Author: Art Davison

STILL IN THE LAND OF MERCY–JOHN 7:37

Art Davison THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 0 Comment
STILL IN THE LAND OF MERCY
JOHN 7:37
“In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, if any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.”
Introduction:
Patience is one of the great virtues of our Lord. The Lord had pleaded with the Jews throughout His ministry to accept the truth that He was the promised Messiah, but we read in John 1:11, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” It is admirable that the Lord Jesus bears with us year after year. His love is without doubt very deep even to the point of tears on our behalf. He waits patiently for the sinner to repent and come to Him in faith as his Redeemer.
I. HIS PITY IS EXPRESSED IN TENDER TONES
A. He invites us to be reconciled, 2 Corinthians 5:20, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”
1. Christ has PREACHED PEACE to all men, Ephesians 2:17, “And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.”
2. The preaching of the Word was based on what JESUS WOULD ACCOMPLISH, Ephesians 2:16, “And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.”
B. He calls with TENDER WORDS rather than threats, Mark 10:49, “And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.”
1. Blind Bartimaeus had heard the Word of God, Mark 10:47, “And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.”
2. Even with the OPPOSITION of the crowd he wanted to know the Savior, Mark 10:48, “And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.”
3. Bartimaeus ACCEPTS the Lord’s CALL and TRUSTS Christ as his Savior, Mark 10:50, “And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.”
4. Jesus healed him and he faithfully FOLLOWED the Lord, Mark 10:51-52, And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made [saved thee] thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.”
II. HIS PROVISION IS MADE TO QUENCH OUR THIRST
A. All is provided to quench the sinner’s thirst, John 4:10, “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.”
1. To the CONSCIENCE salvation brings PEACE to the sinner, 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.”
2. To the sinner’s UNDERSTANDING the gospel brings the RICHEST INSTRUCTION, Colossians 2:2, “That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;”
3. To the heart the person of Jesus Christ becomes the OBJECT of his love, Matthew 22:37, “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”
B. He supplies the water of life FREELY, Revelation 22:17, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
1. The thirst is terrible, but Jesus can QUENCH it, John 4:14, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”
2. The soul may be FAMISHED because of IGNORANCE, Isaiah 5:13, “Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.”
3. Jesus can RESTORE the famished soul, 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,”
III. HIS PROCLAMATION IS MADE OPENLY
A. The Gospel was preached FOR ALL to hear, Acts 26:26, “For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.”
B. The invitation is “COME” to Jesus for salvation, Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
1. Our goodness does not bring us to God, Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”
2. We are God’s children by faith, Galatians 3:26, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
IV. HIS PREPERATION IS COMPLETE
A. The ACT of faith is “drinking of the water of life,” John 7:37, “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.”
B. The qualification is “WHOSOEVER DRINKETH,” John 4:14, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”
CONCLUSION:
GOD PATIENTLY WAITS FOR YOU to come and drink the water of life by faith in Christ. For those who have already trusted Christ as Savior HE WAIT FOR OUR OBEDIENCE in following the Lord in BAPTISM and complete trust in doing His will in our lives.
His will is the key to happiness and success in life.

