Month: June 2010

THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING–I CORINTHIANS 1:17:25

Art Davison I CORINTHIANS 0 Comment
THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING
I CORINTHIANS 1:17:25
Zechariah 4:6 “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”
Introduction:
Today almost no one puts importance on the preaching of the Word of the GOD. Many times when we preach there are people making fun, thinking that our message is equal to others who preach cures and riches, i.e., a social gospel.
The Apostle Paul found that even among the believers in the Church at Corinth, some played down the preaching of the Word. Let us examine what the Apostle says in defense of the preaching of the truth.
I. THE PREACHING OF THE TRUTH
A. Paul was sent to “preach the gospel.”
1. No one is saved by the word of a preacher. “not with wisdom of words,” Today we have a multitude of “preachers of miracles and cures” and the world continues sick, lost, and heading for hell!!
2. It is not by human strength, Zechariah 4:6. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”
a. During more than twelve hundred years the established religion of Europe tried to force other believers to conform to their religion. More than 50 million people died in Europe at the hands of those fanatical religionist because the Baptist did not believe their false preaching. Much of this is registered in the history books for the world to read. However, the victims were called “heretics.”
b. Our preaching is by the power of the Holy Spirit, v. 21, “it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”
1) “But we preach Christ crucified,” v. 23 We preach the truth!! Jesus died on the cross to save man from his sins!!!
2) “But unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” v. 18. We know what the LORD did in our lives!
a) He saved us from perdition.
b) Hell has no power over those who are in Christ.
II. THE RESULTS OF THE PREACHING OF THE TRUTH.
John 10:27-30
A. The first result is ETERNAL LIFE, v. 28 “And I give unto them eternal life.”
B. The second result is ETERNAL SECURITY, v. 28, “and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
C. The third result is a CONFIRMATION from the Father, v. 30, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”
III. THE PURPOSE OF THE PREACHING OF THE TRUTH – TO BRING GLORY TO GOD,
1 Corinthians 1:29-31.
A. “That no flesh should glory in his presence.” v. 29. It is for this reason that man cannot save himself. Psalms 3:8, “Salvation belongeth unto the LORD.”
B. The believer can glory in the LORD, v. 31, “That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
1. Our glorying is not in men, I Corinthians 3:21, “Therefore let no man glory in men.”
2. Even preachers have nothing in themselves to glory in, I Corinthians 9:16, “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”
3. Our glory is in our Lord, 2 Corinthians 10:17, “But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
4. Our glory is in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, Galatians 6:14, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
CONCLUSION
Thank the LORD that our salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ to the honor and glory of God.
Our salvation does not depend on some religion, but on Christ.
Our salvation is in the hands of Jesus and He is in the hands of our heavenly Father. Everything is perfectly secure!!!!

THE DEMONSTRATION OF YOUR CONSECRATION–ROMANS 12:3-8

Art Davison ROMANS 0 Comment
THE DEMONSTRATION OF YOUR CONSECRATION

ROMANS 12:3-8

Introduction:

We as Christians are sometimes all talk and no substance when it comes to serving the Lord. The Apostle Paul speaks with the authority of God here as he admonishes us to demonstrate what we say that we have in Christ.

He is saying that we need to have the right attitude about ourselves and others in order to glorify our Lord in our lives. He gives us good counsel in relation to others and how we can be used by the Lord for His glory.

I. A JUST ESTIMATE OF YOUR GIFT

A. We are what we are by the Grace of God, 1 Corinthians 15:10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

1. Jesus died for us by the Grace of God, Hebrews 2:9, “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”

2. Our rejoicing is by the Grace of God, 2 Corinthians 1:12, “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.”

B. Our Gifts or abilities are given to us for God’s glory, 1 Corinthians 14:12, “Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.”

