Author: Art Davison

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN–JOHN 1:1-14–LESSON 1

Art Davison THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 0 Comment
THE GOSPEL OF JOHN–JOHN 1:1-14–LESSON 1

Introduction:

Few people think of Christ as the God of Heaven and being 100% man at the same time. However, He is thought of as the Savior of mankind by many, however many today think of Him as a “good teacher” and nothing more. Today let’s consider Jesus as the God of Heaven and the Savior of mankind as the Bible teaches.
I. JESUS IS THE GOD OF HEAVEN.
A. Jesus is the WORD, v. 1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
B. Jesus is God, vs. 1-3.
1. God is a Triune being, that is, the Godhead is made up of three persons.
a. God the Father, v. 1c, “and the Word was God.”
b. God the Son, Mark 1:1, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;” John 1:34, “And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.”
c. God the Holy Spirit, v. 3, “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” Genesis 1:26, “And God said, Let US make man in OUR image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”
2. Jesus was with the Father since the beginning, vs. 1-2, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God.”
3. Jesus is God, John 10:30, “I and my Father are one.”
C. He is the WORD, v. 1.
1. The WORD was involved in creation, v. 3, “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
2. At least two persons of the God-head were involved in creation, Genesis 1:26, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”
3. Jesus declares that He was the Creator, v. 3.
D. The WORD in flesh, v. 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.”
1. The WORD became man, v. 14.
a. “The Word was made flesh,” Romans 1:3, “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;”
b. “The only begotten of the Father.” John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” I John 4:9, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.”
II. JESUS IS THE SAVIOR
A. Jesus is THE LIFE, vs. 4-5.
1. “In him was life;”
a. The SOURSE of spiritual 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.” John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
b. The GIVER of life, John 11:25, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” Psalm 36:9, “For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.”
2. “And the life was the light of men.”
a. The “LIGHT of the world,” John 9:5, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
b. The PURPOSE of the Light, John 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”
B. Jesus is the Door of Heaven, John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”
1. FAITH opens the door, vs. 11-13.
a. He came unto HIS OWN, but they REJECTED HIM, v. 11, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”
b. But to those WHO RECEIVED HIM He gave them POWER T0 BECOME SONS of God, v. 12, “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:”
c. This is NOT by human strength or works, v. 13, “Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
2. How does Faith come? Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
CONCLUSION:
Jesus is 100% the Son of God and He is 100% man also and at the same time.
Jesus is the Savior of mankind. He became flesh and lived among us and experienced our life. Therefore, He knows what we know about life experiencially.
Jesus never sinned and therefore, qualifies to be our Savior, 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
FOLLOWED BY LESSON 2

THE AUTHOR OF THE RESURRECTION–JOHN 11:25-26

Art Davison THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 0 Comment
THE AUTHOR OF THE RESURRECTION
JOHN 11:25-26
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26- And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
Introduction:
Lazarus was dead and buried when Jesus arrive in Bethany. He had purposely delayed His coming that He might demonstrate the POWER and GLORY OF GOD that rested upon Him.
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead that day with only His word. Jesus prayed to the Father and then he spoke, “Lazarus, come forth.” In verses 44-45 we read, “And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. 45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.”
I. THE SON OF GOD HAS THE POWER OF LIFE
A. Jesus Christ IS LIFE, John 1:4, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”
1. The Apostle John called Him “the Word of Life,” 1 John 1:1, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;”
2. John did see a man alive, rather he saw LIFE ITSELF, 1 John 1:2, “(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)”
B. Jesus is THE WAY TO 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.”
1. He is the HIGHWAY to life, 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.”
2. He as the incarnate Son of God, is the ONLY WAY to the Father, John 1:1, 14, 18, ¶ “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 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. 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.”
C. Jesus is THE POWER OF LIFE, John 10:27-28, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
1. By faith in Christ is the sinner made alive spiritually, Ephesians 2:1, 5, And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”
2. The Son of God raises from the dead whom He will, John 5:21, “For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.”
D. Jesus Christ calls mankind forth out of the darkness of unbelief, Psalms 107:14, “He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.”
1. He calls those out who sit in the shadow of death which is darkness with danger, Psalms 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
2. He calls us into His marvelous light, 1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”
II. THE HOUR OF THE RESURRECTION
A. The hour is coming, John 5:25,28-29, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”
B. Jesus Christ will recover the bodies of the dead believers and make them live, Isaiah 38:16, “O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live.”
1. Job had that hope, Job 19:26, “And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:”
2. Isaiah prophesied it, Isaiah 26:19, “Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.”
3. The Apostle Paul preached it:
a. He preached our resurrection because Jesus was resurrected by the Father, Romans 8:11, “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
b. Paul used baptism as a symbol of the resurrection of the believer, Romans 6:4, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
4. Even Moses preached the resurrection, Luke 20:37, “Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”
CONCLUSION:
God is not the God of the dead but of the living, Matthew 22:32, “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” Therefore those that come unto the Lord in faith He makes alive. However, some will not come, John 5:40, “And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.”