SHOW YOURSELF TO THE WORLD- – JOHN 7:1-13

Art Davison THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 0 Comment
SHOW YOURSELF TO THE WORLD
JOHN 7:1-13
Introduction:
Jesus is again in Galilee after His discourse in John 6. In Jerusalem the Jews sought to kill Him, but here in Galilee He had safety and rest for a time. Matthew 10:23, “But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.”
Galilee was His home where His brethren lived. You will remember that Jesus was not accepted as the Messiah here. Even His brethren did not believe on Him at this time.
I. “AFTER THESE THINGS…”
A. After the events recorded in chapter 6.
1. That was shortly before the Passover, that is in April, John 6:4, “And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.”
2. The Feast of Tabernacles was near (six months later in October), v. 2, “Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand.”
B. The Feast of Tabernacles was one of the three great Jewish feasts.
1. Josephus, the great Hebrew historian, called it their holiest and greatest feast.
2. This feast, also called the Feast of Ingathering, was a time of thanksgiving for harvest, Deuteronomy 16:13, “Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine:”
a. It was a happy time, Leviticus 23:40, “And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.”
b. This is one of three times that the males of Israel had to appear before the Lord, Deuteronomy 16:16, “Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:”
3. It was at this feast at the end of every seven years that the Law was read, Deuteronomy 31:10-11, “And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, 11 When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.”
II. JESUS’ BRETHREN DID NOT BELIEVE AT THAT TIME
A. “IF” you do these things, show yourself to the world, vs. 4-5, “For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. 5For neither did his brethren believe in him.”
1. Go into Judaea, that your disciples may see the works that you do, Jeremiah 12:6, “For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.”
2. No man does these things in secret, Matthew 4:6, “And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.”
B. Jesus’ brethren did not believe that He was the Messiah, v. 5, “For neither did his brethren believe in him.”
1. Jesus came unto His own, John 1:11, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”
2. He was not received in His own country, Matthew 13:57, “And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.”
3. However, Jesus was received by some, 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: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
III. MY TIME IS NOT YET COME
A. The Lord’s brethren did not have spiritual discernment because of their unbelief, 1 Corinthians 2:15-16, “But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”
B. “The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth,” v. 7, “The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.”
1. He revealed the problem, John 3:19, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
2. Jesus became the enemy of man because He told him the truth, Galatians 4:16, “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?”
CONCLUSION:
Jesus went to the feast, but not openly. Too many sought to kill Him, v. 25, “Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?”
Even the people would not talk openly about Jesus for fear of the religious leaders who would put them out of the synagogue, v. 13, “Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.”

SHOW US THE FATHER- – JOHN 14:1-11

Art Davison THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 0 Comment
SHOW US THE FATHER
JOHN 14:1-11

Introduction:

The Lord had just mentioned that He was going away and that He would prepare a place for every believer. Then He stated that He would return for His people that they might be with Him.

Jesus stated that his disciples knew the way to the Father and proceeded to say in verse 6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Now the Lord makes a statement that the disciples had not considered before for Philip says in verse 8: “Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.”

I. THE UNIVERSAL DESIRE OF MAN IS TO SEE GOD.

A. Man wants to see God’s glory, Exodus 33:18, “And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.”

1. Man is insecure and wants to see tangible things rather than live by faith, Romans 1:17, “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

2. Man is justified by faith, Galatians 3:11, “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.”

3. God does not accept anything less, Hebrews 10:38, “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”

B. God wants to see FAITH, Mark 11:22, “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.”

1. Faith to believe God’s Word, Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

2. Faith to trust Christ as Savior, Acts 16:30-31, “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

3. Faith to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh, Galatians 5:16-17, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

II. LORD, SHEW US THE FATHER, AND IT SUFFICETH US.

A. Don’t you know me, Philip? v. 9; John 14:20, “At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.”

B. He that sees me…John 12:45, “And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.”

1. God gives light to see, 2 Corinthians 4:6, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

2. Light to see Jesus as the image of the invisible God, Colossians 1:15-17, “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

3. He is the express image of His glory, Hebrews 1:3, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”

III. WE SHOULD BELIEVE JESUS…

A. Because of His character, John 14:20, “At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.”

B. Because His words are the Father’s words.

1. His doctrine, John 7:16, “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.”

2. He did not speak of Himself, John 12:49, “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.”

3. The words He spoke were not His, John 14:24, “He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

C. Because His miracles revealed God’s working through Him, John 5:36, “But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.”

1. They bore witness of Jesus, John 10:25, 38, “Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. 38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.”

2. Yet many did not believe on Him, John 12:37, “But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:”

SEPARATED OUT OF THE WORLD- – JOHN 17:6-19

Art Davison THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 0 Comment
SEPARATED OUT OF THE WORLD
JOHN 17:6-19
Introduction:

Jesus prayed for His disciples before He chose them, Luke 6:12, “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.”

He prayed for them during His ministry, John 6:15, “When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.”

Jesus had prayed for them at the end of His ministry, Luke 22:32, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

He prayed for them here in this text and later interceded for them in Heaven, Romans 8:34, “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

I. THE LITTLE FLOCK GIVEN TO THE SON BY THE FATHER

A. The disciples had been given as a gift to Jesus Christ, John 6:37,“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

1. God had given everything over to the Son, John 3:35, “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand:”

a. The Father has given all power to Christ, Matthew 28:18, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

b. Power to reveal the Father, Matthew 11:27, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.”

c. Power for judgment, John 5:22, “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.”

