Month: April 2010

JOY IN THE LORD’S STRENGTH–PSALM 21:1-13

Art Davison PSALM 0 Comment
JOY IN THE LORD’S STRENGTH
PSALM 21:1-13
Introduction:
This psalm is the companion of Psalm 20. It anticipates what Psalm 21 regards as realized. Charles Spurgeon says, “If we pray today for a benefit and receive it, we must, ere the sun goes down, praise God for that mercy, or we deserve to be denied the next time.”
This psalm has been called “David’s triumphant song.” “The king’ is most prominent throughout, and we shall read it to true profit if our meditation of him shall be sweet while perusing it. We must crown him with the glory of our salvation singing of his love, and praising his power. The next psalm will take us to the foot of the cross; this introduces us to the steps of the throne.” —Charles Spurgeon.
I. THANKSGIVING FOR VICTORY vv. 1-6
A. Jesus is a ROYAL PERSONAGE, John 18:37, “Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”
1. Jesus was born KING of the Jews, Matthew 2:2, “Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
a. His birth was the PROMISED BLESSING of God, Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
b. He is the SALVATION of Israel, Psalm 62:7, “In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.”
c. He is the JOY of God’s people, Psalm 28:7, “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.”
2. He shall JUDGE His PEOPLE in RIGHTEOUSNESS, Psalm 72:1-2, “Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son. 2- He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.”
a. Clothed with DIVINE AUTHORITY, he shall use it on the behalf of His people, Psalm 72:12-14, “For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. 13- He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. 14- He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.”
b. God has ANOINTED Jesus above all with the OIL of GLADNESS, Psalm 45:6-7, “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. 7-Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”
B. He is NOT merely a King, BUT THE KING, John 19:19, “And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
1. He is the King who is OUR PEACE, Ephesians 2:14, 17, “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 17- And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.”
2. He is the KING of GLORY, Psalm 24:9-10, “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 10- Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.”
II. CONFIDENCE OF FURTHER SUCCESS vv. 7-13
A. In His day the RIGHTEOUS shall FLOURISH, Psalm 132:15-18, “I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. 16- I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. 17- There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. 18- His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.”
1. There will be NO FAMINE, Exodus 23:25, “And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.”
2. God will do exceeding abundantly MORE than we can ever ask for, Ephesians 3:20, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”
B. In His day there shall be an ABUNDANCE of PEACE, Isaiah 2:4, “And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
1. The meek shall inherit the earth, Psalm 37:11, “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”
2. The righteous shall flourish, Psalm 72:7, “In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.”
C. In His day His Kingdom shall be forever, Luke 1:33, “And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”
1. There will be no end of His kingdom, Isaiah 9:7, “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
2. It shall never be destroyed, Daniel 2:44, “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.”
3. God shall give Him everlasting dominion, Daniel 7:14, “And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”
CONCLUSION OF CHOICE

PRECIOUS THINGS 2–2 PETER 1:1, 4

Art Davison BOOK OF PETER 0 Comment
PRECIOUS THINGS 2
2 PETER 1:1, 4
“Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
Introduction:
In this message on the PRECIOUS THINGS we will see HOW DIFFERENT the attitude of a true Christian to that of an unbeliever; how the true believer COPES with the difficulties of life, and what God’s attitude is toward those who have received His Son as their Saviour.

I. HE IS PRECIOUS UNTO YOU WHO BELIEVE

1 Peter 2:7, “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner.”
A. To the believer He is precious even though he hasn’t seen Jesus, 1 Peter 1:8, “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”
1. Though we have not seen Him face to face, yet we are blessed, John 20:29, “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”
2. “Believing, ye rejoice,” Habakkuk 3:17-18, “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
3. There is JOY and PEACE in believing, Romans15:13, “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
B. To the Unbelieving…
1. JEW He is a stumblingblock, 1 Corinthians 1:23, “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;”
2. GENTILE it is foolishness and unbelievable, 1 Corinthians 2:14, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

