Author: Art Davison

HOW GOD SOLVED ADAM’S SIN PROBLEM–GENESIS 3:6-7, 21

Art Davison GENESIS 0 Comment
How God Solved Adam’s Sin Problem
Genesis 3:6-7, 21
I. The Fall

 A. Eve is deceived by the serpent, Genesis 3:4-5, “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”
1. Satan took advantage by finding Eve near the tree.
2. Satan tempted her.
B. Adam is not deceived, Genesis 3:6, And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
1. Eve’s sin effected only herself.
2. But Adam’s sin affected the entire human race for he is the father of the race.1 Corinthians 15:22, For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

II. The Finality

Romans 5:12, Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

A. Adam’s sin brought death.

1. God had warned Adam,Genesis 2:17, But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

2. The Bible speaks of two kinds of death.

a. Physical death.

b. Spiritual death or the “second death.”  Revelation 20:14, And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. Revelation 21:8, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

B. Death is final.
III. The Farce
A. Adam’s attempt to cover his sin.
1. Sudden knowledge of things they did not need to know, Genesis 3:7, “And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.”
IV. The Future
A. God’s plan was ready.Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
1. The Lord is not surprised by Adam’s fall into sin.
2. God’s plan of redemption was planned before the world began. Revelation 13:8, And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
B. God puts His plan into action, v. 21.

1. God rejects Adam’s plan of salvation by works.
a. Adam and Eve tried to hide their nakedness by the works of their hands — fig leaves.

b. The Lord refused to accept Adam’s remedy for his sin.

2. God kills an animal or animals.
a. He provides tunics made from the skins of these animals.

b. The Lord himself clothed Adam and Eve.  Isaiah 61:10, “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”
(1) God “clothed me with the garments of salvation.”

(2) God “covered me with the robe of righteousness.”

C. God’s plan works perfectly because it is not contaminated with sin.

1. Adam’s works were contaminated because of his sin; Romans 7:18, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.”

2. The works of Jesus Christ are perfect, without sin; 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.”
Conclusion:
Adam’s solution for his sin was contaminated by his own sin.  Romans 8:8, “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” Therefore, the Lord stepped in and solved Adam’s sin problem. The only solution is God’s solution which is Faith in Christ.  Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
Adam devises a plan in fear of God’s displeasure, “and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.”
We see God’s rejection of Adam’s attempt to cover his sin in, Genesis 3:21, Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

GOING FORWARD–EXODUS 14:15

Art Davison EXODUS 0 Comment
GOING FORWARD
EXODUS 14:15
Introduction:
We are facing another new year with its challenges and opportunities. What will we do? We can maintain the status quo or we can “go forward.”
When Israel was leaving Egypt under the leadership of Moses, the people looked back to see Pharaoh coming with his army to destroy them. Moses knew what the Lord was going to do, but he called out to the Lord anyway. “And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:” Exodus 14:15. THE WORD OF GOD TELLS TO GO FORWARD…
I. IN THE POWER OF THE LORD, v. 14
A. Ye are of God, 1 John 4:4, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
1. The Son of God has given us understanding, 1 John 5:19, “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 20And 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.”
2. That we may know Him that is true, John 17:3, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
A. Ye have overcome them, 1 John 2:13, “I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.”
1. You have overcome the wicked one, 1 John 2:3, “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.”
2. You have known the Father, 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.”
B. Great is He that is in you, 1 John 3:24, “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.”

II. IN THE PEACE OF THE LORD, v. 14

A. There is NO PANIC in the peace of God, Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

B. The peace of God will “keep your hearts,” 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.”
1. The Lord 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.”
2. He gives us quietness in the face of adversity, Job 34:29, “When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:”
C. The peace of God will keep your minds, Hebrews 12:3, “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”
1. The Lord has given us a “sound mind,” 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
2. He has given us a “ready [willing] mind,” 1 Peter 5:2, “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;”
III. IN THE PATH OF THE LORD, v. 22

A. We are his workmanship, Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

1. We are his people, 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.”
2. We are the works of His hands, Isaiah 43:21, “This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.”
B. We were created to walk in good works, Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
1. In the past we walked according to the course of this world, 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. Now we walk in His paths, Isaiah 2:3, “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”
3. Now we walk in the light, 1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

CONCLUSION

As we anticipate this new year, let us walk in the light of the truth of God’s Word. Let’s not walk in sin that dishonors our Saviour, “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14.

