind and soul; we must love ourselves and we must love our neighbor as we love ourselves. So the two fundamental words by which believers are guided are God and Love. So in a way the WORD embodies God and Love. The WORD is GOD and GOD is LOVE

So how do we learn to love God? This is only possible through the transformative power of the WORD.The WORD/GOD first loved/s us and gave His one and only [Only Begotton Son/the WORD that those who believe  on Him/accept Him are transformed and are able to love God, love themselves and love others. Love is the character of God that is made available to all through the WORD that became flesh, Jesus Christ and may be received and accepted, or ignored or intentionally rejected. If we refuse to accept God’s love which is extended to us through His abundant Grace and Mercy then we are unable to truly love Him to love ourselves appropriately or love others unconditionally.

Yes, the WORD is transformational and He comes to us through His Word – Scriptures, preaching, teaching, conversations, discussions, constructive arguments, visions dreams, sermons, meditation, fasting, praying, and so forth. The Word 9Scripture] will only get to us and through us if our hearts are open and receptive and we are ready to hear with our ears, listen with our hearts and meditate with our minds. And we must be ready to believe what the heart and mind working in cohesion tell us; to exercise a leap of faith. We may respond to the Word with a little faith/belief and allow time and patience for that small amount of faith, as a seed of mustard, to grow and mature over time. We should remember that a farmer does not plant a grain of corn one day and reap an ear of corn the next day or the next week. So it is with growing faith that is activated by the WORD that comes through the Word. Often times we make an error in thinking that we must have that mountain moving faith all at once; however, it is often developed during years of studying the Word. The faith required for accepting the WORD and receiving salvation and transformation may occur once the Word is received and accepted and may be an instantaneous action, such as when listening to a sermon or a song. However, growth in faith must be nurtured through studying the Word, prayers, meditation, etc. and developing closer relationship with the WORD.

The selected transformative work of the Leader Extraordinaire I mentioned previously was done while the Leader/WORD chose to be place-bound, being physically at only one place at a time. Just think of what He can now do through us (Believers) since His Holy Spirit lives in us and empowers us to do ‘greater works than these’/those He did. Why then we (Believers) are not doing life transforming things for our people in such desperate need? I offer this explanation, I am a Sunday School teacher and I have discovered that the more I study each lesson, the better I am prepared the more confidence I have in my prayer that God will help me to teach effectively and the better response I receive from the students. Could it be that we (Believers) are not spending sufficient time in studying and meditating on the Word and in prayer and fasting why we do not seem to be transformational in our efforts to touch and change lives through the Holy Spirit which abides in us?

Our Leader as a Master Teacher, devoted three and one-half years continuously teaching and living 12 men how to transform themselves, from ordinary occupations such as fisher men and tax collectors, to become extraordinary leaders of men and esteem servants of God. He applied experiential learning techniques. He looked for teachable moments to use parables, hyperboles, allegories, rebuke, reproach, coaching, retreat and questioning and answers and so forth to help them to learn, understand and do/implement. Perhaps we as Believers need to spend more time with the WORD and the Word so that we may have better relationship with the WORD and become more knowledge of and better equipped with the Word. Paul, arguably the most effective New Testament Evangelist admonishes to “Study to ourselves approved unto God as workmen who do not need to blame our tool [for bad work]…” Perhaps we are too busy with other duties and responsibilities that those of us who have the awesome responsibility for studying and preaching/teaching do not ‘have’ the time to do what we have been commissioned to do. Perhaps that is one reason that we are not as transformative as we ought to be. After all Jesus did pray that the Holy Spirit would empower the disciples and those who would believe; that the Holy Spirit would protect, sanctify, embolden and bring back to their/our memories those truth they/we learn from the WORD and Word. Clearly, we must take the time to learn the Word if the Holy Spirit is to bring our learning to our memory. Without a firm grip on the WORD and the Word, we Believers are unlikely to be transformative and impactful in our own living and in the lives of others So how is the transformative power applied? First Believers must understand, accept and embrace the fact and reality that we are the agents through which the WORD uses the Holy Spirit for His transformative work in this dispensation. Angels are busy in heaven praising adoring and serving the WORD/God; however, we Believers on earth are commissioned to transform lives through the Holy Spirit and help to get them ready for the heavenly Kingdom. We must daily ask the WORD to forgive, cleanse and accept us as living sacrifices wholly and acceptable so that the Holy Spirit can dwell in us and empower us. We must grow closer to the WORD and the Word and we must carry out the Great Commission in a Spirit-filled, humble and prayerful manner that lives, Churches, communities and nations will be transformed and we will be called blessed of God. THANK YOU!!!

