Author: Art Davison

THE BOOK OF COLOSSIANS–COLOSSIANS 1:1

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The Book of Colossians
COLOSSIANS  1:1-

Introduction:
The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Church at Colosse because of the threat of false teaching brought in by professed “Christian” Jews. These men came to be known as “Gnostics” taken from the Greek word for Knowledge.
“The Gnostics claimed a special, hidden knowledge not available to ordinary Christians. But their beliefs in fact contradicted basic Bible truths!” —Mathew Henry

I. THE TEACHINGS OF GNOSTICISM

A. It was JEWISH stressing the need to observe OLD TESTAMENT laws and ceremonies.
B. It was PHILOSOPHICAL, putting emphasis on some special or deeper knowledge (Greek=gn?sis).

C. It involved the WORSHIP OF ANGELS as MEDIATORS to God, Colossians 2:18, “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,”

D. It stressed a SPECIAL PRIVILEGE and “perfection” of those SELECT FEW who belonged to this philosophical elite.

E. Gnosticism DENIED THE DEITY OF CHRIST, thus calling forth one of the greatest declarations of Christ’s deity found anywhere in Scripture.

1. He is the image of the invisible God, Colossians 1:15-16, “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:”

2. The fullness of the deity dwells in Christ, Colossians 2:9, For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

II. THE APOSTLE PAUL RESPONS TO THE CHALLENGE BY AFFIRMING THE BASIC TENETS OF THE BIBLICAL FAITH

A. He made it clear just what God is like.

1. He is HOLY and RIGHTEOUS,

2. He is JUST,

3. He is LOVE,

B. He made it clear who Jesus is.

1. The SON of God,

2. The SAVIOR of mankind,

a. The WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE, John 14:6,

b. The Bread of LIFE,

c. The Water of life,

d. The Great Shepherd of the Sheep,

C. He made it clear how we come to know God,

D. He made it clear how we can experience a vital spiritual life through relationship with the Lord.

CONCLUSION

SIX MARKS OF CHRIST’S SHEEP–JOHN 10:1-42

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SIX MARKS OF CHRIST’S SHEEP
JOHN 10:1-42
Introduction:
Our Lord left us a great heritage that we must live up to in order to win other to Jesus Christ. It is a very high standard. We live in a world that almost no standard of morality and one that looks down on those of us who would live as the Lord desires us to live.
Here are six marks that are to be seen in God’s people by those around us today.
I. THEY KNOW THEIR SHEPHERD, v. 14
A. The Lord knows those that are His, 2 Timothy 2:19, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
B. The sheep know the Shepherd and have intimacy with Him, 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.”
II. THEY KNOW HIS VOICE, vv. 4-5, 8,16
A. They don’t know the voice of strangers, Mark 4:24, “And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.”
B. They will follow in the Lord’s footsteps, 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:”
III. THEY HEAR HIM CALLING EACH BY NAME v. 3
A. God knows us by name, Exodus 33:17, “And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.”
B. We hear His call and respond, 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.”
IV. THEY LOVE HIM
A. He loved us first, 1 John 4:19, “We love him, because he first loved us.”
B. They keep His commandments, 1 John 5:2-3, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3- For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”
V. THEY TRUST HIM, v. 11
A. He is the Shepherd, Psalm 23:1, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
B. He cares for them, Isaiah 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.”
1. He seeks His lost sheep, Ezekiel 34:12, “As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.”
2. He feeds them in green pastures, Ezekiel 34:14, “I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.”
VI. THEY FOLLOW HIM, vv. 4, 27
A. They follow Him wherever He goes, 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.”
B. He is our example in life, 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:”
1. He is meek and lowly in heart, Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
2. We are to be like-minded as Jesus was, Romans 15:5, “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:”
3. We are to walk in love, as Christ has loved us, 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.”
CONCLUSION

SIN–ROMANS 3:23; EPHESIANS 1:7

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SIN
Romans 3:23; Ephesians 1:7
Introduction:
The word “sin” is defined thus:
1) To miss the mark.
2) To err, be mistaken.
3) To miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honor, to do or go wrong.
4) To wander from the law of God, violate God’s law.
The result of sin is DEATH as made know by the Lord in Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”

I. ALL HAVE SINNED

A. Every living human being has sinned against God, Romans 10:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
B. All sin is against God, Psalm 51:4, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.”
1. A haughty look and a proud heart is sin, Proverbs 21:4, “An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.”
2. The lack of understanding for our actions, Proverbs 24:9, “The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.”
3. To do lawlessness or go over or beyond the law, 1 John 3:4, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”

II. TOTAL DEPRAVITY IS TAUGHT IN THE BIBLE

A. The heart of man is desperately wicked, Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things , and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
1. His heart is twisted and crooked, Deuteronomy 32:5, “They have corrupted themselves, their spot [blemish or defect] is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation.”
2. Their fruit is sin, Proverbs 10:16, “The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.”
B. Their heart is INCURABLY wicked, Ecclesiastes 9:3, “This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.”
1. Sinners and their sin are a reproach to society, Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”
2. Our lawlessness is multiplied more and more, Isaiah 59:12, “For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them;”

III. FACTS ABOUT SIN

A. God did not create sin, 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.”
B. Sin brought clear change in the attitude of man toward God and of God toward man, Romans 1:18, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”
1. “Few doctrines of the Bible are emphasized more emphatically than is the great doctrine of the wrath of God.” —W. I. Rogers.
2. From Genesis 3 and through out the Bible God’s wrath, anger and indignation is expressed many hundreds of times.
C. Only God can forgive sin, Mark 2:7, “Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?”
1. God blots out our sins, Isaiah 44:22, “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.”
2. Repentance and remission of sins are preached in Jesus name, Luke 24:47, “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
a. The Holy Spirit of God convicts man of his sin, John 16:8-9, “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;”
b. The sinner acknowledges his sin and trusts the Lord, Psalm 32:5, “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.”
c. Every man has to deal with his own sin, Deuteronomy 24:16, “The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.”
CONCLUSION

