Author: Art Davison

CHRIST, WHO IS OUR LIFE–COLOSSIANS 3:1-4

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CHRIST, WHO IS OUR LIFE
COLOSSIANS 3:1-4
Introduction:
The Lord during His life on this earth always did the will of His Father. His love for His Father was the motivating force in His life and He sought to implant that love in the hearts of men. He is the source of life according to John 1:1-3.
He is the Creator and created everything in this world and He found it good. In the following message we will look at the Lord and His ministry and the good things He sought to give to us.
I. CHRIST IS THE SOURCE OF OUR LIFE
A. We were spiritually dead, Ephesians 2:1, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”
B. The same voice that raised Lazarus made us alive, John 11:43-44, “And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 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.”
1. This is the voice that called the devils out of men, Luke 4:41, “And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.”
2. This is the voice that the sheep hear and know, John 10:16, 27, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”
II. CHRIST IS THE SUBSTANCE OF OUR LIFE
A. It is by his life that we live, v. 4, “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” 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:”
B. He is in us, 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”
1. The hope of glory, Colossians 1:27, “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”
2. The motivation behind our actions, Psalm 119:59, “I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.”
III. CHRIST IS THE SUSTENANCE OF OUR LIFE
A. What can the Christian feed upon but Jesus’ flesh and blood? John 6:56, “He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.”
B. “This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die,” John 6:51, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
C. He satisfies the hunger of the lost sinner, Psalm 65:4, “Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.”
IV. CHRIST IS THE SOLACE OF OUR LIFE
A. All our true joys come from him.
1. Job’s testimony, Job 8:19-20, “Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow. 20 Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers:”
2. The testimony of the psalmist, Psalm 32:11,“Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.”
B. His lovingkindness is better than life! Psalm 36:7, “How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.”
1. It continues in the lives of those who love the Lord, Psalm 36:10, “O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.”
2. It will never be taken from us, Psalm 89:33, “Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.”
V. CHRIST IS THE OBJECT OF OUR LIFE
A. He hastens the believer towards the haven of his Savior’s bosom, Hebrews 4:9-11, “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”
B. The Believer moves toward perfection in his fellowship as an arrow flies toward its target, 1 Corinthians 13:10-12, “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 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.”
C. He is the Captain of our salvation, Hebrews 2:10, “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”
VI. CHRIST IS THE EXAMPLE FOR OUR LIFE
A. He always did the will of the Father, John 5:30, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.”
1. He spoke the words of the Father, John 17:8, “For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.”
2. He went to the Cross and bore our reproach, Romans 15:3, “For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.”
B. He became obedient unto death, Philippians 2:8, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
CONCLUSION
Everything that Jesus did here He did in order to bring men unto Himself that they might have life. He is our life and without Him we are dead in our sins. He died on the Cross that you and I might have life and live in the presence of God the Father for eternity.

BELIEVERS ARE GOD’S DEMONSTRATORS–ROMANS 12:1-2

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BELIEVERS ARE GOD’S DEMONSTRATORS
ROMANS 12:1-2
Introduction:
People are always demonstrating for something or the other. Well, it is time that Christians demonstrated that the Lord has made a change in their lives.
It is time that our lives were dedicated to the One who saved us from our sins. Psalm 107:2 says, “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;” Let’s demonstrate what the Lord can do in our lives and in whomsoever will trust Christ as Saviour.
I. GOD’S PEOPLE
A. Professed Christians that are CHRIST-LIKE, 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.”
1. Those that demonstrate the NEW MAN, Ephesians 4:24, “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
2. Those that demonstrate that they are a NEW CREATURE, 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
a. We demonstrate that we are NO LONGER instruments of unrighteousness, Romans 6:13, “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”
b. We demonstrate that sin NO LONGER DOMINATES us, Romans 6:14, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
B. Professed Christians that are NOT like Christ, 2 Peter 2:9-10, “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 10But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
1. Those that demonstrate their CARNALITY, Romans 8:5-6, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
2. Those that demonstrate their PRESUMPTUOUSNESS (shameless and irreverently daring), Numbers 15:30, “But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.”
3. Those that demonstrate their SELF-CENTEREDNESS (self-pleasing, doing their own will), Proverbs 21:24, “Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.”
a. Their pride brings CONTENTION, Proverbs 13:10, “Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.”
b. Pride and selfishness is NOT of the Father, 1 John 2:16, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
II. GOD’S IMITATORS AND FOLLOWERS
A. FOLLOWERS of the Apostle Paul,
1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
1. An ENSAMPLE (the mark or impression of a stroke or blow, a print), John 20:25, “The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
a. The MARKS of a new creature, 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
b. The MARKS of a clean life, Luke 5:12-13, “And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 13And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.”
1) The CANKER of sin is compared to gangrene, a disease by which any part of the body suffering from inflammation becomes so corrupted that, unless a remedy is soon applied, the evil continually spreads, attacks other parts, and at last eats away the bones.
2) The CLEANSING POWER of Christ, Luke 6:18-19, “And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. 19And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.”
2. An EXAMPLE (something shown), Hebrews 8:5, “Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.”
B. FOLLOWERS of God, Ephesians 5:1, “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;”
1. Walk in LOVE, Ephesians 5:2, “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”
2. Let not UNCLEANNESS be named among you, Ephesians 5:3-5, “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”
3. Let no man deceive you with VAIN WORDS, Ephesians 5:6, “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.”
CONCLUSION
Too many Christians are giving a bad testimony in the world today. They look, sound and smell like to world to the point that they have no testimony for Jesus Christ at all. The hypocrites (ACTORS) playing a part. Their friends see them as they really are, just RELIGIOUS and nothing more.
We who know Christ will not be dominated by sin. Rather God can make us instruments of Righteousness.