 

Bible Study

Rose Hill # 1 Baptist Church

Highway 31 South
Fayette, Mississippi 39069

 

Rev. Earnest Ford, Jr., Pastor
Rev. Evangelist Franklin D. Jackson, Facilitator

Tuesday, August 14, 2018, 7 P.M.

Outline

1. What is the Bible?

  1. The infallible Living Word of God
  2. God’s Words given by the inspiration of God including the history of God’s people, God’s Laws, prophesies, God’s promises and fulfillment, Jesus the Messiah, etc.

2. Why Study the Bible?

  1. Personal edification [To learn] (2 Timothy 2: 15- 16); Jesus – Search the Scriptures… (John 5: 39)
  2. To help others (Matthew 28-: 19 – 20; Acts 8: 26- 2 Ethiopian eunuch)

3. What is the Value of studying the Bible?

  1. All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine [Strong beliefs that dictate behavior], for reproof [disapproval or rebuke], for correction [correcting or rectifying an error or inaccuracy], for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3: 16 – 17)

4. What are Benefits of Studying the Bible?

  1. Get to know God better and His plan for our lives
  2. Better relationship/fellowship with God
  3. Can change lives
  4. Avoid errors – doctrines, interpretations, prayers, unintentional sinning; receive God’s ongoing guidance; peace of mind

5. How to Study the Bible –Options

  1. Book by Book and Chapter by Chapter
  2. Genesis and Exodus and then Selected Books, such as Mark, John, Job, etc.
  3. Issues and concerns of Bible Study class members
  4. Other options –Using curriculums, such as ‘Becoming a Contagious Christian and Church

6. How to read and interpret the Bible

  1. Promises: Unconditional and conditional
  2. Prophesies: Fully fulfilled, partially fulfilled not yet fulfilled
  3. Facts and occurrences versus parables
  4. Others

7. What would you like to get out of Bible Study?

  1. ______________________________________________________________________________________
  2. ______________________________________________________________________________________
  3. ______________________________________________________________________________________

Pastoral First Sermon

Rose Hill # Baptist Church
Fayette, Mississippi 39069
Saturday, August 11, 2018
5 P. M.
Evangelist Dr. Franklin D. Jackson

1. Introductory Remarks

  1. Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.We are gathered here this Saturday afternoon to give honor, praises, and thanks to God for selecting and appointing another worker in His Vineyard. We join angels in celebrating God’s handy work. Over 2000 years ago, while walking in Judea, Jesus saw the need for additional workers and remarked that the harvest was plentiful but the reapers were few. He asked the disciples to pray to the Master of the harvest for additional reapers. Well, prayers for additional workers for God’s vineyard are still reverberating throughout the world and God is still answering those prayers. So here we are this afternoon giving honor, and thanks and glory to God and giving encouragement to one who god has called to work in His Vineyard.
  2. Special ThanksLet me thank all of you for coming this afternoon, especially Rev Iris Cole-Crosby, Rev Dr. Eli Colenberg, Brothers Isaac Clenberg and A. J. Wyatt all of whom attended my Evangelism Ordination in Virginia last April. In addition, I thank again, Rev. Colenberg for allowing me to give the first night’s message at HBC Revival on July 9th. Special thanks to my Pastor Rev. Ernest Ford, Jr. for organizing this trial Sermon.So my brothers and sisters, tasks this afternoon are to praise God, encourage His Servant, and receive your blessings from God’s message to you. For I have no message of my own. My task is to deliver God’s Message as clearly and truthfully as possible and allow the Holy Spirit to do the rest.
  3. Prayer: Thank God for calling Abram/Abraham at 75 years of age; calling Moses at 80 years of age; calling Isaiah as a young man with unclean lips; calling Jeremiah as a boy who did not know what to say; calling Jesus as a boy at 12 years and again at 30 years of age; calling this servant at an advanced age when many people have retired. Oh God, the harvest is truly plentiful, but the reapers are indeed few. Please open our eyes, our ears, our hearts and our minds so that we will be responsive to Your Holy Word and be guided by The Holy Spirit. Please help this congregation to see less of me and more of Jesus. And help us all to lift up Jesus Christ that He may draw people to Him. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

