Author: Art Davison

TO WHOM BELONGEST THOU?–I SAMUEL 30:13

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TO WHOM BELONGEST THOU?

1 Samuel 30:13, “And David said unto him, To whom belongest thou? and whence art thou? And he said, I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days agone I fell sick.”

Introduction:

This is a question that all men will answer before they die. The Lord knows the answer, John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” However, men must decide whom they wish to love and serve. Our nature is to sin and serve Satan, but the Grace of God has offered mankind salvation through faith in Christ.

I. THERE IS NO NEUTRALITY

A. You are either for the Lord or against Him, Luke 9:49-50, “And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.”

B. Chose today who you will serve, Joshua 24:15, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

1. No one can serve two masters, Luke 16:13, “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

a. He will hate the one and serve the other, Romans 6:16, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”

b. He will love and obey the other, Romans 6:17-18, “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

2. You must choose whom you will serve, 1 Kings 18:21, “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.”

a. To you was showed the truth, Deuteronomy 4:35, “Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.”

b. The people of Israel responded to the man of God, 1 Kings 18:39, “And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.”

II. WE BELONG UNDER THE BANNER OF PRINCE EMMANUEL

A. The Lord is God, Psalm 100:3, “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”

B. Jesus is Lord, Acts 10:36, “The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)”

1. God has given Him power, John 17:2, “As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.”

a. He has ALL Power, Matthew 28:18, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

b. God the Father has seated at His right hand, Ephesians 1:20, “Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,”

2. He has the power to save from sin, Matthew 9:6-8, “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. 7 And he arose, and departed to his house. 8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.”

a. Mercy belongs to God, Daniel 9:9, “To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;”

b. Grace is found in Him, Psalm 84:11, “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”

c. His banner of love is over us, Song of Solomon 2:4, “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.”

III. OR WE BELONG UNDER THE BANNER OF PRINCE SATAN

A. Satan is the prince of this world, John 12:31, “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.”

1. He is “the prince of the power of the air,” Ephesians 2:2, “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:”

2. He is “the god of this world,” 2 Corinthians 4:4, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

a. His followers have been blinded, John 12:40, “He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.”

b. Their hearts have been hardened that they might not see, Ezekiel 12:2, “Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.”

THE SCARS OF SIN–JUDGES 16:18-21

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THE SCARS OF SIN
JUDGES 16:18-21
Key verse: Judges 16:21, “But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.”

Introduction:

Everyone has heard the story of Samson and Delilah and it’s tragic end. The sad end of mighty Samson, who once had been so greatly energized and utilized by the Lord, is also an allegory and a grave warning to every Christian. “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: And sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:14-15).

I. SIN BLINDS THE INDIVIDUAL

A. Satan knows our individual weaknesses and tempts us accordingly, James 1:13-14, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”

B. As believers we are commanded to grow in Christ.

1. Desire the milk of God’s Word, 1 Peter 2:2, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”

2. Go on to strong meat, Hebrews 5:12-14, “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe, 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

C. As believers we are to add things to our faith, 2 Peter 1:5-7, “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”

1. Virtue (moral excellence), 2 Peter 1:3, 5a, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue;”

2. Knowledge, 2 Peter 3:18, ”But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

3. Temperance (curbing one’s desires and impulses, self-controlled), Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

4. Patience, James 5:7, “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.”

5. Godliness, 1 Timothy 4:8, “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”

6. Kindness, Ephesians 4:32, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

7. Love, Ephesians 4:15, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

D. He that lacks these things is blind, 2 Peter 1:9, “But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.”

II. SIN BINDS THE INDIVIDUAL

A. Unconfessed sin quickly enslaves its practitioners, Romans 6:12-13, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 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. You become servants of corruption, 2 Peter 2:19, “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.”

III. SIN GRINDS IN THE LIFE OF THE INDIVIDUAL

A. A sinful life soon becomes a “grind”, tedious and tasteless, 2 Peter 2:22, “But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”

B. Samson did return to God again before his death, but he was still blind, and bound, and grinding.

1. God forgives sin, 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

2. The effects of sin are not easily removed.

a. Israel wandered in the wildness 40 years and died because of their sin, Numbers 14:33, “And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness.”

b. David’s sin with Bathsheba almost destroyed his family, Job 21:19, “God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.”

C. How much better it is NOT to yield to sin, 1 Corinthians 10:13, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it”

CONCLUSION

Sin leaves terrible scars in our lives. Satan uses past sin in the life of a believer to bring discouragement and sorrow. Thank the Lord that God has already forgotten our confessed sin. It is under the blood of Jesus Christ. It is as far as the east is from the west from us in God’s sight.