II. THE TRIAL OF YOUR FAITH IS MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD

1 Peter 1:7, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”
A. Rejoice in the trials of your faith, 1 Peter 4:12-23, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”
B. These trails work patience in the believer, James 1:2-3, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”
C. These trials bring good results, Job 23:10, “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”

III. THE CHOSEN OF GOD ARE PRECIOUS TO HIM AS CHRIST IS PRECIOUS
A. The Believer is NOT CONFUSED, but INFORMED in the truth, 1 Peter 2:4, 6, “To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall NOT BE CONFOUNDED.”
B. The Believer is the TEMPLE of the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 3:16, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
C. That temple is built on a FIRM foundation,
1. This spiritual house is WELL BUILT, Ephesians 2:20-21, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:”
2. It is FIT for the habitation of God, Ephesians 2:22, “In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
CONCLUSION

There are many precious things that God has blessed us with in this life. The most precious of all is our Saviour, Jesus Christ who continues His work in the presence of the Father on our behalf.
Now I may ask if He is precious to you. He gave His life to save you from hell and ask that you only believe. Trust Him today and He will become precious to you also.

THE REWARD OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS–2 PETER 2:12-22–PART 2

Art Davison BOOK OF PETER 0 Comment
THE REWARD OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS
Part 2
2 PETER 2:12-22

Introduction:

This is the second message on this theme. We have dealt with this subject regarding the world of both the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Now we consider OUR WORLD TODAY. Our world is beset by the same problem that Peter dealt with in his day – that is: FALSE TEACHERS. These false teachers or prophets are abundant in our day and will be until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

IV. OUR WORLD TODAY

A. The natural BRUTE BEAST of our day, FALSE TEACHERS, vv. 1, 12; Jude 10, “But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.”

1. They speak evil of that which they do not understand, 1 Timothy 1:7, “Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.”

2. They are SPOTS and BLEMISHES on society, the OPPOSITE of Jesus, 1 Peter 1:19, “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”

3. They are deceivers, withered fruit, Jude 12, “These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;”

a. These deceivers destroy the fellowship of the Lord’s churches, 2 Corinthians 6:14, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”

b. Converting fellowship into scenes of revelry, 1 Corinthians 11:19-21, “For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. 20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. 21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.”

B. The CHARACTER of these false teachers is compared to that of Jezebel, Revelation 2:28, “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.”

1. The church at Thyatira had TOLARATED this WOMAN who was HIGHLY GIFTED, PERSUASIVE, and ARTFUL to bring in heresy, 1 Kings 16:31, “And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.”

2. This woman who was GUILTY of idolatry and witchcraft, is a SYMBOL of the APOSTATE CHURCH, 2 Kings 9:22, “And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?”

C. These who are UNBELIEVERS are those who CANNOT CEASE from sin, v.14; 1 John 3:9-10, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.”

1. They are cursed children, v. 14; note the comparison; 1 Peter 1:14, “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:”

2. Having a heart exercised with covetous practices, 2 Peter 2:3, “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”

D. These have FORSAKEN THE RIGHT WAY, v. 15; 1 Samuel 12:23, “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:”

1. These went astray, Mark 12:24, “And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?”

2. They had followed cunning devises contrary to the truth, 2 Peter 1:16, “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”

THE PROMISE OF GOD–ISAIAH 9:6-7

Art Davison PROMISES OF GOD 0 Comment
THE PROMISES OF GOD
ISAIAH 9:6-7
Introduction:

The promise of God is the only sure thing in this world. His Word is truth and we can depend on it. He has promised many things in His Word and it is up to us whether we will trust Him to fulfill that Word.

Consider these few things today as we look to the Promises of His Word regarding a promised Savior. This story is six thousand years old and some say that it is not relevant for our day, however, it is still the only way to Heaven and man has not come up with a better plan yet, anyway.