3. Scripture Passages
John 3: 1 – 5, 16 – 18

4. Context

  1. Adams, Eves disobeyed God perpetrated by Satan
  2. God demonstrates and made love and made Unconditional Promise: striking heel and crushing head (Genesis Chapter 3)
  3. God’s Unconditional promise fulfilled –birth and crucifixion of Jesus Christ
  4. Jesus grows up
  5. Jesus selects His disciples
  6. Jesus turns water into wine

5. Nicodemus a Pharisees and ruler of the Jews meets with Jesus at night to ask about the Kingdom of God

6. The Sermon: God’s Unconditional Love and Conditional Promise (John 3: 16)

“For God so loved the world, that He gave us His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3: 16).

This love (‘agape –Greek, ahaba –Hebrew) is unconditional love. No one earns God’s unconditional love and as the Bible says ‘God is Love’. There is no strings attached to it. What is the nature of this love and to whom is it available? It is the love which originates in the proverbial heart of God and has no boundary. It is the love that transcends time and space.

How is God manifesting His Love to whosoever/humanity? Consider the dismal situation where the world is in darkness and humanity is separated from God because of the sin committed by Adam and Eves and by every person since Adam and Eves is separated from God. The relationship that God intends between Himself and humanity is broken and there is this casein between God and humanity. Not only did Adam and Eve sinned and passed the sin to all humanity.

In addition, Paul reminds us in Romans 3: 23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
John reminds us that “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1: 8) “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him (Jesus) a liar, and His Word is not in us.” (1: 10).

Paul reminds us that “For the wages of sin is death; [but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord].”

The condition of humanity in the proverbial eyes of God is guilty of sin and condemned for everlasting Spiritual death. Yes this was the destiny of humanity when God in His Infinite Love decided to ransom us from the claws of eternal death by paying the wages of sin. We often preach and talk about “For God so Love the World that He gave us His Son…But we often overlook or do not talk much about the depth of God’s faithfulness (Genesis Chapter 3) and the proverbial pains that He must have felt as He sacrificed His Son to rescue humanity from eternal damnation.

Paul puts it this way, “But God committed His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5: 10). Paul goes on to say that God spared not His Son, but delivered Him up for us all…(8: 32).

Furthermore, Paul says “For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the [substitutionary sacrificial] death of His Son, much more being reconciled we shall be saved by His [Jesus’] life. What manner of unconditional love that moves God to offer His only begotten Son as a the substitutionary sacrificial Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world that Whosoever Believeth on Him should have everlasting life.

Do your hearts burn with pains of sorrow mingled with joy of appreciation, gratefulness, and thanksgiving when you think of God’s love and what He endures as He watched his Son hanging on the cross? And what goes through your minds and your hearts as you think of what the sinless, spotless Son of God endured in order to buy your pardon? And what would do or give to show your deep sense of appreciation to Jesus Christ?

Brothers and sisters, please remember that God’s eternal love is unconditional, everlasting, and humanity cannot change that.  Paul puts it this way, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ…? (Romans 8: 35).  “For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things to come.  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8: 38 – 39).

