Month: March 2010

THE CHURCH COVENANT PART 2–MEMORY VERSE: GAL.6: 2

Art Davison THE CHURCH COVENANT 0 Comment
THE CHURCH COVENANT PART 2
MEMORY VERSE: GAL.6: 2
III. INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE COVENANT
A. Proper Spiritual Conduct In The Home
1. Secret or private worship and prayer. Matthew 6:6; 7:7; Luke 18:1
2. Family Bible Study, worship and prayer. Genesis 18:19; Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:7; Proverbs 22:6; 2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15
3. Religious education of children. Ephesians 6:4
4. Salvation of kindred and acquaintances. Matt. 5:14-16; Mark 5:19; Rom. 9:3
B. Proper Spiritual Conduct In The Community
1. Walking circumspectly (carefully and correctly), in the world. Eph. 4:1-3; I Thess. 5:15.
2. Honesty, faithfulness, a good example in conduct. I Pet. 2:12, Heb. 13:21; Phil. 3:16-18
3. Controlling the tongue and anger. Matt. 12:36; Prov. 26:20; 6:16-19; Eph. 4:26
4. Abstaining from the sale and use of intoxicants
a. Abstain from selling intoxicating beverages. I Thess. 5:22; Hab. 2:15
b. Abstain from its use. Prov. 20:1; 23:29-32; Eph. 5:18 Zeal in the work of the Lord. II Cor. 5:20; I Cor. 15:58; John 15:16

5. Zeal in the work of the Lord. II Cor. 5:20; I Cor. 15:58; John 15:16
IV. FURTHER OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE COVENANT

A. A Proper Attitude Toward Fellow Church Members

1. Watching out for their welfare. Gal. 6:2; Rom. 14:7; II Thess. 3:14,15
2. Remember each other in prayer. Heb. 13:18; Eph. 6:18
3. Aiding in sickness and distress. Rom. 12:15; I Cor. 12:26
4. Practicing Christian sympathy. I John 3:17-18; Col. 3:17; 4:6

B. Maintaining Proper Relations With Brethren

1. Be slow to take offense. Prov. 15:18
2. Be ready for speedy reconciliation. I Cor. 6:7; Matt. 18:15,21,22; Rom. 14:19

C. Proper Conditions For Moving Church Membership. [Paragraph 5]

1. Need for earthly home and a church home. Many people move to distant cities and search for a house, but they do not consider a need for a church home until all else is settled. Find out if a good church home is available before moving to that city.
2. It should be an Independent Baptist Church of the same faith and order. Any church will not do. Acts 18:27; Rom. 16:1-2; Heb. 10:25

THE DOCTRINE OF ANGELS–PSALM 68:17; MARK 13:32

Art Davison BIBLE DOCTRINE 0 Comment
THE DOCTRINE OF ANGELS
PSALM 68:17; MARK 13:32
Introduction:

Angel = (Greek) – a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God.
The mythologies of nearly all the ancient nations speak of such beings as angels. In the Bible the angels of God are mentioned from Genesis to Revelations. They are mentioned 108 times in the Old Testament and 165 times in the New Testament.
I. ANGELS ARE ESTABLISHED BY THE TEACHING OF THE WORD OF GOD
A. In the Old Testament
1. Here they are mentioned as being great in number, Psalm 68:17 “The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.”
2. Here they are mentioned as being great in strength, Psalm 103:20, “Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.”
B. In the New Testament,
1. Here the angels are ministering to the Lord Jesus, Matthew 4:11, “Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. God does not share all of His knowledge with them.”
2. Here it is noted that the Lord does not share all of His knowledge with the angels, Mark 13:32, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.”

II. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ANGELS
A. They are created beings, Psalm 148:2, 5, “Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. 5Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.”
1. When were they created? The Bible does not tell us this.
2. How were they created? “for he commanded, and they were created.”
B. They are spirit beings, Hebrews 1:13-14, “But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 14-Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”
“Angels in their ordinary form of being are spirits without physical bodies. This does not, however, deny the possibility of their materialization.” (E. H. Bancroft)
C. Angels are personal beings to whom personal characteristics are ascribed; they are intelligent, voluntary, active and therefore personal agents, 2 Samuel 14:20.
D. Angels do not marry, Matthew 22:30, “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.”
E. Angels do not die, Luke 20:35-36.
F. Angels are swift beings, Matthew 26:53.
G. Angels are powerful beings
1. They have superhuman power, Psalm 103:20.
2. They have delegated power, that is, they are not almighty, but the power that God gives them to accomplish His will, 2 Thessalonians 1:7
H. Angels are glorious beings, Luke 9:26.
I. Angels are numerous beings, Revelation 5:11.