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN–AN INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPELS

Art Davison THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 0 Comment
THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
AN  INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPELS

Introduction:

There are four accounts of the Gospel, which tell the history of the birth, life and death of Jesus. Not one of them gives a complete picture, nor do they give an exhaustive biography, John 21:25. All of them are necessary in order to give a complete record. Matthew, Mark and Luke are called the synoptic gospels because they have more in common. The record of John is different from the others, yet not one contradicts the others; rather, they complement one another. Each of them represents a distinct view of Christ:
A. Matthew writes to the Jews and shows Christ as the King of Israel. His is the gospel of the kingdom. He pictures Christ as the Son of David.
B. Mark writes to the Romans, and shows Jesus as the “Servant of Jehovah,” and proves Him to be the Son of God by His works. The gospel of Mark is vivid and precise in details. Without doubt Peter furnished the details for this gospel, and at times this gospel is called the “Gospel according to Peter.”
C. Luke writes to all men, and shows the relationship of Christ to man; consequently, he traces the genealogy of Christ to Adam. He shows Christ as the Son of Man – the True Man. Luke was, possibly, the only Gentile writer in the New Testament, and also the only medical doctor, Colossians 4:14; thus, many medical terms appear in his gospel.
D. John writes his gospel to the believer, chap. 20:31, and this explains, in part, why it is the favorite of all the Gospels. He writes to prove that Jesus is the Son of God, and therefore, he returns to “the beginning,” chap. 1:1. He presents Christ as the Celestial One, and his theme is the Divinity of the Savior; consequently, his point of view is more elevated than the other three, who see Christ more in His human relationships. John omits much that the synoptic gospels record, but he also records many things the others omit. By this gospel only, do we know that the ministry of Jesus lasted three years.
The Author: John, the son of Zebedee, and the younger brother of James, (Mark 14:51 –found to be John; and he is generally mentioned after James when they are mentioned together). This family was, evidently, above the average in possessions and social position, for:
A. The fishing business of the family was large enough to have servants, Mark 1:20.
B. His mother, Salome, was distinguished for ministering to Jesus of their material substance, Luke 8:2-3; Mark 15:40; 16:1.
C. He was known personally by the High Priest, John 18:15-16.
D. John had his own home in which Jesus committed the care of His mother after His death, John 19:26-27.
a. John was the closest to Jesus in affection. On five occasions he is called “the one, who Jesus loved,” John 13:23; 19:23, 26; 20:2; 21:7, 20. It was he who was the human instrument that God used to write this gospel.
b. Like his brother James, he was called Boanerges – sons of thunder, which might mean that they were of a tempestuous nature; however, John soon came to be known as the apostle of love. “Love” is one of the words that characterize his writings. John was originally a disciple of John the Baptist as were all of the twelve apostles, Acts 1:21-22.
CONCLUSION