Conditional Promise “Whosoever Believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life”
Well my brothers and sisters, I have good news for you. It is called the Gospel. The good news of eternal life which is available to whosoever believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. It is a conditional promise with one requirement -- believing in Jesus Christ. The whosoever (s) may include all humanity who chooses to accept God’s love regardless of ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, religion, and so forth. Paul reminds us that God is no respecter of persons. (Romans 2: 11). God is ready to accept all who accept His love. Have you chosen to be among the ‘whosoever believe in Jesus Christ’? If you do, stand and say thank you Lord.
It is very important that you understand that although Cod’s love is unconditional, however, eternal life is granted to whosoever believe in Jesus Christ. So what does it mean to believe in Jesus Christ?

Whosoever Will Choir at Samuel Dewitt Proctor School at Virginia Union University

Believing in Jesus ► Everlasting Life
Do you believe in Jesus Christ? You say yes you/ believe. How do know, how do you know that you believe. And you say, nobody knows as you/I know what the Lord has done for you –and I say tell me. And you say He woke you/me up this morning in your/my right mind and started you/me on my way and so on and so forth. And I say if the LORD has been good to you stand and you stand. And God says to you that He is good to people who do not even acknowledge Him. The Bible says that He sends rain for the just and the unjust alike. So brothers and sisters is not only what God has done for you. It is also what you have done for God. The fundamental thing that Jesus ask you to do for Him is to believe in Him. Not just to believe Him, even satan believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and trembles at the Name of Jesus. Jesus told His disciples that “I must do the work of Him that sent me while it is day for the night comes when no man can work. The disciples got excited and asked Jesus, What is the work that we may do it? Jesus replied that the work is to believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? Because your work for Jesus Christ begins with believing in Jesus, not just believing who He says He is. For an example, you may believe that Mr. Donald Trump is the President of the USA, but that does not necessarily mean that you believe in him.
To believe in Jesus you must first know Him. Do you know Jesus? Do you really know Him? How do you know Him? Do you have a personal relationship with Him? If you have a personal relationship with Jesus, you will desire to please Jesus every day and in every aspect of your life. And if you want to please Jesus, you will do what He asks you to do.
Yes my brothers and sisters, you can give me a long list of what Jesus/God has done for you –just today. Can you say what you have done for Jesus? Jesus is calling some of you to greater commitment and higher service. He is calling you to consider if you are doing all you can to expand His Kingdom on this earth. He is calling you to love him with all your heart, soul mind and strength. He is calling you to be part of a new thing in Jefferson County, Mississippi, the nation, and the world. How will you respond to the call?

SERMON AT New Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church Woodville, Mississippi Sunday, September 16, 2018, 9: 00 A. M. By

Rev. Dr. Franklin D. Jackson, Evangelist1. Introductory Remarks

  • Thanks to Pastor Ford and the Church
  • Excited to deliver the message on this important day

2. Prayer for the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit in delivering the message and for accepting ears, hearts and minds of the congregation

3. Scriptures

  • The Lord’s/Disciples Prayer (Matt. 6: 9 – 15 [Focus 14 – 15]
  • Prodigal Son (Luke 15: 11 – 22) [Summarize]
  • Esau forgave Jacob (Genesis 33: 1, 4, 10) [Summarize]
  • Jesus on the Cross: a) “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23: 34), b) To the thief “Truly, I say unto you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23: 43)
  • Stoning of Deacon Stephen: “And they stoned Stephen [Stephen] calling upon God. And cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge”. (Acts 7: 59 – 60)
  • Jesus told Peter “Forgive seven times seventy” (Matt. 18: 21-22)
  • The wicked servant whose forgiveness was revoked (Matthew 8: 23 – 35) [Summarize]
  • Leave your gift at the alter and make-up (Matt. 5: 22 -23)
  • Present your bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12: 1 – 2)

4. Context
The central theme of the Bible is God’s Plan of forgiveness, from the Book of Genesis to Revelation. From the forgiveness of Adams and Eve to our forgiveness today. It is all about forgiveness. You have heard it said that ‘Prayer is the key and Faith unlocks the door’. That is correct, however, Jesus Christ is saying to you to us today, that Love is the Door and Forgiveness is the Ultimate Ticket to the Lord’s Table and to Heaven!

