Author: Art Davison

BLESSED IS THE MAN–PSALM 32:1-11; ROMANS 4:6-8

Art Davison PSALM 0 Comment
BLESSED IS THE MAN
PSALM 32:1-11; ROMANS 4:6-8
Introduction:

“A Psalm of David giving INSTRUCTION.”


The Psalmist describes the blessings of His forgiveness, succeeding the pains of conviction, and deduces (to draw from) from his own experience instruction and exhortation to others.   –Jamison, Fausset, Brown

This psalm “is calculated to give the HIGHEST INSTRUCTION relative to the GUILT of sin, and the BLESSEDNESS of pardon and holiness. It is supposed to have been composed AFTER David’s transgression with Bath-sheba, and subsequently to his obtaining pardon.”  —Adam Clarke, Commentary by Gary Gallant.

I. GOD TURNS AWAY FROM HIS WRATH

A. Blessed is the man whose transgression is FORGIVEN, vs..1-2; Numbers 14:18, “The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.”

1. The Lord in His mercy TURNS AWAY from His ANGER, Psalms 85:3, “Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.”
2. We have done NOTHING to merit His favor, Romans 4:6, “Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,”

B. Blessed is he whose SIN is COVERED, Psalm 85:2, “Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.”

1. In His forgiveness we become WHITE as snow, Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
2. Our sins have been “BLOTTED OUT,” 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.”
3. He does not remember our sins, Isaiah 43:25, “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.”

C. “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin,” Romans 4:8.

1. In Christ, man has been reconciled to God, 2 Corinthians 5:19-20, “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  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.”
2. Jesus became sin FOR US, 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.”

D. Blessed is the man in whose spirit there is NO GUILE (deceit), Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

1. We see the deceitful workers of Satan on every hand today, 2 Corinthians 11:13, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.”
2. The believer is to put off the old man of deceit, Ephesians 4:22, “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;”

II. CONFESSION GIVES EASE TO THE CONSCIENCE
A. Sin is heavy on us, vv. 3-4; Isaiah 58:6, “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?”

1. Unconfessed sin is troublesome, v. 3; Psalms 31:9, “Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.”
2. The heart is smitten, Psalms 102:4, “My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.”

B. Confession of sin gives ease to the conscience, vv. 5-7; Psalms 51:12, “Restore unto me the JOY of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”

1. The godly will pray to the Father, Psalms 4:3, “But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.”
2. The godly will repent of their sins, 2 Corinthians 7:9-10, “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10- For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”

C. God will “cause thee to understand,” vv. 8-11; Psalms 34:11, “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.”

1. “I will guide you,” v. 8; Psalms 25:9, “The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.”
2. Be not without understanding as a horse, v. 9; James 3:3, “Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.”
3. Israel has been foolish, Jeremiah 4:22, “For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.”
4. They will have many sorrows, Proverbs 13:21, “Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.”
5. Be glad in the Lord, v. 11; Psalms 33:1, “Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.”

a. Rejoice before the Lord, Psalms 68:3, “But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.”
 b. The upright in heart have something to rejoice about, Psalms 97:12, “Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.”

CONCLUSION

A NEW SONG–PSALM 40:1-17

Art Davison PSALM 0 Comment
A NEW SONG
Psalm 40:1-17

Introduction:

