Sermons by Art Davison

“I AM” SERIES 

“I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD”

Introduction:

We live in a dark world of violence, distrust, immorality and sin in general because we have left the “Light of the World” out of our lives.

The Word of God gives us everything we need to know right here in this message to set everything straight with God. Consider what Jesus said in these passages as we look to the Word of God.

I. THE WORLD IS IN DARKNESS.

A. Darkness is a symbol of evil. 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.”

B. Darkness is a symbol of sin and death, Isaiah 9:2, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”

Matthew 4:16, “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.”

C. Darkness is a symbol of ignorance. Ephesians 4:18, “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:”

II. “LIGHT” IN THE BIBLE IS A SYMBOL OF GOD AND HIS HOLINESS.

A. Paul fell on his face before the light of God, Acts 9:3-4, “And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?”

B. God is light, 1 John 1:5, “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

1. Jesus is the “Light” of God, John 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”

2. He is the only Light, “the true Light” for the whole world, John 1:9, “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”

3. He is the Light to enlighten the Gentiles, Luke 2:32, “A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”

4. Christ is the Sun of righteousness, Malachi 4:2, “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.”

III. HE THAT FOLLOWS ME, AS A TRAVELLER FOLLOWS THE LIGHT IN A DARK NIGHT, SHALL NOT WALK IN DARKNESS.

A. It is our duty to follow his LEADERSHIP, Matthew 16:24, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

1. Many follow false lights that lead them to destruction; but Christ is the true light, Matthew 24:4-5, “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”

2. It is not enough to look at this light, and to gaze upon it,

a. But we must follow it,.., 1 Peter 2:21, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:”

b. Believe in it, and… John 12:36, “While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.”

c. Walk in it, 1 John 1:6, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

d. For it is a light to our feet, not our eyes only, 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.”

CONCLUSION:

John 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”

Here we have Jesus’ promise. If we walk in His light, we will NOT ABIDE IN DARKNESS. He says, “but shall have the LIGHT OF LIFE.” The “light of life” that He refers to, is ETERNAL LIFE by trusting in Him as your SAVIOR!

I AM THE LIFE

JOHN 14:1-6

Introduction:

In verse 6 of our text the Lord declare that He is “ the way, the truth, and the life.” In previous messages I have dealt with “the way” and with “the truth.” Now we consider the Lord as “the life.” In Matthew 16 the Lord asked the disciples “But whom say ye that I am?” Peter responds in verse 16: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” If Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and He is, than He has all power at His disposal and controls our very life. According to our text He is life and gives it to whom He will. Consider the Scriptures.

I. JESUS IS THE LIFE

A. He is the Bread of God, John 6:33-35, “For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 34Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”

B. He is the Water of Life, 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.”

C. He is the Light of Life, John 1:4, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” 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.”

D. Jesus has the “Words of Life,” John 6:67-69, “Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68-Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69-And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”

II. JESUS HAS POWER OVER LIFE

A. To call from the grave…

1. The case of Lazarus, John 11:1-44.

a) Dead four days, John 11:39, “Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.”

b) There is not limit to His power, John 11:40, 43-44, “Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 43And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44And 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.”

2. The case of the resurrection of the dead, 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. 28Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29And 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. To call to Life the Spiritually dead, Ephesians 2:1, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”

1. The PURPOSE of His coming was to give life, 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.”

a) We were dead in our sins, 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;”

b) We were alienated from the life of God, Ephesians 4:18, “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:”

2. His great love and mercy moved Him to saves us, Ephesians 2:4-5, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”

3. He showed the “exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us,” Ephesians 2:6-7, “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”

C. He is not only the Giver of life, but the Sustainer of that life, John 10:27-28, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

1. The life He gives is eternal life, 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.”

a) Our iniquities are forgiven, Romans 4:7-8, “Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.”

b) The Unbeliever is under condemnation, John 3:18, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

2. We are secure in His hand, Psalm 37:28, 40, “For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. 40And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.”

Conclusion:

The conclusion of this matter is that Jesus Christ is the life. Outside of Him there is no life. The last phrase of the verse 6 declares: “no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Jesus is the only way to Heaven. The next message will deal with that subject.

“I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD”

JOHN 10:1-16

Introduction:

This message continues the “I AM” series. Here we deal with two of the “I AM” phrases: “I Am the Door” and “I Am the Good Shepherd.” Here we recognize who the Shepherd is and His relationship to the sheep.

I. RECOGNIZING THE SHEPHERD.

A. A Thief and a Robber, v. 1, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.”

1. He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, Matt. 7:15, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”

2. But climbeth up some other way, Jer. 14:15, “Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.”

3. Their message is a lie, 1 Thess. 5:2-3, “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.”

B. The Shepherd stays with the sheep, v. 11, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.”

C. He that enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep, v. 2, “But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.”