III. THE MORAL NATURE OF ANGELS
A. All angels are created holy
1. God’s character would not allow otherwise, Genesis 18:25.
2. God’s creative work demonstrates the fact, Genesis 1:21.
3. God’s record of their sin demonstrates the fact, Jude 6
B. Many angels are obedient and confirmed in goodness, Matthew 25:31.
C. Many angels are disobedient and confirmed in wickedness, 2 Peter 2:4.

IV. WHAT DO ANGELS DO OR HOW ARE THEY EMPLOYED?
The Greek word “angelos” means “one sent,” “a messenger.” Holy angels then are God’s servants or messengers. They do His will in many ways.
A. Good angels…
1. Are involved in the direct worship of God, Matthew 18:10, “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.” See also Psalm 99:1; Isaiah 6:2; Daniel 7:10.
2. Rejoice in God’s work, Luke 15:10.
3. Execute God’s will, Psalm 103:20.
4. Guide and guard believers, Psalm 91:11; Acts 8:26.
5. Minister to God’s people, Hebrews 1:14.
6. Will accompany Christ at His return, Matthew 25:31
a. They will aid in the separation of the righteous from the wicked, Matthew 13:49,
b. They will aid in the punishment of the wicked, 2 Thessalonians 1: 7-8
B. Evil Angels…
1. Oppose God’s purposes, Zechariah 3:1, See also Daniel 10:10-14.
2. Afflict God’s people, 2 Corinthians 12:7.
3. Execute Satan’s purposes, Ephesians 6:11-12.

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS–PHILIPPIANS 1:20-26

Art Davison PHILIPPIANS 0 Comment
THE LIFE AND DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS
PHILIPPIANS 1:20-26
Introduction:
Paul was a great admirer of Christ. He desired to know nothing but Christ, 1 Corinthians 2:2, “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”
There is no medicine like the blood of Christ and Paul was a man that preached the blood of Christ, Romans 5:9, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”
The Apostle lived for Christ, Our text, Philippians 1:21, says, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” He knew that living for the Lord was vital the God’s work, so he
I. FOR ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST
A. Christ was Paul’s LIFE, Colossians 3:4, “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”
B. Christ was the PRINCIPLE of Paul’s life
1. Christ lives in me, Galatians 2:20, “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.”
2. Christ was all Paul wanted to know, 1 Corinthians 2:2, “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”
C. Christ was the END of Paul’s life, “for me to live is Christ,” Romans 14:8, “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.”
1. Like a merchant we trade for Christ’s interest, Philippians 1:20, “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.”
2. We propagate His Gospel, 1 Corinthians 1:17-18, “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. 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.”
3. The design of our life is to exalt Christ as the Father has, Philippians 2:9, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:”
D. Christ was the JOY of Paul’s life, Psalm 43:4, “Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.”
1. Paul’s joy was the people that had trusted Christ as Savior, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?”
2. His desire was to cause God’s people to rejoice, Philippians 1:25, “And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;”
II. TO THE BELIEVER DEATH IS GREAT GAIN “AND TO DIE IS GAIN”
A. The Believer shall gain his release from sin and trouble, Psalm 31:10, “For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.”

Augustine said, “Life begins with a cry, and ends with a groan.”

B. Believers at death will see the Lord.
1. We see Him now in our mind’s eye through the Word of God as…

a. The way, the truth, and the life, John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

b. The Bread of life, John 6:35, “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.”
c. The eternal God, the I AM, John 8:58, “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”
2. The believer shall see the glorious sight of God.
a. The Sun of Righteousness, Malachi 4:2, “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.”
b. We will see Him on His throne, Revelation 22:1-3, “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2- In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3- And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:”