But we still remember it, don’t we. Yet many continue to add scar upon scar to their rebellious life refusing to repent and confess their sin. They are great examples for their children and others who see their lives.

THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH–NEHEMIAH 8:1-12

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THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH.

NEHEMIAH 8:1-12
Key verse: v. 10, “Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Introduction:

A remnant of Israel had returned to Jerusalem to find the walls damaged and torn down in some places. Nehemiah was the governor and Ezra was the priest. Nehemiah’s responsibility to the Lord was to rebuild the wall of the city and to bring Israel back to the Lord.

Consider with me how the Lord worked among them. He can do the same among us today.

I. AND ALL THE PEOPLE GATHERED THEMSELVES TOGETHER, v. 1.

A. Israel had been in exile in Babylon for 70 years.

1. Israel had not followed the Lord for over 400 years.

2. God always gets His way even if he had to bring you and me into captivity to open our spiritual eyes.

B. Now Israel stood in Jerusalem once again.

1. Now they have an opportunity to serve God in a way that was pleasing to Him.

2. The Lord does not play second fiddle to anyone or anything else in your life.

II. AND EZRA THE PRIEST BROUGHT THE LAW BEFORE THE CONGREGATION, v. 1.

A. Everyone was present that could hear with understanding.

1. No one was absent or involved in other activities.

2. This was a meeting that each one considered vital to their well being as is all services in the Lord’s church today.

B. A pulpit of wood was made for the purpose of addressing the people, v. 2.

C. Ezra, the priest, opened the book in the sight [Heb. “eyes”] of the people, v. 5.

1. The priest was above the people so that he could be seen and heard.

2. When he opened the book of the Law “all the people stood up,” v. 5.

III. EZRA BLESSED THE LORD, THE GREAT GOD, v. 6.

A. The people responded by saying, “Amen, Amen.”

B. They bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD.

1. The people were humbled in the presence of the God of Heaven.

2. Their worship was from the heart.

IV. SO THEY READ IN THE BOOK IN THE LAW OF GOD, v. 8.

A. Ezra read the Law DISTINCTLY.

B. He gave the sense, that is, he gave the interpretation of the Law of God.

C. He caused them to understand the reading.

1. They explained in detail, v. 9a, “And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people,”

2. These were the men that God had called into special service for Him and they had been educated in the Word of God.

V. THIS DAY IS HOLY UNTO THE LORD YOUR GOD, vs. 9-10.

A. “Mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.”

B. This day is holy unto our Lord, v. 10.

1. “Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet.”

2. “Neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

VI. SO THE LIVITES STILLED ALL THE PEOPLE, vs. 11-12.

A. Hold your peace, for the day is holy, v. 11.

1. God help those who leave the Lord out of their lives today.

2. God help those who steal God’s time in their lives to play baseball or go fishing or whatever.

3. God’s day is a “holy day.”

B. God’s day is a DAY OF FELLOWSHIP with the Lord and His people.

1. For those who honor their Lord it is a day of “great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.”

2. For those who do not honor the Lord on His day, the Lord says about their idols, “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;” Exodus 20:5.

CONCLUSION

It behooves us to learn a lesson from the nation of Israel. They were a disobedient people and they paid the price for generations. Their children were not taught the Word of God as they were told to and the result was a nation of unbelievers that went to Hell.

THE BOOK, THE WORD OF GOD–NEHEMIAH 8:1-8

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THE BOOK, THE WORD OF GOD
NEHEMIAH 8:1-8
Introduction:

Nehemiah wrote of their worship service, “And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.” (Nehemiah 9:3).

Without the Word of God there is no knowledge of God among the people of this world. The importance of the Bible continues to be paramount in society. Unfortunately many no longer consider it relevant to their lives and have little or no knowledge of it. However, that does not relieve man of his responsibility to “seek the Lord.” Consider the following thoughts.

I. THE BIBLE IS AN INFALLIBLE BOOK

A. God’s Word is Pure, Proverbs 30:5, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”

1. God’s Word is Right Rejoicing the Heart, Psalm 19:8, “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.”

2. The Word of God is holy, just and good, Romans 7:12, “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.”

3. The wisdom of God’s Word is full of mercy and good fruits, James 3:17, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”

B. The Word of God is Perfect, Psalm 18:30, “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.”

1. It is a tried stone and a sure foundation, Isaiah 28:16, “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”

2. It is the foundation that the Apostle Paul laid, 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.”

II. THE BOOK OF GOD NEEDS TO BE EATEN

A. Jeremiah found and ate the Word of God, Jeremiah 15:16, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.”

1. The Word of God is sweet, Ezekiel 3:1-3, “Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. 2 So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. 3 And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it ; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.”