The songs of the world today speak of unfaithfulness or tragedy. They speak of lost love and misery. However, in the life of one who has trusted Christ as his Savior there is a new song. A song that is full of happiness and joy and expectation of more joy. Consider how that happened.
I. THE LORD BROUGHT ME OUT OF A HORRIBLE PIT
A. The Lord has showed His mercy to me, Psalm 86:13, “For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.”
B. I found trouble and sorrow, Psalm 116:3, “The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.”
1. I was in danger of going to hell, Matthew 13:50, “And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
2. For the Scriptures teach that all those that forget God shall be turned into hell, Psalm 9:17, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”
C. The Lord heard the cry of my heart, v. 1; Psalm 130:2-4, “Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. 3 If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.”
1. The Lord opened my ear, Isaiah 50:5, “The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.”
2. The Lord forgave my sins, v. 4, “But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.”
a. The Lord is always ready to forgive, Psalm 86:5, “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.”
b. Even terrible sins the Lord forgives, Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
II. THE LORD SET MY FEET UPON A ROCK
A. God is our Rock, Deuteronomy 32:4, “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.”
B. He is the Rock that was struck out of which came the water of life, Exodus 17:6, “Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.”
C. That Rock was Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 10:4, “And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.”
1. Jesus is the Rock of Stability in our life, Luke 6:48, “He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.”
a. He is the foundation upon which the believer builds his life, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11-For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
a. Paul advises us to take heed saying, “But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon, 1 Peter 4:11, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
2. To other Jesus is the Rock of stumbling in their unbelief, 1 Peter 2:8, “And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”
a. They stumble because of unbelief, 1 Peter 2:7, “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,”
b. They think this is foolishness, 1 Corinthians 1:23, “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;”
III. THE LORD HAS PUT A NEW SONG IN THE BELIEVER’S MOUTH
A. God has put a new song in our mouth, even praise, Psalm 40:3, “And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.”
B. The Lord has had the victory over sin in our lives, Psalm 98:1, “O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.”
1. God the Father has made Him to be our Savior, Acts 5:31, “Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”
2. Therefore we sing a new song:
a. A song of faith, Exodus 15:2, “The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”
b. A song of happiness, Psalm 144:9, “I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.”
CONCLUSION:
The Lord has given us a new song. It is a song of praise and happiness because He has forgiven our sins and given us a home in Heaven. Unfortunately, many have rejected the Lord and their song has only a short time to last and then…eternity!

BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST–HEBREWS 3:7– 4:16

Art Davison THE HEBREWS SERIES 0 Comment
BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

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

Hebrews 3:7– 4:16
Introduction:

This is a lesson in Hebrew history. God uses what happened to Israel in the days when Moses led them out of the land of Egypt to teach us a lesson today.

Consider what happened to Israel when they did not believe the man of God when he spoke the message of God to them.

I. THE CATASTROPHE OF UNBELIEF

A. Israel saw the works of God first hand, Hebrews 3:9, “When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.”

1. They saw what God did to the Egyptians, Exodus 19:4, “When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.”

2. They had seen God open the Red Sea so that they could pass on dry land, Exodus 14:14-16, “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. 15-And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: 16-But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.”

3. They saw that God talked with Moses from Heaven, Exodus 20:22, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.”

4. They had seen all of God’s great acts, Deuteronomy 11:7, “But your eyes have seen all the great acts of the LORD which he did.”

B. Israel hardened her heart against the Lord, Hebrews 3:7-8, “Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8-Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:”

C. The CATASTROPHE of unbelief struck, Hebrews 3:19, “So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”

1. Because of their unbelief that whole generation of men died in the wilderness, Numbers 14:22-23, “Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; 23-Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:”

2. Because of unbelief they never knew God’s ways, Hebrews 3:10, “Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.”
II. THE CONSEQUENCES OF UNBELIEF

A. The Word preached did not profit them, Hebrews 4:1-2, “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. 2-For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.”

1. The Gospel was preached to them.

2. But it was not mixed with faith, Hebrews 3:18, “And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?

B. There was no rest for those who refused to believe, Hebrews 4:3, “For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.”

III. THE CURE FOR UNBELIEF

A. The Word of God, Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

1. They should have listened to the man of God, Hebrews 13:7, “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.”

2. God knew their need, but they refused to trust Him.

B. Jesus is our Great High Priest, Hebrews 4:14, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.”

C. Jesus can be trusted to keep His Word, Psalms 4:5, “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.”

CONCLUSION:

Psalms 18:8 says, “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Israel trusted 10 spies and lost their lives.

THE WORD–JOHN 1:1-4

Art Davison THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 0 Comment
THE WORD
JOHN 1:1-4
Introduction:

The Word, the LOGOS, is Jesus Christ. He was from the beginning with the Father. He is the Creator of this world and all of mankind.

He is the Incarnate Word of God, God in the flesh. He is the Saviour of man. He is the Life of man. The Scriptures declare Hiim to be the ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN.