I. THE PROMISE OF LIFE ETERNAL

A. Is in Christ Jesus, 2 Timothy 1:1, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,”

B. Is through the righteousness of faith, Romans 4:13, “For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.”

C. Is the promise to you, Acts 2:39, “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

II. THE PROMISE OF COMFORT

A. The Unbeliever has no Comforter, Ecclesiastes 4:1, “So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.”

1. Unbelief limits what God can do, Matthew 13:58, “And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”

2. Man does not enter into God’s comfort or rest because of his unbelief, Hebrews 4:6, “Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:”

B. The Believer’s Comforter is the Holy Spirit of God, John 14:26, “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.”

C. The Holy Spirit is from the Father, John 15:26, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:”

III. THE PROMISE OF PEACE

A. This is not the world’s peace, John 14:27, 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.”

1. This is the Lord’s Peace, “my peace I give unto you,”

2. This peace is not like the peace of the world, “not as the world giveth,”

3. This is the peace that passes understanding, Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

B. This is the peace of safety, Psalm 4:8, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”

C. This is the spiritual peace that is to be sought after peace, Psalm 34:14, “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”

IV. THE PROMISE OF HIS COMING

A. Where is the promise of his coming? 2 Peter 3:4, “And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”

B. Be patient, for the Lord is coming, James 5:7-8, “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”

1. As the farmer waits for the fruit of the earth, so we must wait patiently for the Lord, “Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.”

2. We must establish our hearts, “stablish your hearts.” Psalm 27:14, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

CONCLUSION

The promise of God is sure. Our life is based on faith in Jesus Christ. He will fulfill His Word. Psalm 111:7 says, “The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.”

WHAT IF SOME DID NOT BELIEVE?–ROMANS 3:1-18

Art Davison ROMANS 0 Comment
WHAT IF SOME DID NOT BELIEVE?

ROMANS 3:1-18

Key verse: Romans 3:3, “For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?”

Introduction:

“What advantage then hath the Jew?” The Apostle Paul “has shown that the Jews were more wicked than the Gentiles; that their possession of the law, circumcision, and outward profession of relation to God, were no ground of acceptance with him (the Lord).” —Adam Clark’s Commentary.

With all the advantages that the Jews had you would think that they would have been faithful, but that is not the case. Salvation and God blessings have always been DETERMINED BY FAITH IN Jesus, the Messiah (Christ). So what advantage does the Jew have?

I. THE ADVANTAGES GOD GAVE ISRAEL

A. “Much in every way,” vv. 1-2; Romans 9:4, “Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;”

1. The Oracles (Word) of God, v. 2; Acts 7:38, “This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:”

2. The covenant of Circumcision, the sign of obedience, Genesis 17:11, “And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.”

3. The promises of God, Hebrews 11:13, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”

a. Paul here speaks of the faithfulness of God in Israel, Genesis 48:21, “And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.”

b. They saw the promises “afar off” and believed them, Hebrews 11:39, “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:”

B. They have a relationship with God, Romans 11:28, “As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.”

1. God established His covenant with Abraham and his posterity, Genesis 17:7, “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.”

2. They are a chosen people, Deuteronomy 7:6, For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.”

II. MANY WERE DISOBEDIENT

A. They have not all obeyed the gospel, Romans 10:16, “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?”

1. Moses had warned them, Deuteronomy 11:27-28, “A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: 28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.”

2. God would not tolerate disobedience, 1 Peter 2:7-8, “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”

B. The word preached did not profit some of them, Hebrews 4:2, “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.”

1. They heard the Gospel, Acts 3:26, “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.”

2. It did not profit them because it was not mixed with faith, Acts 13:46, “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.”

III. SHALL THEIR UNBELIEF MAKE THE FAITH OF GOD WITHOUT EFFECT?

A. God continues to be faithful to His Word, 2 Timothy 2:13, “If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.”

1. His Word stands, Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

2. He does not change, Hebrews 6:13-18, “For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, 14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. 17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:”

B. The Faith of God’s elect is well placed for He is the Faithful God, Deuteronomy 7:9, “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;”

1. His testimonies are faithful, Psalms 119:138, “Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.”

2. God will fulfill His Word and turn away the ungodliness from Israel, Romans 11:26, “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:”

CONCLUSION OF CHOICE