ARE WE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS?–2 TIMOTHY 3:1-7

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ARE WE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS?
2 Timothy 3:1-7

Introduction:

Are we really living in the last days? For the answer to that question we need to look into the Word of God. Paul, writing to Timothy warns him of the dangers of these “perilous times.” They were not imagined, but rather, very real in his day as in ours.
Let’s examine these things to see if we are truly in the last days, some two thousand years after Paul warned Timothy.

I. PERILOUS TIMES
[HARD TO TAKE; HARD TO BEAR]

A. These are unholy times:
1. Irreverent, profane times, Hebrews 10:29, “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”
2. Wicked times, Proverbs 6:14, “Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.”
B. Without natural affection, Matthew 10:21, “And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.”
II. TROUBLESOME TIMES
A. For men shall be lovers of their own selves:
1. Loving one’s self, selfish, self-centered, 2 Corinthians 5:15, “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”
2. Too intent on their own interest, Romans 6:13, “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”
B. Covetous: loving money, avarice, Luke 12:15, “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
C. Unthankful: ungracious (wicked, odious, hateful), Deuteronomy 8:10, “When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.”
D. Disobedient to parents:
1. Disobedient, non compliant, Mark 7:10, “For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:”
2. Insubordinate, Mark 7:11-12, “But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. 12And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;”
III. DANGEROUS AND HARSH TIMES
A. Blasphemers,
1. Speaking evil, Daniel 7:25, “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.”
2. Slanderous, reproachful, railing, abusive, Psalm 101:4-5, “A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. 5Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.”
B. Boasters:
1. An empty pretender, Jude 16, “These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.”
C. Proud:
1. showing one’s self above others, 1 Timothy 6:4, “He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,”
D. Heady:
1. Rash (too hasty in acting or speaking), Ecclesiastes 5:2, “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.”
E. High-minded:
1. To make proud, to be insolent; Psalm 10:4, “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.”
F. Having a FORM [semblance] of Godliness:
1. Having the external appearance of reverence, respect; piety towards God, Isaiah 29:13, “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:”
CONCLUSION
From what we have seen in God’s Word, we are surely living in the last days. That being the case, it means that the Lord will be coming again soon. ARE YOU READY TO MEET THE LORD. ARE YOU SAVED.
What about you, the believer? Are you ready to meet the Lord? Is your house in order? Is HE SATISFIED with you? I believe that I would be getting things straight with Him because there is not much time left.

ANSWERING IMPORTANT QUESTIONS–TITUS 3:1-9

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ANSWERING IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
Titus 3:1-9

Titus 3:9, “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.”
Introduction:
Our business is neither to ask nor answer foolish questions, but to avoid them altogether. We should observe the apostle’s precept to be careful to maintain good works, Titus 3:8, This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”
If we do this we shall find ourselves far too occupied with profitable business to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings.
Then we can concentrate on questions of great value:
I. WHAT HAVE I DONE WITH JESUS?