C. Paul spoke of a more excellent gift, the gift of love, 1 Corinthians 12:31, “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”

1. Without love we are just noise, 1 Corinthians 13:1, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”

2. Even if we might have great knowledge and have all faith, without love we are nothing, 1 Corinthians 13:2, “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”

D. Paul counsels us not to be intoxicated with conceit, Romans 12:3, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

1. Paul is saying here that Pride has no place in the Lord’s work, Romans 3:27,“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.”

2. Paul illustrates this fact, Romans 11:18-21, “Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.”

3. Therefore every Christian should have a proper sense of humility, Proverbs 18:12, “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.”

a. Paul’s attitude in serving the Lord, Acts 20:18-19, “And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:”

b. Peter admonishes us to be clothed in humility, 1 Peter 5:5-6, “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”

CONCLUSION

God has blessed each of us with gifts and abilities with which we can honor and glorify our Saviour. Each believer is special to the Lord. Each has a place in the Lord’s work where he or she can contribute one way or another to build a strong church. We need to use those gifts for his honor and glory.

THE BELIEVER, OWNER OR SERVANT–I CORINTHIANS 4:1-2

Art Davison I CORINTHIANS 0 Comment
THE BELIEVER, OWNER OR SERVANT

I CORINTHIANS 4:1-2

Introduction:

A believer is a person who trust or has confidence in another. A believer in Christ is a Christian, that is, someone who has faith in Jesus Christ as his savior. This belief is not just an attitude of the mind, but rather a condition of the heart as well.

As a believer in Jesus Christ, he becomes a servant of God by his own volition. Now he begins to think about his responsibilities as a servant of God. In the spiritual growth of the believer he becomes able to accept more responsibility and with time and experience, perhaps a position of leadership in the church.

Now, I ask: Is he the owner of his life or the servant of the LORD charged with the responsibility to take care of his life in order that God might profit by him? Does he give orders or does he serve? The response to these questions will determine if the believer shall be happy or unhappy in the LORD’S service.

I. Who Is The Boss?

A. The Creator is the boss, Genesis 1-2.

1. God the Father – “Abba, Father”

Romans 8:15, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”

2. God the Son.

3. God the Holy Spirit.

B. The Savior, Jesus Christ, John 1:12-13, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, John 16; Romans 8:14, 26, 14- For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 26- Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

II. Who Is The Servant? The Believer!

A. The Stewards,

1 Chronicles 28:1 “And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem.”

1 Corinthians 4:1-2, Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

1. Ministers of Christ.

(1) “Ministers” comes from a word that means “below” or “beside of.”

(2) Servant.

2. Stewards of the mysteries of God.

(1) Someone who has the responsibility for the faithful administration of the properties.

(2) He is responsible to administer according to his abilities that God has given him,

1 Peter 4:10, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Conclusion

The believer is not the owner of his life, but the servant of God. By faith in Christ he has surrendered the ownership of his life to be the servant of Christ. God has given him gifts (abilities) in order that he might be able to realize God’s will. What we do with those gifts will determine just how happy we are as a Christian.

THE AUTHOR OF PEACE–I CORINTHIANS 14:33; EPHESIANS 2:14-17

Art Davison I CORINTHIANS 14:33; EPHESIANS 2:14-17 0 Comment
THE AUTHOR OF PEACE

I CORINTHIANS 14:33; EPHESIANS 2:14-17

Introduction:

The most sought after commodity in the world is peace. Everyone seems to have a philosophy as to how to obtain that peace, but unfortunately there is no peace found in this world.

The reason that peace is not found by many is because they look in the wrong place for it. The Scripture says in Psalm 29:11, “The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.”

Peace and life are only found in Jesus Christ. However, Jesus says that men “will not come to me, that ye might have life.” (John 5:40). Our text says that God is Author of peace.

I. GOD CAME TO SPEAK PEACE

A. To His people Israel, Psalm 85:8, “I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.”

1. God will manifest His presence, Isaiah 60:1-2, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. 2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.”

