Author: Art Davison

NO KING IN THE LAND–JUDGES 21:25

Art Davison THE HISTORICAL BOOKS 0 Comment
NO KING IN THE LAND
JUDGES 21:25
Introduction:

The Book of Judges concludes with a final restatement of human failure concerning the moral and social anarchy of this period which preceded the monarchy. As stated three times before, Israel had no king (Compare: 17:6; 18:1; 19:1). The fact that everyone did as he wished is a sad commentary on the deplorable spiritual condition of the nation in those days and our nation in these days.

I. HUMAN FAILURE

A. In Moral Anarchy, Psalms 9:17, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”

1. Some things GOD KEPT SILENT about until now, Psalm 50:19-22, “Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. 20 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son. 21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. 22 Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.”

2. We will REAP WHAT WE SOW, Job 4:8, “Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.”

3. It is TIME to seek the Lord, Hosea 10:12, “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. 13 Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.”

B. In Social Anarchy, Psalms 7:16, “His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.”

1. The DOER of the law is JUSTIFIED, Romans 2:13, “(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.”

2. Our society is FULL OF VIOLENCE, Genesis 6:11, “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.”

3. The LEADERS of the land are “COMPANIONS OF THIEVES, Isaiah 1:23, “Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.”

II. EVERY MAN DID THAT WHICH WAS RIGHT IN HIS OWN EYES

A. A SAD commentary on the SPIRITUAL condition of a nation, Isaiah 1:4, “Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.”

B. America has become a REPROACH TO OTHERS, Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”

1. We are HYPOCRITES in the eyes of the world, Isaiah 9:17, “Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.”

2. Our CURSING HAS COME BACK upon our own head, Psalms 109:17, “As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.”

C. However, there is STILL HOPE for us as a nation, Psalms 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”

1. There CAN BE HAPPINESS if we will come to the Lord, Psalms 144:15, “Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: 12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: 13 That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets: 14 That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets. 15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.”

2. God HAS NOT DEALT WITH US AS WITH OTHER NATIONS, Psalms 147:20, “He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.”

a. We have NOT SEEN great violence but rather the RICHES of His GRACE, Ephesians 2:7, “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”

b. His Word HAS BEEN PREACHED by a multitude of God’s men, Psalm 107:20, “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”

c. God has BLESSED US EVEN MORE THAN He has Israel, 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.”

CONCLUSION

The Lord invites us to trust His Son as Savior and know God’s great blessings. Psalms 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” That is what America needs today more than anything else. They need to make Jesus their King and let Him rule in their lives.

GOD HAS MADE A COVENANT WITH ME–II SAMUEL 23:1-7

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GOD HAS MADE A COVENANT WITH ME
II SAMUEL 23:1-7
Key verse: v. 5.

Introduction:

When God deals with you and me it is on a personal level. He does not deal you and me, but with me as an individual. I am not concerned with you at that time. I am thinking of my needs, my spiritual needs. Consider the following thoughts:

I. “HE” HAS MADE A COVENANT WITH ME

A. This covenant is divine in its origin, Genesis 9:12-13, “And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.”

B. God, the everlasting Father, is the author, Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

1. Jesus is the Author and finisher of this covenant, Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

2. He is the Prince of the kings of the earth, Revelation 1:5, “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,”

3. El Shaddai, the Lord all powerful, Exodus 6:3, “And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.”

II. HE HAS MADE A COVENANT WITH “ME,”

A. It is of PARTICULAR APPLICATION, “with me,” Matthew 11:28-29, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. It is NOTHING TO ME that he made peace for the world, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

2. I want to have HOPE that he has made a covenant “WITH ME,” Hebrews 6:18-19, That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 WHICH HOPE WE HAVE AS AN ANCHOR OF THE SOUL, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;”

B. He has given me ASSURANCE that this covenant that He made WITH ME” will be kept, 2 Timothy 1:12, “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that HE IS ABLE to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

1. I have a SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE of the Lord, Psalms 9:10, “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”

2. God is for ME, Psalms 56:9, “When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.”

3. He is MY Lord, Philippians 3:8, “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,”

III. HE HAS MADE AN “EVERLASTING” COVENANT WITH ME

A. This covenant is everlasting in its duration, Luke 1:32-33, “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and OF HIS KINGDOM THERE SHALL BE NO END.”