I. JESUS IS THE WORD OF GOD

A. Jesus is the UTTERED WORD of God, Revelation 19:13, “And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.”

1. The eternal Word of God manifested, 1 John 1:1-2, “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-(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;)”

2. He is the eternal witness in Heaven, 1 John 5:7, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”

B. Jesus is the INCARNATE WORD of God, John 1:14, “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 was made flesh, Matthew 1:16, “And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.”

2. The Word was made of a Woman, Galatians 4:4, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,”

a. He came at the appointed hour, Ephesians 1:10, “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:”

b. He was born of a woman, Luke 2:10-11, “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11-For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

1) He was a partaker of flesh and blood, Hebrews 2:14, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;”

2) He became flesh that He might die for our sins, 1 Peter 3:18, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”

C. He was made under the Law, Romans 15:8, “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:”

II. JESUS IS THE WORD OF LIFE

A. He is THE 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. Our life is in the Son, 1 John 5:11, “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”

2. He is our life after death, 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:”

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

B. His life is the LIFE OF THE FATHER, John 5:26, “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;”

1. The Fountain of life, Psalm 36:9, “For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.”

2. The True God, Jeremiah 10:10, “But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.”

CONCLUSION

Jesus is the Word of God from the Beginning. He became flesh and walked among us and then He died that we might have life eternal.

THE LORD’S PLAN–ACTS 1:1-8

Art Davison BOOK OF ACTS 0 Comment

THE LORD’S PLAN
ACTS 1:1-8
Introduction:
During the time the Lord was upon this earth He worked hard to teach His disciples many things. His plan was to enable them to do an even greater work after His departure than was done before.
He had organized His Church and it was functioning well before the Lord returned to Heaven. However, He continued to teach right up to the moment of His departure. Consider these thoughts about His Plan for a greater work through His disciples left here on earth.
I. WAIT FOR THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER
A. John Truly Baptized With Water, Matthew 3:11, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:”
1. John had fulfilled his mission of identifying “the lamb of God,” John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
2. John had baptized in water many converts among whom were those chosen to be Apostles, Matthew 3:11a, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance:”
3. John promised another type of baptism administered by Jesus Christ, v. 11b, “he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:”
B. Ye Shall Be Baptized WITH the Holy Ghost.
1. This was a new part of God’s plan that Jesus Himself would fulfill, Acts 1:5, “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”
2. This was a one-time event that never needed to be repeated again.
3. This was the IMPOWERING of His Church to carry out His will, Acts 1:8a, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:”
4. Here God was equipping His Church to do the work of the future—build churches.
II. WAIT FOR POWER TO BE HIS WITNESSES THEN GO…
A. To Jerusalem, the city.
B. To all Judaea, the State.
C. To Samaria, the adjoining States.
D. “Unto the uttermost part of the earth,” foreign missions, Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature
III. WAIT NO MORE—GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD AND MAKE DISCIPLES
1. Invite them to come, Luke 14:15-23.
2. The “streets and lanes of the city,” the intercity, v. 21, “So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.”
3. “Go out into the highways and hedges” This was outside the city to reach every class of people, “the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.”
4. The more noble had been invited but treated the invitation lightly, Luke 14:18-20.
A. Compel them to come, Luke 14:22-23, “And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23-And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”
1. There was still room for more, v. 22.
2. Invite them again, “compel them to come in,” v. 23.
a. Here we see a contrast between our culture and that of Palestine. An American is invited by receiving a card and responds accordingly.
b. An Arab or Hebrew would be invited more than once. The first invitation is not expected to be accepted, so another will be forth coming generally by a servant coming to the home and giving the invitation orally. This is “compelling” them to come.
c. The person giving the dinner may make several invitations to the same individual expecting positive results.
C. How many times have you been invited by the Lord to come, Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
1. Do not take God’s invitation lightly. Matthew 11:27, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.”
2. The Lord does have a limit to His patience, Luke 14:24, “For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.”
CONCLUSION
The Lord’s plan continues to work and even though it appears that nothing may be happening close by, they are happening in other places.
It makes me wonder just what we are doing regarding the Lord’s plan. Have we given up and are satisfied to have someone here to preach our funeral or are we still in business for the Lord.

We are still preaching and teaching, but are we going to the highway and byways to reach people. If not we may be already dead and are just waiting for someone to throw dirt in our face.