A. Do I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? Acts 16:31, “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
1. Have I put my faith in Him as my PERSONAL SAVIOR? John 1:12, “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:”
2. Have I followed Him in Baptism as an OBEDIENT believer? Acts 10:47, “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?”
B. Am I renewed in the spirit of my mind? Ephesians 4:22-24, “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23-And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24- And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
1. Our minds are no longer darkened, 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. Our lives are no longer alienated from God, Colossians 1:21, “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled”
3. Our hearts are no longer hardened and impure, Nehemiah 9:16-17, “But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments, 17- And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.”
C. Am I walking not after the flesh, but after the Spirit? Romans 8:5, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
D. Am I growing in grace? Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
1. Other people see the grace of God in us by the way we speak, James 3:13, “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”
2. Our testimony proves our faith in Christ,1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.”
II. AM I ANTICIPATING THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST?

A. Am I looking for the coming of the Lord, Titus 2:13, Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
B. Am I watching, as a servant should do who expects his master? James 5:7-8, “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”
1. Look ahead to the Lord’s coming, Romans 8:24-25, “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”
2. Looking ahead with established hearts, Psalm 27:14, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”
CONCLUSION
Ask yourself, “what more can I do for Jesus?” We are saved. We know the truth. We are members of one of the Lord’s Churches. Are we sharing it with others?
Let’s determine to rebuild by the grace of God what some have tried to destroy. Satan would love to see this church and others die.

AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST–2 CORINTHIANS 5:16-21

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AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST
II CORINTHIANS 5:16-21

Introduction:

The purpose of this message is to show that we, as Christians, are in the eye of the world. The believer in Christ is marked in public. God has also marked us in a very special way – He has made us NEW CREATURES in Christ Jesus. Being thus marked by the Lord we become spectacles before those around us. What are these marks?
I. THE MARK OF REGENERATION
A. Now we know Christ by faith, vs. 16-17 “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
1. It is not after the flesh that we know Jesus Christ.
2. We know Him after the Spirit, that is, by faith as our Savior.
B. We are NEW CREATURES in Christ, v. 17, Galatians 6:15, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.”
1. Religion isn’t important in regard to salvation. Being a Jew does not open the gates 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.”
a. Circumcision had no value regarding salvation. It was always just a sign of ones faith in God’s Word.
b. Being a new creature in Christ Jesus is what matters to God.
C. Old things are PASSED AWAY, All things are BECOME NEW, v. 17. 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.”
II. THE MARK OF RECONCILIATION
A. Sin in our lives has offended our God, Habakkuk 1:13, “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity:”
B. Reconciliation is possible, vs. 18-19.
1. The God of Heaven offers His Son as Mediator, 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” See also Hebrews 8:6; 9:15.
2. It is our privilege to be reconciled to God by faith in Jesus Christ our Mediator, vs. 19, 21.
a. Jesus did not know sin, v. 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.”
b. He took upon Himself our sins on the cross of Calvary, Galatians 3:13, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”
c. In Christ we are JUST in God’s eyes, Romans 3:24, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”
III. THE MARK OF SANCTIFICATION
A. The word means “SET APART.”In Christ the believer is different from the rest of the world.
B. We are AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST,v. 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. The ambassador is a representative of another person or another country.
2. The ambassador does not express his own message.
a. In Latin-American countries Mary is called “Medianeira,” that is, a woman mediator.
b. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 2:5 that Jesus is the Mediator, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”
3. The message of the ambassador comes from the President or the king. The message of the believer is from God.
C. What kind of ambassador are you?
1. One who represents HIMSELF with his own message?
2. One who honors HIS GOD? Psalm26:8, “LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.”
a. With a GOOD TESTIMONY among the people.
b. ACTS WITH DIGNITY knowing that he REPRESENTS the God of Heaven and Jesus Christ, His Son.
1) He DRESSES as if he was going into the presence of the Lord.
2) His LANGUAGE and EXPRESSIONS ARE TEMPERED with every bit of knowledge that he has to express the message of the Lord in a DIGNIFIED MANNER.
3) He REMEMBERS WHO HE IS and WHO HE REPRESENTS at all times.
CONCLUSION:
I want to be an ambassador of the highest quality; the best representative for my Lord possible. I want to dress and act in a manner that OTHERS WILL KNOW that I am an AMBASSADOR FOR CHRIST that BRINGS NO SHAME ON MY LORD AND SAVIOR.
AFTER ALL I AM A NEW CREATURE IN CHRIST, AM I NOT?????