WHO IS JESUS CHRIST TO YOU?–REVELATION 1:1-8

Art Davison REVELATION 0 Comment
WHO IS JESUS CHRIST TO YOU?
REVELATION 1:1-8
Introduction:
A few months ago I preached a message of a similar title, but this message has a different message. I hope you will listen with your heart open to receive this message from the Lord.
God has blessed us with so much, the least of which is our freedom to preach and hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am afraid that our freedom has become a license to sin by not giving the Lord His due in our lives.
I. HE IS THE FAITHFUL WITNESS, v. 5.
A. He spoke with authority, Matt. 7:29, “For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”
B. He is the faithful witness, Rev. 1:5, “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness.”
C. He is my example.
1. Of faithfulness, Heb. 3:1-2, “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.”
2. Of authority and power, Matt. 28:18, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” The word “POWER” can be translated “authority” as well. It come from two Greek words, “??” – “from” – and “????”- “I AM” MEANING: FROM THE I AM.
3. Of loyalty,
a. Loyalty is faithfulness, 1 Thess. 5:24, “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”
b. Loyalty is fear of God, 2 Cor.7:1, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
c. Loyalty is humility, 1 Pe. 5:5, “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.”
4. Of a good ministry, Acts 6:4, “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” 1 Cor. 16:15, “I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)”
II. HE IS THE FIRST BEGOTTEN OF THE DEAD, v. 5.
A. He was raised from the dead, 1 Cor. 15:4, “And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
B. He lives today and we shall live also, 1 Cor. 15:22-23, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.”
III. HE IS THE ONE WHO LOVED US, v. 5.
A. He gave Himself a Propitiation for our sins, Rom. 3:25, “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”
B. He washed us from our sins, v. 5, “Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,”
C. He made us sons of God, 1 Jo. 3:1, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.”
D. He made us priests and kings, v. 6, “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
IV. HE IS OUR HOPE.
A. He is the author of our faith, Heb. 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.”
B. He is our hope for the future, Jo. 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
CONCLUSION:
Who is Jesus Christ to you? Is he your Savior? Is He who you live for?
If the answer to these questions is not “YES” then you have something wrong in your life. Jesus has done everything for you and He desires to be the one that sets on the throne of your life.
Taken from a message by Ron Thomas at Fellowship at the Birdwell Ln. BC, Big Spring, TX – 1999.

THE URGENCY OF KNOWING THE TRUTH–REVELATION 1:3

Art Davison REVELATION 0 Comment
THE URGENCY OF KNOWING THE TRUTH
REVELATION 1:3
Introduction:
Jesus came to His home town and entered the synagogue and open God’s Word and began to read, Luke 4:16, “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.”
This is the place where He was not readily accepted, yet He knew the need of these people hearing and knowing the Word of God. This was an URGENT NEED and the Lord treated it as such.
Today the need is even more urgent than at any time in history. Paul wrote in Romans 13:11, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” The NEED TO KNOW IS MORE URGENT NOW than at any time since God created this world.
I. THE BLESSEDNESS OF BEING INFORMED
A. Blessed is he that reads the words of this prophecy, Luke 4:16, “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.”
1. Moses read the Word of God before the people, Exodus 24:7, “And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.”
2. Joshua faithfully read the Word of God, Joshua 8:34, “And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. 35 There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.”
3. The effect of reading the Word of God, 2 Corinthians 3:2, “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:”
a. Lives were blessed, 2 Chronicles 31:10, “And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.”
b. Men are blessed who keep the sayings of the Word of God, Revelation 22:7, “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”
B. Blessed is he that hears the words of this prophecy, Luke 11:28, “But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”
1. Not everyone who claims to be a Believer will hear God, Matthew 7:21, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
2. Blessed are those that hear and seek the Lord with their whole heart, Psalms 119:2, “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”
a. Faith is seen in the doers of the Word, James 1:22, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
b. Those who not ONLY HEAR, but also KEEP those things, Romans 2:13, “(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.”
II. THINGS WHICH MUST SHORTLY BE DONE
A. To show His SERVANTS, Revelation 22:6, “And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.”
B. To PREACH the SAYINGS of this prophecy, Revelation 22:10, “And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.”
1. Jesus sent His disciples to preach, Matthew 10:7, “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
2. Jesus Himself preached, Matthew 4:17, “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
3. Jesus sent His Church to preach, Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
4. Paul admonished Timothy to preach in season and out of season, 2 Timothy 4:2, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
a. WARNING every man, Colossians 1:28, “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:”
b. NOT JUST at home, but to every tongue and people, Revelation 14:6, “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,”
C. Another Gospel is being preached by Satan’s emissaries, Galatians 1:9, “As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
1. Our enemy works hard, 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
2. The Devil is aware of the time, Matthew 8:29, “And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?”
CONCLUSION:
The TIME is SHORT and the HARVEST IS PLENTEOUS, Matthew 9:37-38, “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Are we praying and preaching?