5. THE SERMON
Title: “Love and Forgiveness: The Door and Ticket to The Lord’s Table and to Heaven”
About three or so weeks ago, I preached my trial sermon at Rose Hill # 1 Baptist Church –my Church. The message was taken essentially from a familiar Scripture, John 3: 16. I spoke of the depth of God’s love for humanity that He would sacrifice His perfect, sinless Son to pay the wages of the sins for the world that whosoever believes in Jesus Christ as the Son of God will not perish, but will have everlasting life. We pondered on the extent of Jesus’ suffering on the cross as captured by the hymn writer Charles Wesley, who penned “What did Thy only Son endure, before I drew one breath! What pain, what labor, to secure My soul certain endless death”. We know well the love of God that made Him gave us His only Begotten Son as substitutionary sacrificial Lamb of God which makes it possible and right for Believers to eat from the Lord’s Table today

And we know of the two greatest commandments: 1) Love the LORD the God with all thine heart, soul thy mind and thy strength and 2) Love thy neighbor as thyself.

In today’s message, God wants us to focus on Forgiveness, which is the ticket and mode of transportation to most important ordinance of the Church, Communion/The Lord’s Table and through the narrow gate to Heaven –the Kingdom of God.

Broad Brush Approach: Seed Sower’s Approach
You will recall the parable that Jesus told about the sower who went out and scattered seeds. Some feel in wrong places and came to nothing –zero. Some fell on good fertile soil/grounds and produced many fruits –some 100 folds, some 60 and some 30. They produced. Are you the good, fertile grounds for God’s message to you today? Are your ears, hearts and minds receptive to the message from God?

God is speaking specifically to someone in this Church today. Notice that I did not say in the congregation; I said Church –The Body of Christ, that means all of us from the pulpit to the finance room to the very back of the Church. If I knew the specific person or persons to whom God is directing this message, I would speak to you in person; rather than preaching to you from this pulpit.
As the disciples did at the Last Super, Jesus is asking each of you to ask the question: Is it me/I? The most famous Philosopher Socrates remarked that ‘The unexamined life is not worth living’. Paul the great Apostle puts it this way: ‘But let every man examine himself and let him eat of the table and drink of the cup. (v. 26). For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged by others (v. 31) [1 Corinthians 11: 26, 31] Paul is referring to eating from the Lord’s Table, however, what he says is applicable to our need for self-examination –reading and judging what is within us.
So let the Holy Spirit digs a little deeper into the absolutely necessity for forgiveness. That is for us to receive forgiveness and give forgiveness. We will turn to the verses immediately following the Model Prayer (Matthew 6: 14 – 15) “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Farther forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6: 14-15)

Why does Jesus reminds you, reminds us that we must forgive?
The New Unger’ Bible Dictionary tells us that forgiveness is “One of the most widely misunderstood doctrine of Scripture. It is not to be confused with human forgiveness that merely remits a penalty or a charge”. It goes on to say that “Divine forgiveness is one of the most complicated and costly undertaking, demanding complete satisfaction to meet the demands of God outrage holiness”. Only the sacrificial death of God’s Only Begotten could earn our forgiveness. It is said that the Christian unforgiving spirit prove that we are not indwell by the Spirit of Jesus Christ and that will cause us to lose heaven and to gain hell. It is not the fact that Christians sin that is the greatest block to the Lord’s Table/the Last Super and to passing through the narrow door (Jesus Christ) leads into heaven. Rather, it is the failure to forgive. Paul reminds us that ‘All have sinned and come short of the glory of God’. And as Jesus teaches in Matthew 6: 14 – 15, we cannot receive forgiveness for our sins unless we forgive in a Divine/total and complete manner those who have wronged us. So Christians must develop an attitude and mindset to forgive. This must be a way of life, just as praying always is a way of life. Jesus told Peter, you are to forgive, not just seven times, but seventy times seven (Matthew 18: 21 = 22) – as many times as a person seeks your forgiveness. My brothers and sisters, your danger from eating unworthily from the Lord’s Table and from not being able to pass through the narrow door is not because you have committed many sins, we all have sinned, and rather, it is because you have not forgiven fully those who have wronged you. So when you ask God to forgive you, He will not because you have not forgiven others.