REST AND UNREST–MATTHEW 11:28-30

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REST AND UNREST
MATTHEW 11:28-30
Introduction:
Christians, by faith in Christ, have entered into rest. He is their peace. To all who come to him he gives rest, rest that is relief from the pressure of life, release from the turmoil of society and satisfaction to the soul.
I. REST
A. Rest for your souls, Matthew 11:28-29, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
1. In the old paths, Jeremiah 6:16, “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.”
2. Walk in the good way, Jeremiah 7:23, “But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.”
B. Peace like a river, Isaiah 48:17-18, “Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. 18 O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:”
1. The Lord leads us in the way that we should go, John 6:45, “It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”
2. If we do His commandments, Deuteronomy 5:29, “O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!”
3. The effect of obedience is peace, Isaiah 32:15-18, “Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest. 16- Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. 17- And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. 18- And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;”
C. Rest from the days of adversity, Psalm 94:13, “That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.”
1. Until the indignation be past, Isaiah 26:20-21, “Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. 21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood , and shall no more cover her slain.”
2. The Lord causes the weary to rest, Isaiah 28:12, “To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.”
3. He causes the troubled to rest, 2 Thessalonians 1:7, “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,”
4. The Lord deals bountifully with us, Psalm 116:7, “Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.”
D. Be careful not to come short of His rest, Hebrews 4:1, “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.”
II. UNREST
A. The Ungodly have NO REST in their soul, Psalm 1:4, “The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.”
1. The future does not look good for the ungodly, Revelation 14:11, “And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”
2. Their end is destruction, Job 31:3, “Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?”
B. The heart of man is DECEITFUL, Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
1. He walks in the stubbornness of his heart, Jeremiah 16:12, “And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me:” See Genesis 6:5.
2. He walks on the broad way to destruction, Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14- Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
3. Man is never satisfied, Proverbs 27:20, “Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.”
4. The Lord knows the heart of man, John 2:24-25, “But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.”
C. Knowing man’s need, the Lord offers His rest, Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
1. This is rest for the people of God, those who have received Christ as Savior, Hebrews 4:9, “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.”
2. Theirs is the promise of the celestial city and the heavenly country, Hebrews 11:10, 16, “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 16- But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.”
CONCLUSION
God’s rest is the greatest blessing that one can have. It means that he has put his trust in Jesus Christ as Savior. He has a home in Heaven and need not worry about his future. His rest is the rest of the soul.
The lost do not have that rest. Their life may appear tranquil, but at the hour of death their soul will not go to a place of rest, but rather a place of torment in Hell.

PRAYER–I SAMUEL 12:23

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PRAYER
1 Samuel 12:23, “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:”

Definition of prayer: A reverent petition made to God; An act of communion with God, such as in devotion, confession, praise, or thanksgiving; A fervent request.
To pray: To utter or address a prayer or prayers to God; to make a fervent request or an entreaty.

I. EXAMPLES OF PRAYER:

A. Moses prayed for the people, Numbers 21:7, “Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.”
B. Moses prayed for Aaron, Deuteronomy 9:20, “Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.”
C. Abraham prayed for Lot in Sodom, Genesis 18:20-33.
II. GOD PLACES GREAT IMPORTANCE ON PRAYER:
A. Job prayed for his friends and healed, Job 42:10, “And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.”
B. Samuel saw the importance on prayer, 1 Samuel 12:23, “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:”
C. Peter was prayed for by the Church in Jerusalem, Acts12:5, “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”
D. Hezekiah prayed for those who were unclear and yet ate the Passover, 2 Chronicles 30:18, “For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one.”
E. Jesus taught his disciples that men ought always to pray, Luke 18:1, “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”
F. Jesus prayed for Simon Peter, Luke 22:30, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”
G. Peter and John prayed for the Samaritans, Acts 8:15, “Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)”
H. Paul prayed:

1. For the churches:

a. At Rome, Romans 1:9, “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;”
b. At Colosse, Colossians 1:9, “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;”
c. At Thessalonica, 1 Thessalonians 3:9, “Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?”

2. For the Brethren:

a. For Timothy, 2 Timothy 1:3, “I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;”
b. For the testimony of God’s people, 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.”

G. How God expects you to pray, Matthew 6:5-6, “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”

III. How Jesus prayed:

A. Alone, Matthew 14:23, “And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.” Mark 6:46, “And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.”
B. Before major decisions, 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.”
C. Before His disciples in order to manifest His Glory, Luke 9:28, “And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. 29-And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. 30-And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31-Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. 32But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.”

Jesus taught His Disciples how to pray, Luke 11:1, “And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”

To the Father, Luke 11:2-4, “And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. 3-Give us day by day our daily bread. 4-And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.”

In Jesus’ name, John 14:13-14, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14-If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 15:16, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 16:23-24, “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24-Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”

In the proper attitude, Luke 18:10-14, “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11-The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12-I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13-And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14-I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

In the spirit of intercession, Colossians 1:9, “On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:”

The occasion for prayer:

When God’s people gather for worship, Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

When we need help, Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

When we are destitute in this world, Psalm 102:17-22, “He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. 18-This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD. 19-For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth; 20-To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; 21-To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem; 22-When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.”

When God has blessed us and we are thankful, Psalm 95:2-3, “Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. 3-For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

When we are watching for His Coming, Colossians 4:2, “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;” 1 Peter 4:7, “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.”

CONCLUSION