Author: Art Davison

THE BELIEVER, OWNER OR SERVANT–I CORINTHIANS 4:1-2

Art Davison I CORINTHIANS 0 Comment
THE BELIEVER, OWNER OR SERVANT

I CORINTHIANS 4:1-2

Introduction:

A believer is a person who trust or has confidence in another. A believer in Christ is a Christian, that is, someone who has faith in Jesus Christ as his savior. This belief is not just an attitude of the mind, but rather a condition of the heart as well.

As a believer in Jesus Christ, he becomes a servant of God by his own volition. Now he begins to think about his responsibilities as a servant of God. In the spiritual growth of the believer he becomes able to accept more responsibility and with time and experience, perhaps a position of leadership in the church.

Now, I ask: Is he the owner of his life or the servant of the LORD charged with the responsibility to take care of his life in order that God might profit by him? Does he give orders or does he serve? The response to these questions will determine if the believer shall be happy or unhappy in the LORD’S service.

I. Who Is The Boss?

A. The Creator is the boss, Genesis 1-2.

1. God the Father – “Abba, Father”

Romans 8:15, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”

2. God the Son.

3. God the Holy Spirit.

B. The Savior, Jesus Christ, John 1:12-13, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, John 16; Romans 8:14, 26, 14- For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 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.”

II. Who Is The Servant? The Believer!

A. The Stewards,

1 Chronicles 28:1 “And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that ministered to the king by course, and the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession of the king, and of his sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem.”

1 Corinthians 4:1-2, Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

1. Ministers of Christ.

(1) “Ministers” comes from a word that means “below” or “beside of.”

(2) Servant.

2. Stewards of the mysteries of God.

(1) Someone who has the responsibility for the faithful administration of the properties.

(2) He is responsible to administer according to his abilities that God has given him,

1 Peter 4:10, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Conclusion

The believer is not the owner of his life, but the servant of God. By faith in Christ he has surrendered the ownership of his life to be the servant of Christ. God has given him gifts (abilities) in order that he might be able to realize God’s will. What we do with those gifts will determine just how happy we are as a Christian.

THE AUTHOR OF PEACE–I CORINTHIANS 14:33; EPHESIANS 2:14-17

Art Davison I CORINTHIANS 14:33; EPHESIANS 2:14-17 0 Comment
THE AUTHOR OF PEACE

I CORINTHIANS 14:33; EPHESIANS 2:14-17

Introduction:

The most sought after commodity in the world is peace. Everyone seems to have a philosophy as to how to obtain that peace, but unfortunately there is no peace found in this world.

The reason that peace is not found by many is because they look in the wrong place for it. The Scripture says in Psalm 29:11, “The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.”

Peace and life are only found in Jesus Christ. However, Jesus says that men “will not come to me, that ye might have life.” (John 5:40). Our text says that God is Author of peace.

I. GOD CAME TO SPEAK PEACE

A. To His people Israel, Psalm 85:8, “I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.”

1. God will manifest His presence, Isaiah 60:1-2, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. 2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.”

2. The Word of God became flesh, 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.”

B. To the Gentiles, v. 17; Luke 1:79, “To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

1. The Gospel of Christ was preached to us, Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,”

2. He bore our chastisement to bring peace to us, Isaiah 53:5, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

3. He is the Prince of Peace, 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.”

II. THE LORD BROUGHT AN ABUNDANCE OF PEACE

A. This peace is for the meek [humble], Psalm 37:4, 11, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart, 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

B. This peace is for the UPRIGHT, Psalm 37:37, “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.”

1. The upright man is he who has trusted Christ, Galatians 2:16, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

2. This is a man who has contentment in life, 2 Corinthians 9:8, And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

3. He has great peace because he loves God’s Word, Psalm 119:165, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”

III. THE PEACE OF GOD IS NOT FOUND IN THIS WORLD

A. Jesus called it His Peace, John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

B. We have peace in the Lord because He has overcome the world, John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

1. He has justified us by faith in Him thus giving us peace, Romans 5:1, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

2. For He is our Peace, Ephesians 2:14, “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;”

a. He has abolished the enmity between God and man, Ephesians 2:15, “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

b. He slew the enmity on the Cross, Ephesians 2:16,And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

c. He preached peace to us, Ephesians 2:17, “And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.”

CONCLUSION

The Apostle Paul warns us in 1 Thessalonians 5:3, “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. We are living in those times now.

Thank the Lord that we have HIS PEACE in our hearts. We know that He cares for us and gives us HIS Peace in difficult times.

THE ABIDING REALITY–ROMANS 1:1-16

Art Davison ROMANS 0 Comment
THE ABIDING REALITY

ROMANS 1:1-16

Romans 1:1, “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,”

Introduction:

The most vital need of the Christian worker today is to know what is the most important thing in his life. The one thing that is all-important is that the Gospel of God should be realized as the Abiding Reality.

God has redeemed us from the curse of sin to show forth His Grace in Redemption. How we live our lives is the effect of the redemption that He has brought into our lives.

I. WHAT IS THE ABIDING REALITY IN THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVER?

A. Reality is not…

1. Human goodness, Ecclesiastes 7:20, “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.”

2. Holiness, Isaiah 35:8, “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.”

3. Heaven, Psalms 14:2, “The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.”

4. Hell, 2 Peter 2:4, “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;”

B. Reality is Redemption, Ephesians 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

1. Redemption is the only Reality, 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.”

2. Personal holiness is an effect of redemption, 1 Corinthians 6:19, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20- For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

a. Paul’s eyes were not on the personal whiteness of his own character, but on Jesus, 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.”

1) As long as our eyes are on self we will never get to the reality of Redemption, Isaiah 31:1, “Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!”