2. The Word of God became flesh, John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

B. To the Gentiles, v. 17; Luke 1:79, “To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

1. The Gospel of Christ was preached to us, Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,”

2. He bore our chastisement to bring peace to us, Isaiah 53:5, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

3. He is the Prince of Peace, 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.”

II. THE LORD BROUGHT AN ABUNDANCE OF PEACE

A. This peace is for the meek [humble], Psalm 37:4, 11, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart, 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

B. This peace is for the UPRIGHT, Psalm 37:37, “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.”

1. The upright man is he who has trusted Christ, Galatians 2:16, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

2. This is a man who has contentment in life, 2 Corinthians 9:8, And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

3. He has great peace because he loves God’s Word, Psalm 119:165, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”

III. THE PEACE OF GOD IS NOT FOUND IN THIS WORLD

A. Jesus called it His 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.”

B. We have peace in the Lord because He has overcome the world, John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

1. He has justified us by faith in Him thus giving us peace, Romans 5:1, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

2. For He is our Peace, Ephesians 2:14, “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;”

a. He has abolished the enmity between God and man, Ephesians 2:15, “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

b. He slew the enmity on the Cross, Ephesians 2:16,And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

c. He preached peace to us, Ephesians 2:17, “And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.”

CONCLUSION

The Apostle Paul warns us in 1 Thessalonians 5:3, “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. We are living in those times now.

Thank the Lord that we have HIS PEACE in our hearts. We know that He cares for us and gives us HIS Peace in difficult times.

THE ABIDING REALITY–ROMANS 1:1-16

Art Davison ROMANS 0 Comment
THE ABIDING REALITY

ROMANS 1:1-16

Romans 1:1, “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,”

Introduction:

The most vital need of the Christian worker today is to know what is the most important thing in his life. The one thing that is all-important is that the Gospel of God should be realized as the Abiding Reality.

God has redeemed us from the curse of sin to show forth His Grace in Redemption. How we live our lives is the effect of the redemption that He has brought into our lives.

I. WHAT IS THE ABIDING REALITY IN THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVER?

A. Reality is not…

1. Human goodness, Ecclesiastes 7:20, “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.”

2. Holiness, Isaiah 35:8, “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.”

3. Heaven, Psalms 14:2, “The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.”

4. Hell, 2 Peter 2:4, “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;”

B. Reality is Redemption, Ephesians 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

1. Redemption is the only Reality, Titus 2:14, “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

2. Personal holiness is an effect of redemption, 1 Corinthians 6:19, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20- For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

a. Paul’s eyes were not on the personal whiteness of his own character, but on Jesus, Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

1) As long as our eyes are on self we will never get to the reality of Redemption, Isaiah 31:1, “Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!”

2) What is necessary is to “walk in His way,” Deuteronomy 10:12, “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,”

b. Paul did not say he separated himself, Galatians 1:15, “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,”

c. In God own time, Galatians 4:4-5, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

II. LIVING IN THE REALITY OF REDEMPTION

A. To TALK ONLY is a sign that the reality of the Gospel of Christ has NOT reached us, Exodus 32:32, “Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.”

B. Paul was UNCONSCIOUS of HIMSELF and separated by God for one purpose, the preaching of the Gospel, Romans 9:3, “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:”

C. That is the reality of our redemption, to reach people with the Gospel of Christ, Matthew 10:27, “What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.”

1. We can’t hid the light, Luke 11:33, “No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.”

2. Wisdom cries out, Proverbs 1:20, “Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:”

3. Understanding puts forth her voice, Proverbs 8:1-5, “Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? 2- She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. 3- She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. 4- Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. 5- O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.”

CONCLUSION

The Apostle Paul knew the reality of the Gospel of Christ. It was in the proclaiming of that Gospel that men might know Jesus Christ is redemption. And that redemption can only be known by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

We must say as the Apostle said, 1 Corinthians 9:16, “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”