1. An everlasting covenant means a covenant which had no beginning, and which shall never end, Ezekiel 16:60, “Nevertheless I will REMEMBER my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will ESTABLISH unto thee an everlasting covenant.”

2. God has promised that this covenant with not be broken or alter in any way, Hebrews 6:18, “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:”

a. It is impossible for God to lie, Titus 1:2, “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;”

b. Therefore, we have STRONG CONSOLATION, Isaiah 66:10-13, “Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her: 11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory. 12 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees. 13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”

CONCLUSION

The Lord has made a covenant with me that requires me to trust in Jesus Christ as my Savior. God has promised that He will never forsake me, Deuteronomy 31:6, 8, “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.”

HALF-HEARTED SERVICE–II CHRONICLES 25:1-2, 14

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HALF-HEARTED SERVICE
II CHRONICLES 25:1-2, 14

Key verse: verse 2, “And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.”

Introduction:

Amaziah inherited the throne of Judah form his father, Joash, at 25 years of age. He began well, but he did not serve God with his whole heart. Let’s look at the example that his father left behind.

I. The One Who Served Half-Heartedly.

A. Depending on others for your strength, 2 Chronicles 24:2, “And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.”

B. Results of this dependence, 2 Chronicles 2:15-21.

1. The Priest died, v. 15.

2. The King listened to the people, v. 17.

a. They LEFT the HOUSE OF GOD, v. 18.

b. They SERVED IDOLS, v. 18.

3. God sent PROPHETS, v. 19, “but they (the people) would not give ear.”

4. God raised up ANOTHER PRIEST, vs. 20-25.

a. He preached the truth, v. 20.

b. The King ordered him stoned, vs. 21-22.

c. God remembered His servant, vs. 22-25.

II. The One Who Served God With a Whole Heart.

A. Examples of faithful men in the Old Testament:

1. ABRAHAM, Genesis 15:6, “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”

2. DAVID, Acts 13:22b, “….and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”

B. Examples in the New Testament:

1. JESUS, John 4:34, “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 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.” John 6:38, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.”

2. THE APOSTLE PAUL, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

III. Exortations

A. From Paul to the young pastor, Timothy: 1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

B. From Paul to Titus: Titus 2:1, “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:”

Conclusion:

Our best example is Jesus Christ!! He is always an excellent example to those who want to serve the Lord.

GETTING USE TO CAPTIVITY–II CHRONICLES 36:22-23

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GETTING USE TO CAPTIVITY
II CHRONICLES 36:22-23
Introduction:

The Jews had an opportunity to return to their land after 70 year in captivity, but only a few returned. Many had learned to live in captivity.

Today many Christians have gotten use to living in captivity. They have replaced God in their lives with worldly things. John wrote in 1 John 2:15, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

Let us consider what has taken place in the lives of these professed Christians.

I. THERE IS AN ABSENCE OF PERSONAL HOLINESS IN THEIR LIVES.

A. God has CALLED US to holiness, 1 Peter 1:15-16, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

1. Perfect, [mature, of full age], Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

a. These are still babes in Christ, 1 Peter 2:2, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”

b. They should be mature, Hebrews 6:1, “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,”

2. Perfecting holiness IN THE FEAR of God, 2 Corinthians 7:1, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

B. They have REFUSED TO HEAR His words, Jeremiah 11:10, “They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.”

1. They have feigned faithfulness, Jeremiah 3:10, “And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.” [falsely].

2. They have gone after other gods, Deuteronomy 8:19, “And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.”

3. They are a stubborn and rebellious generation, Psalm 78:8, “And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.”

a. Their heart was not right with Him, Psalm 78:37, “For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.”

b. Their spirit was not stedfast with God, Psalm 78:8b, “and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.”

II. THERE IS AN ABSENCE OF SHAME IN THEIR DISOBEDIENCE

A. There is NO SHAME In their worldly relationships, 2 Corinthians 6:14-16, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

1. Evil associations, 1 Kings 11:4, “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.”

a. Common law marriage among “Christians,” (??)

b. Business associations with unbelievers.