GOING BACK TO BETHEL–GENESIS 12:1-13:4

Art Davison GENESIS 0 Comment
GOING BACK TO BETHEL
GENESIS 12:1-13:4
Introduction:
God called Abraham from unbelief to be a son of God and also to be the father of the nation of Israel. Many times the believer lives his life in a self-centered way thinking only of himself. Our life has a purpose much greater, that is, to glorify our God.
Abraham was the chosen of God to create a new nation; a people only for the LORD. He was like us many times, blind to the purpose of God and thus, disobedient. Bethel was a place of worship where Abraham encountered with the LORD.
I. ARRIVING AT BETHEL.

A. Abraham raised up an altar there, v. 8.
1. A place of worship.
2. Years later in this same place his grandson, Jacob, came to know the LORD, GENESIS 28:10-22.
B. Abraham called on the name of the LORD, v. 8.
1. Bethel was the place to meet with the LORD.
a. He did not understand the work that God gave him to do, but he was ready to try.
b. Later under the pressure of life, Bethel was his shelter from his difficulties.
2. Bethel was the place where he found strength to continue with the work that God had given him.
a. Prayer was made there.
b. Communion with God was found there.
c. Understanding was found there.
II. LEAVING BETHEL.

A. When things became difficult, v. 9-10.

1. A great famine was in the land, v. 10.
a. America has a great famine of the Word of God.
b. Life is more difficult because of that.
2. Running away is not the solution to the problem.
a. Abraham fled to Egypt and intered into more difficulties than before.
b. He lied about his wife, vs. 11-13.
c. His problems became more serious, vs. 14-17.
3. Abraham was thrown out of Egypt, vs. 18-20.
B. THE GRACE OF GOD IS YET SEEN IN ALL OF THIS, Genesis 13:2.
1. Even with Abraham’s disobedience, God still blessed.
2. But not to glorify Abraham, but rather to realize God’s purpose.
III. GOING BACK TO BETHEL.

A. HAVING BEEN FORCED OUT OF EGYPT ABRAHAM RETURNS TO BETHEL, Genesis 13:3-4.

1. At times the believer goes a long way from the LORD, but it is worth returning to the LORD.
a. Communion was restored.
b. Peace came back.
2. To remain away from the LORD only brings more problems.
a. To those close to you it brings problems because you are a disobedient son of God.
b. To you yourself it brings problems because you are losing the blessings that God wants to give to you.
B. ABRAHAM BECAME ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MEN IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD.
1. He believed in God, Genesis 15:6, “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
2. He became the Friend of God, James 2:23, “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.”
CONCLUSION

Abraham returned to Bethel. He learned his lesson. He learned to trust and depend on the LORD for everything in life.
Now the only thing lacking is for you to do the same. Now are you the rebel? Are you against everything and everybody? My brother, everything would be much more agreeable if you submitted to the will of God.
Don’t remain long away from Bethel (the house of God). Return!! Return to the communion of the Father and to your brethren in Christ.  Matthew 11:28 is for the believer just as much as it is for the unbeliever.

CALEB MY SERVANT–NUMBERS 14:17-24

Art Davison BOOKS OF MOSES 0 Comment
CALEB MY SERVANT
Numbers 14:17-24
Introduction:
Moses had sent out 12 spies to spy out the land and to bring back a report confirming the Word of God. However, the spies returned with a negative report seeing giants in the land that made them feel like grasshoppers in comparison to them.
Only Joshua and Caleb returned with a positive report saying that Israel was able to conquer the land. The other spies admitted that it was indeed a land that flowed with milk and honey as the Lord had said, but they refused to believe that God’s people could conquer it.
Israel rebelled against the Lord on that day, but Joshua and Caleb stood with Moses on the Lord’s side. Consider God’s servant, Caleb.