Jesus Christ died on Calvary’s Cross to give you the right and privilege to His Table and to enter heaven through the narrow door, but you are nullifying the work of Jesus by not being willing to forgive.
Jesus demonstrated the type of forgiveness when He was hanging on the Cross and for forgives those who were crucifying Him by calling out to God, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23: 34).He also forgives the thief who was crucified with Him. Jesus told him “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise”

So you say that Jesus is God and He has the divine ability to forgive and to forget sins. That is true. So let us turn to a man who was just like you and me. You all know him as Deacon Stephen, one of the first seven deacons in the early Church at Jerusalem. He was arrested by the Jews because he was preaching that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Jews crucified Jesus, but Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. The stoned Stephen to death, but just before he died, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge [Lord forgive my murderers] and when he had said this he fell asleep. (Acts 7: 59 – 60) We can forgive as Stephen did, if we have the desire to do so. And Jesus reminds us that we must forgive as Stephenson did if we expects God to forgiveness.

Other Examples of Forgiveness

  • Esau and Jacob
  • Joseph and his brothers
  • The Prodigal Son

 

Divine Forgiveness
The forgiveness that Jesus Christ is sharing with you today is Divine and Spiritual. It is not like I am forgiving a loan, but I will never forget what you did for me. It is total and complete and is only possible through a sincere desire to please Jesus and through the endowment of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is asking you, if you have the desire to forgive completely so that you can feel free and excited to eat at The Lord’s Table today, and to strive, on a daily basis, to go through the narrow door that leads to eternal life? Jesus is asking you to search your heart right now and see if there is someone who you have not forgiven for a great wrong or a small mistake. God wants to forgive you for your small mistakes and your sins and transgressions against Him, however, you must use Prayer as the Key and Faith as the Lock and Forgiveness as the ultimate Ticket and Mode of Transportation that allow you to eat at the Lord’s Table today and to strive through the narrow door, Jesus Christ, to enter the Kingdom of God.

Is there someone here today who represents the good and fertile soil on which the seeds this message have fallen and wants to forgive and ask God’s forgiveness? Jesus said if you forgive others their trespasses against you, Your Heavenly Father will forgive your trespasses against Him. Do you want to eat freely and with a clean heart, at the Lord’s Table to day and to strive to enter heaven through the narrow door of Love/Jesus Christ? If your answer is YES to either questions, please stand and let us pray

The Bible reminds us that it was because of God’s Love for us that He gave His Only Begotten Son to die on Calvary’s Cross so that He will forgive those who believe in Jesus that they may have eternal life. We know that God’s Love is unconditional, but eternal life is conditional and is based on God’s forgiveness of our sins. And God’s forgiveness is conditional. It is based on our desire and willingness to forgive those who do us wrong. Yes, brothers and sisters, Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilot, died to pay the wages of our sins so that God would forgive us. God raised Him from the dead for our justification. He ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of God as our Great High Priest and Mediator, interceding on our behalf.

God Wants to Forgive us
God wants to forgive us, but we must first forgive those who have done us wrong. Yes, Prayer is the Key and Faith unlock the door, but Love is the Door and Forgiveness is the Ticket and mode of Transportation that take you to the Lord’s Table today and through the narrow door that into heaven and eternal life. Without forgiveness there can be no salvation. So pray, Father, please help me to completely and fully forgive those who have wronged me, and forgive me for those who I have knowingly wronged and those who I have unintentionally wronged. And Father, please forgive me for my sins and trespasses against You. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen!!!! If you are sincere in this prayer, your conscience is clear and you are ready to eat at the Lord’s Table and to strive to make it through the narrow door into heaven. Amen!!!