2. Loving the world, 2 Timothy 4:10, “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.”

B. There is NO SHAME in their worldly pursuits, Proverbs 3:35, “The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.”

1. They sleep during the harvest, Proverbs 10:5, “He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.”

2. Their pride will not let them humble themselves before the Lord and return, Proverbs 11:2, “When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.”

3. They refuse instruction in righteousness, Proverbs 13:18, “Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.”

C. There is NO SHAME in their COWARDICE in service to the Lord.

1. “I don’t like the preacher.” Did you like all of your commanding officers you had in the Service? The Jews did not like Jeremiah and his message.

2. “I don’t like the confusion.” Did you jump ship when the battle began?

3. If you serve the Lord you can expect bad times, but if you don’t have the stomach for it just don’t get in our way.

CONCLUSION

Serving the Lord requires dedication, maturity and courage. Satan will not stand still while we win folks to the Lord. He just loves those Christians who can’t stand the confusion he can cause among God’s people. He loves to watch them give excuse and run from responsibility.

ENTER INTO A COVENANT–II CHRONICLES 15:1-7

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ENTER INTO A COVENANT
2 Chronicles 15:1-7

Key verse: 3, “Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.”

Introduction:

ASA — physician, son of Abijah and grandson of Rehoboam, was the third king of Judah. He was zealous in maintaining the true worship of God, and in rooting all idolatry, with its accompanying immoralities, out of the land (1 Kings 15:8–14). He died in the forty-first year of his reign, greatly honoured by his people (2 Chr. 16:1–13), and was succeeded by his son Jehoshaphat.

As you see in verse 3, the situation in Israel was bad when Asa became king. The Prophet of the Lord made the situation clear to Asa in verse 2, “Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.”

King Asa and the people entered in to a covenant to seek God, v. 12, “And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;”

Three things are involved in a covenant with the God of Heaven: Exalt the Savior; Equip the Saints; and evangelize the Sinner.

I. EXALT THE SAVIOR

A. Christ needs to be exalted In the family, Philippians 2:9, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:”

1. Christ should hold the highest respect among the members of the family.

2. Children should learn about the Savior in the home under the teaching of their father and mother.

3. Church attendance should be taught by example, Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

a. Children imitate their parents. If you go to the house of God irregularly, you children will take note that you do not think God is important and will drop out in their teen years.

b. Only one hour a week in church is a good way to damn your children to Hell.

B. Christ needs to be exalted In the Church.

1. Followers of God, Eph. 5:1, “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;”

2. Walk in Love, Eph. 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.”

3. Prove what is acceptable to God, Eph. 5:10-11, “Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”

4. Walk circumspectly, Eph. 5:15-17, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

II. EQUIP THE SAINTS

A. Perfecting the saints, , Eph. 4:11-12, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”

1. The responsibilities of the leadership of the church are to teach and train.

a. For the work of the ministry.

b. For the edifying of the body of Christ.

2. Perfecting the Work of the Ministry, Joshua 1:5-6, “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 6Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.”

B. Edifying the Body of Christ.

1. Foul language, Eph. 4:29, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

2. Bad habits, 1 Cor. 10:31-32, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:”

3. God warns the Believer, Col. 3:24, “But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.”

III. EVANGELIZE THE SINNER

A. Marching orders, Matt. 28:19-20.

1. Make disciples.

2. Baptize the disciples.

3. Teach the disciples.

B. The Harvest is plenteous.

1. The time is right, John 4:35, “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.”

2. A Great harvest, Luke 10:2, “Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.”

C. The Laborers are few.

1. The laborers are not the pastors. They are the members of the Lord’s churches.

2. Americans Christians have become lazy expecting their pastors and deacons to do the job of the members of the church.

a. Where is the JOY of God’s people?

b. It is in faithful service to the Lord, Matt. 25:21, “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

CONCLUSION

Will you enter into a covenant with the Lord to honor Him in your family life; in your church attendance and service in order to provide a good testimony for whoever might be watching?

Will you work with your pastor so that he might reach others with Gospel of Christ and build a strong church for the glory of Jesus Christ?

There is Great Joy in serving Jesus Christ and winning others to Him.