1. The Shepherd is the One who preached the Gospel to us, Rom. 10:15, “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

2. This Shepherd is the Son of God, v. 30, “I and my Father are one.”

II. “I AM THE DOOR OF THE SHEEP.” v. 7, “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.”

A. Those that came before were thieves and robbers, Mark 13:22, For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

B. The sheep did not hear them, v.8, “All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.”

1. They do not know the voice of strangers, John 10:5, “And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.”

2. They do know the voice of the Shepherd, vs. 14, 27, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”

III. “I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD.”

A. The Good Shepherd gave his life for the sheep, v. 11, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

B. The Lord is the Shepherd, Ps. 23:1a, “The LORD is my shepherd;” Isa. 40:11, “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”

C. The Hireling cared not for the sheep and fled in the face of danger, Phil. 2:19-20, “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. 20-For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.”

IV. THE SHEEP OF THE SHEPHERD.

A. My sheep hear my voice, v. 27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”

B. And I know them, v. 14, I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”

C. And they follow me, v. 27; Matt. 16:24-25, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”

D. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, v. 28, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

CONCLUSION:

BEFORE ABRAHAM WAS, I AM

JOHN 8:37-59

Introduction:

In previous messages we have dealt with the titles of the “I AM”, but here I would like to look at just who Jesus is in regard to the title “I AM.”

He was not just another “teacher” or just another “prophet,” but rather He is the eternal God of Heaven. He is the Creator and Life Giver that we know as Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind.

I. JESUS WAS IN ETERNITY WITH THE FATHER BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN.

A. Jesus was with the Father before the world was, John 17:5, “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”

B. Jesus will be with the Father again, but this time with all of His saints, John 17:24, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”

II. JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.

A. Jesus was in the beginning at the creation of the world, John 1:1-2, “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.”

B. Jesus was involved in the creation.

1. Jesus made everything, John 1:3, “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

2. He made the worlds, Hebrews 1:2, “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;”

3. By Him all things consist, (held together). Colossians 1:17, “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” 1 Corinthians 8:6, “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”

C. Jesus is the “I AM” of the Old Testament,

1. Before Abraham, John 8:56-58, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 57Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”

2. Before Moses, Exodus 3:14, “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”

D. Jacob wrestled with Jesus, the Lord, Genesis 32:22-23, 29-30, “And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25-And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 29-And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. 30-And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.”

E. Jesus is the First and the Last of the Old Testament, Isaiah 41:4, “Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.”

F. Jesus is the Saviour of the Old Testament, Isaiah 43:11-13, “I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. 12I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God. 13Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?”

III. JESUS IS THE GOD OF HEAVEN.

A. Jesus is equal with God.

1. In the form of God, Philippians 2:6, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:”

2. Jesus is the very essence of God, Colossians 2:9, “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

B. The Savior’s claim to deity infuriated the Jewish leaders, John 5:17-18, “But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. 18Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.”

C. Because He claimed to be God the Jews accused Him of blasphemy, John 10:33, “The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.”

CONCLUSION:

The great “I AM” suffered humiliation and death at the hands of sinful men that He might bring salvation to man. Jesus is truly God. He is the creator and sustainer of this world. He is the Savior of this world also and without faith in Jesus Christ you will never see God or enter Heaven.

Trust Jesus Christ as your Savior now. The Bible says, “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 2 Corinthians 6:2.

“I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD”

JOHN 10:1-16

Introduction:

This message continues the “I AM” series. Here we deal with two of the “I AM” phrases: “I Am the Door” and “I Am the Good Shepherd.” Here we recognize who the Shepherd is and His relationship to the sheep.

I. RECOGNIZING THE SHEPHERD.

A. A Thief and a Robber, v. 1, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.”

1. He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, Matt. 7:15, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”

2. But climbeth up some other way, Jer. 14:15, “Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.”

3. Their message is a lie, 1 Thess. 5:2-3, “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.”

B. The Shepherd stays with the sheep, v. 11, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.”

C. He that enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep, v. 2, “But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.”

1. The Shepherd is the One who preached the Gospel to us, Rom. 10:15, “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

2. This Shepherd is the Son of God, v. 30, “I and my Father are one.”

II. “I AM THE DOOR OF THE SHEEP.” v. 7, “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.”

A. Those that came before were thieves and robbers, Mark 13:22, For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

B. The sheep did not hear them, v.8, “All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.”

1. They do not know the voice of strangers, John 10:5, “And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.”

2. They do know the voice of the Shepherd, vs. 14, 27, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”

III. “I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD.”

A. The Good Shepherd gave his life for the sheep, v. 11, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

B. The Lord is the Shepherd, Ps. 23:1a, “The LORD is my shepherd;” Isa. 40:11, “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”

C. The Hireling cared not for the sheep and fled in the face of danger, Phil. 2:19-20, “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. 20-For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.”

IV. THE SHEEP OF THE SHEPHERD.

A. My sheep hear my voice, v. 27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”

B. And I know them, v. 14, I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”

C. And they follow me, v. 27; Matt. 16:24-25, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”

D. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, v. 28, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

CONCLUSION:

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He is the Door to the sheepfold. Because He loves the sheep, God’s people, He has given His life for the sheep.