2) What is necessary is to “walk in His way,” Deuteronomy 10:12, “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,”

b. Paul did not say he separated himself, Galatians 1:15, “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,”

c. In God own time, Galatians 4:4-5, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

II. LIVING IN THE REALITY OF REDEMPTION

A. To TALK ONLY is a sign that the reality of the Gospel of Christ has NOT reached us, Exodus 32:32, “Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.”

B. Paul was UNCONSCIOUS of HIMSELF and separated by God for one purpose, the preaching of the Gospel, Romans 9:3, “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:”

C. That is the reality of our redemption, to reach people with the Gospel of Christ, Matthew 10:27, “What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.”

1. We can’t hid the light, Luke 11:33, “No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.”

2. Wisdom cries out, Proverbs 1:20, “Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:”

3. Understanding puts forth her voice, Proverbs 8:1-5, “Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? 2- She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. 3- She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. 4- Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. 5- O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.”

CONCLUSION

The Apostle Paul knew the reality of the Gospel of Christ. It was in the proclaiming of that Gospel that men might know Jesus Christ is redemption. And that redemption can only be known by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

We must say as the Apostle said, 1 Corinthians 9:16, “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”

THAT I MAY KNOW HIM–PHILIPPIANS 3:1-12

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THAT I MAY KNOW HIM

PHILIPPIANS 3:1-12

Key Verse: Philippians 3:10, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”

Introduction:

Knowing Jesus Christ as Savior is just the beginning of your knowledge of Him. There is so much more to know about our Savior.

To trust Jesus is to know Him and to know Him is to trust Him. Most Christians know very little about their Savior and that is a shame. God the Father wants us to know Him and His Son much better.

I. HOW DOES ONE KNOW JESUS?

A. We know Him by faith, Galatians 3:26, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”

1. We receive Him BY FAITH, John 1:12-13, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

2. We acquire ETERNAL LIFE by faith in Jesus, John 20:31, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

B. We know Him by the TESTIMONY of the Holy Spirit, Romans 8:16, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”

1. The Spirit of God has SEALED our salvation, 2 Corinthians 1:22, “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”

2. We have His pledge or GUARANTEE of eternal life, Ephesians 1:13-14, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”

II. IF YOU KNOW JESUS YOU KNOW GOD THE FATHER

John 14:7, “If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.”

A. Unbelievers in Christ DO NOT KNOW God the Father, John 8:19, “Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.”

1. They are WITHOUT GOD in this world, Ephesians 2:12, “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:”

2. They have NO HOPE outside of knowing Jesus Christ as Savior, 1 Peter 1:3, 21, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 21Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

B. Because of their unbelief, the Pharisees hated the Father because they hated Christ, John 15:24, “If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.”

1. By the works that Jesus did they should have believed in Him, John 5:36, “But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.”

2. Because of the works that God did in their midst they are INEXCUSABLE, Romans 1:20, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”

III. PROOF THAT WE KNOW HIM

A. We know Him if we keep His commandments, 1 John 2:3-5, “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”

1. A TRUE BELIEVER will keep His commandments, 1 John 3:22, “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”

2. His love for us MOVES US TO OBEY, 1 John 5:3, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”

3. By keeping His commandments His LOVE IS PERFECTED in us, 1 John 2:5, “But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”

B. He has given us an understanding, 1 John 5:20, “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”

1. To understand the Scriptures, Luke 24:45, “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,”

2. To know the ONLY TRUE God, John 17:3, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

3. To speak of His Word WITHOUT being ASHAMED, Psalm 119:46-47, “I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. 47And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.”

CONCLUSION

To know Jesus Christ as your Savior is the greatest blessing known to man. He has given us that opportunity and much more. He has given us understanding in His Word to go beyond just knowing the Savior, to live for Him and to glorify Him in our lives each day.

THANKSGIVING–II CORINTHIANS 4:15

Art Davison II CORINTHIANS 0 Comment
THANKSGIVING
II CORINTHIANS 4:15,
“For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.”

Introduction:

Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends. I look forward to getting together with the ones I love and share what God has given us, not only the good food, but also His blessings in other ways.

The Scriptures have a lot to say about thanksgiving. I would like to share some of these things with you today. I hope that we may be able to look with a different light on the things, both material and spiritual that God has done for us this past year.

I. BEGINNING THANKSGIVING IN PRAYER

Nehemiah 11:17, “And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.”

A. Praying always, Ephesians 6:18, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

1. Continuing in prayer, Colossians 4:2, “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;”

2. Instant and earnest prayer without ceasing, Acts 12:5, “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”

B. Praying is vital to the welfare of God’s people, Philippians 1:19, “For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,”

1. Being careful for nothing, 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.”

a. We are invited to come boldly before His throne, 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.”

b. We come through the blood of Jesus Christ, 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.”

c. We come make our request in the name of Jesus Christ, 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.”

2. Through prayer God sanctifies the things of this life, 1 Timothy 4:3-5, “Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”

II. SONGS OF PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

Nehemiah 12:46, “For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.”

A. Let us make a joyful noise before the Lord, Psalm 95:2, “Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.”

B. Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving, Psalm 100:4, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”

1. For His goodness, Romans 2:4, “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”

2. For His love, Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

3. For His faithfulness, Psalm 119:90, “Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.”

III. LET US PUBLISH WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE WITH THANKSGIVING

Psalm 26:7, “That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.”

A. We should love God’s house as David did, Psalm 26:8, “LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.”

B. We should worship with integrity (David washed his hands), Psalm 24:4, “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.”

C. We should praise God publicly for what He has done, Luke 19:37-38, “And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; 38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.”

CONCLUSION

I hope that this Thanksgiving will mean more to you than ever before. The world is not thankful because they do not know our Savior. So let’s make this Thanksgiving special for the glory of our Savior and God, Jesus Christ.