2. For those called by His name it is the joy and rejoicing of the heart, Jeremiah 15:16, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.”

3. Sometimes, however, the Word of God is a bitter dose of medicine, Revelation 10:9, “And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it , and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.”

B. It is rebellion not to partake of the Word of God, Ezekiel 2:8-10, “But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee. 9 And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein; 10 And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.”

III. THE WORD OF GOD IS THE BASIS OF JUDGMENT

A. The books of judgment, Daniel 7:10, “A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”

1. The book of the covenant, Exodus 24:7, “And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.”

2. The Book of the Upright, Joshua 10:13-14, “And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. 14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.”

3. The book of life, Revelation 20:12, “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”

a. The Book of rejoicing, Luke 10:20, “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”

b. The Book of Citizenship, Philippians 3:20, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:” [we live or conduct ourselves as citizens of heaven].

c. The Book of Terror for those whose names are NOT written there, Revelation 20:15, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

CONCLUSION

The Book of God, the Word of God, the Bible is still the most important book in this world. It is still the basis on which man will be judged and the only guide to reach heaven. The old Negro spiritual says, “Ev’rybody talkin’ ‘bout Heav’n ain’t goin’ there.”

PRAYER–II CHRONICLES 7:14

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PRAYER
II Chronicles 7:14; Colossians 4:2, “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;”
Introduction:

“It is interesting to remark how large a portion of Sacred Writ is occupied with the subject of prayer, either in furnishing examples, enforcing precepts, or pronouncing promises. We scarcely open the Bible before we read, “Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord; ” and just as we are about to close the volume, the “Amen” of an earnest supplication meets our ear. Instances are plentiful.” —Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Of all the sins that appear in the life of the average Christian, prayerlessness is probably the greatest sin of all. If we as God’s people would pray and seek His face, our lives would be richer and more enjoyable, and certainly more effective for the Lord. Let us consider what we find in Scripture.

I. CONSIDER THE LIST OF THOSE WHO FOUND PRAY A NECESSITY

A. Here we find Jacob wrestling with the Lord, Genesis 32:24-30.

1. Jacob wrestled with the Lord, vs. 24-25, “And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25And 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.”

2. Jacob did not let go until the Lord blessed him, v. 26, “And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.”

B. There is Daniel who prayed three times a day, Daniel 6:10, “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”

C. David, with all his heart, called upon his God, 1 Kings 14:8, “And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes;”

D. On the mountain we see Elijah, 1 Kings 19:12-13, “And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 13And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?”

E. In the dungeon Paul and Silas, Acts 16:25-26, “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.”

II. WE HAVE MULTITUDES OF COMMANDS AND NUMEROUS PROMISES REGARDING PRAYER

A. They teach us the sacred importance and necessity of prayer. We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in his Word, He intended to be conspicuous in our lives.

They teach us that we have much need of prayer.

1. So deep are our necessities, that until we are in heaven we must not cease to pray.

2. Do you want nothing? Then, you do not know your POVERTY.

3. Have you no need of mercy? Then, may the Lord’s mercy show you your MISERY!

III. A PRAYERLESS SOUL IS A CHRISTLESS SOUL

A. Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, Romans 8:26, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

B. Prayer is the shout of the fighting believer,

C. Prayer is the hymn of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus, Acts 7:59-60, “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

D. It is…

1. The breath of a Christian.

2. The watchword of a Christian

3. The comfort of a Christian

4. The strength of a Christian

5. Tthe honor of a Christian

IV. Your Prayer for this year
A. You might…

1. Be holy, 1 Peter 1:16, “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

2. Be humble, James 4:10, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

3. Be zealous, Titus 2:14, “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

4. Be patient, Romans 12:12, “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”

5. Have closer communion with Christ, 1 John 1:3, “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

6. Enter more often into the banquet house of His love, Philippians 1:9, “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;”

B. Pray that thou mayst be an example and a blessing unto others, 1 Timothy 4:12, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

C. Pray that you might live more to the glory of your Master, Psalm 50:15, “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”

CONCLUSION

Prayer ought to be an intregal part of our Christian life. Without prayer your Christian life is incomplete. Fellowship with the Lord has to include communion with God in prayer.

There you make contact with the Lord in order to know His will in your life. Our Lord Jesus Christ spent much time before the Father in prayer for guidance in every situation. How can we do less?