Funeral Services: Celebrating the Life of Barzillai Zepheniah McKenzie
(February 28, 1920 –March 3, 2019)

Friendship Baptist Church
Hanover, Jamaica
Thursday, April 4, 2019

 

Remarks by Rev. Dr. Franklin D. Jackson

I am sharing these few remarks because of the seemingly impact they had on at least two individuals who attended the funeral services.

1.Introductory remarks: Recognizing the officiating pastors and other pastors/ministers on the pulpit. Condolences from my home churches -- Rose Hill # 1 Baptist Church at Fayette, Mississippi, and Hollywood Baptist Church at Powhatan, Virginia. Condolences from relatives in the United States –Dr. Dainty Jackson, Dr. Jennifer Jackson, Clareburn Jackson, the Ramsay’s, etc.

2.Brief Tributes: Mr. Bazie, as we called him, was an honorable man; however, he cannot hear us. His body is here with us; but his spirit is with God. He lived a long productive and fulfilling [99 years] because he understood and lived by the admonition of God in Exodus 20, 12 and Ephesians 6: 1 – 3, “CHILDREN, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. HONOUR THY FATHER AND MOTHER; which is the first commandment with promise; THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH THEE, AND THOU MAYEST LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH”. {Ephesians 6: 1 – 3, KJV).

•His good deeds to his father, Pappy Mc and to his mother Miss Julie are well known
•He raised Donald Gregory his nephew as if he were his son
•He rode his bicycle 13 miles to Montego Bay, on a regular basis, to see about his sister Mary and to do carpentry work
•He was a great house builder; he worked on many houses in the District of Friendship. He was an outstanding cultivator/farmer who provided us with quality ground provisions –yams, plantains, sugarcane, coconuts and so forth. You will hear a lot more about Mr. Mc and his goodness and kindness from the other speakers. I want to say a few words to the living among us.

3.To the living in the congregation

A. Those who don’t believe in God or heaven or hell!

The story is told of a man who did not believe in God, nor heaven, nor hell. He died and was well dressed lying on his back in his casket at church. His friend who believed in God looked at him in the casket and smiled. Another friend asked him why he was smiling at a time like this. He simply replied that that it was a pity that the dead friend was so well dressed and had nowhere to go. Supposed there is a God? Supposed there is a heaven? Supposed there is a hell? If I were a Not-yet believer, I would err on the side of caution. One has nothing to lose by believing that there is God, and heaven, and hell, even if they did not exist. But one has everything to gain by believing that there is God, and heaven, and hell if they do exist. On the contrary, a person has everything to lose if God, heaven and hell exist and a person does not believe. Lack of belief will not change the infallible Word of God, the Bible that God, heaven and hell exist. If I were a not- yet- believer, I would err on the possibility that God, heaven and hell exist while I seek evidence to prove one way or the other. The Bible teaches that “All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable (good) for doctrine, for reproof for correction, for instruction in righteousness…” (2 Timothy 3: 16).

The Great Appointment: No regrets accepted: The infallible Word of God reminds us, “It is written unto man once to die, but after that the judgement.” (Hebrew 9: 27). What if there is God, heaven, hell and judgement? If I were a not-yet-believer, I would take my chance of believing where I would have nothing to lose, and everything to gain if there is God, heaven, hell, and judgement.

B. Those who Believe, Receive and Accept -- Jesus call you to:
•Self-examination and reflection
•Love –the New Commandment that you love one another (John 13: 34)
•Forgive and forget the wrongs of others (Matthew 6: 12 – 15)
•Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness [God as the priority] (Matt. 6: 33
•Avoid the love of money, which is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6: 10)
•Live by the teaching of Paul, “For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out. But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6: 7 – 8)
•[Finally] Carry out the Great Commission, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28: 19 – 20).

Those who believe must reflect the life of Jesus Christ and strive to be like Mr. Mack, Mr. Bazie, that others may be blessed through your life and your deed. Family and loved ones be proud of Mr. Bazie and cherish your pleasant memories of him. Blessings and Love today and always!!!

Rev. Dr. Franklin D. Jackson, Evangelist