2. God had given Him dominion over everything, 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.”

B. Jesus had given eternal life to those that the Father gave Him, v. 2.

1. They shall never perish, John 10:28, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

2. They cannot be separated from Christ, Romans 8:35-39.

C. Jesus prayed for those that the Father had given Him, v. 9; Hebrews 7:25, “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

1. Christ has enter into the very presence of God on our behalf, Hebrews 9:24, “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:”

2. He is our Advocate before the Father, 1 John 2:1-2, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous : 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”

II. THEY HAD BEEN SEPARATED OUT OF THE WORLD

A. The Lord took us out of the world, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:”

1. Jesus “manifested” the name of the Father to us, John 1:18, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”

2. He has given us knowledge of the glory of God, 2 Corinthians 4:6, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

B. Jesus prayed that those that the Father had given Him that they might be with Him, v. 24; John 12:26, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”

1. We will see Him face to face, 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

2. We will behold the brightness of His glory, Hebrews 1:3, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”

3. We will be with Him throughout eternity, 2 Corinthians 5:1, “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

CONCLUSION:

He awaits the time when the Father will send Him to call His own to their heavenly home with Him.

The Lord Jesus continues His ministry seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us today.

SEEING THE GLORY OF GOD- – JOHN 11:1-4

Art Davison THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 0 Comment
SEEING THE GLORY OF GOD
JOHN 11:1-4

Introduction:

In this passage of Scripture Jesus shows that illness or even death does not necessarily mean that the individual involved is a terrible sinner as is held by some religions. God uses illness in the life of the believer to teach him things in order to bring greater glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.
In Lazarus’ case, his death was to demonstrate the power of God in the live of the Lord Jesus and to glorify the heavenly Father. Now let us consider that…
I. SICKNESS IN OUR LIVES MAY BE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.

A. Lazarus was a friend of the Lord Jesus Christ, v. 5, “Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.”

B. The Lord states the purpose for this sickness, v. 4, “When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.”

C. Hezekiah’s illness, 2 Kings 20:1, “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.”

1. In those days refers to days of the invasion of Jerusalem by Sennacherib that was imminent and Hezakiah knew that Judah would not stand the invasion without good leadership.

2. Hezakiah was driven to prayer after Isaiah related the news of his soon departure from this life, 2 Kings 20:2-3, “Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, 3I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.”

3. God added 15 years to his life, 2 Kings 20:4-6.

II. SICKNESS IS NOT THE CASE OF THE LOST BUT RATHER, HE IS SPIRITUALLY DEAD.

A. When a person is spiritually dead, he does not respond to spiritual things,

1. Spiritually dead, without God in their life, Ephesians 2:12, “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:”
2. Dead in trespasses and sins, Ephesians 2:1-3, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”
a. You were dead in trespasses and sins.
b. You walked according to the course of this world.
c. You were a child of disobedience.
d. You were a child of the wrath of God.
B. But having trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior God has made you alive spiritually having forgiven your sin, Colossians 2:13, “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;”
III. SICKNESS CAN PRODUCE GREATER FAITH TO TRUST GOD’S WISDOM.
A. Paul had a “thorn in the flesh,” 2 Corinthians 12:7, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.”
1. Paul was an educated man with many talents and abilities that would exalt the man rather than the Lord Jesus.
2. God allowed this “thorn,” in Paul’s life to cause him to remember where his strength came from, 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
B. As a result of what God had allowed in Paul’s life he was able to be more effective for the Lord bringing greater glory to his Father in Heaven. In 2 Corinthians 12:10 Paul states: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
C. While we might not understand why we suffer illnesses, we can understand that God’s wisdom is greater than ours is. Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
1. This is directed to God’s people, that is, those who have trusted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
2. What we might suffer is under God’s direction “according to his purpose.”
3. Since we do not know what the future holds for us and the Lord does, He directs our lives in order to bring greater glory to His name by the things that we suffer. Romans 8:18, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
4. It is the way we handle our suffering that determines how much glory God receives through us.
a. Some suffer and have irate feelings that God has been unjust to us.
b. Others suffer quietly without complaining, at least before others, and bring greater glory to the Lord.
CONCLUSION:
Real suffering is not to know Jesus Christ as your Savior. He loves you and wants to bless you in many ways, but in order to have these blessings you have trust Him as your Savior and Lord.
Christians are asked to suffer for His honor and glory, but this is a temporary situation that cannot be compared with what He will do in the future for us.