I. CALEB “WHOLLY FOLLOWED THE LORD”

A. Moses testified on Caleb’s behalf, Numbers 32:11-12, “Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me: 12 Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD.”

B. Six times in the Bible we are told that Caleb “wholly follow the Lord.”
1. His own personal testimony, Joshua 14:8, “Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.”
2. Moses confirmed Caleb’s testimony, Joshua 14:9, “And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children’s for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.”
II. CALEB SERVED GOD DISPITE THE OBSTACLES

A. He was firm and constant under pressure, Numbers 14:9-10, “Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not. 10 But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.”

B. Caleb was 85 years old, 25 years older than the other men when they entered the land, Yet he and his family alone, of all the tribes who entered the land, were able to complete God’s command to drive out all the pagan inhabitants from his inheritance—even though these were the same fearsome giants who had so terrified the ten spies forty-five years earlier, Joshua 14:12-15, “Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said. 13- And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance. 14- Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel. 15- And the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.”

III. “IF ANY MAN SERVE ME, LET HIM FOLLOW ME”

John 12:26, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”
A. The True Servant of God keeps God’s Commandments, John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
1. This is a test of love for the Lord, John 14:21, 23, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 23- Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”
2. He takes up his cross and follows, Mark 8:34,“And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
a. They leave the world behind, Matthew 8:22,“But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.”
b. God makes them soul winners, Matthew 4:19, “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
B. Many say that they love the Lord but do not do what He says, Luke 6:46, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”
1. They do not honor the Father, Malachi 1:6, “A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?”
2. God is not fooled, Galatians 6:7, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
3. He knows those that are His, John 6:64, “But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.”

CONCLUSION

Caleb was one of the great men of the Word of God that is not heard of much, but who was a man of great faith who loved his Lord.
Without a doubt we need men of his caliber today serving God. Perhaps he can be an example for us to follow in a time when many so-called Christian men are without courage and conviction.

BACK TO THE HOUSE OF GOD–GENESIS 12:1 – 13:4

Art Davison GENESIS 0 Comment
BACK TO THE HOUSE OF GOD
Genesis 12:1 – 13:4
Introduction:
God called Abraham from paganism to become a son of God. God chose this man to be the father of the nation of Israel.
Many times the believer lives his life in a self-centered way thinking only of himself. Our life has a greater purpose than to live for oneself. It is to glorify our God.
Abraham was chosen by God to engender a new nation, a people only for the Lord. He was like us in that he was blind to God’s purpose, and thus, disobedient.
Bethel was a place of worship where he met with God. At times, Abraham left doing God’s will and had to return to Bethel where he had left God.

I. ARRIVING AT BETHEL.

A. Abraham builds an Alter there, Gen. 12:8: “And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.”

1. This was a place of worship.

2. Later at this same place, Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, came to know God.

B. Abraham calls on the name of the LORD.

1. Bethel was a place to meet with God. Abraham did not understand the work that God had given him to do, but he was willing.

2. Later, under the pressures of life, Bethel became a place of refuge from his difficulties.

3. Bethel (the house of God) was the place where Abraham found strength to continue with the work that God had given him.

a. Prayer was made there.

b. Communion was enjoyed there.

c. Understanding was found there.

II. LEAVING THE HOUSE OF GOD.

A. When things became difficult, Genesis 12:9-10.

1. A great famine in the land, v. 10.

a. America has a great famine of the Word of God today.


b. Life is more difficult for this.

1) Crime is greater

2) Drug and alcohol use is epidemic.

2. Running from the problem does no good.

a. Abraham fled to Egypt.

b. He lied about his wife.

3. He is forced to leave Egypt because of his conduct.

B. The Grace of God is manifest in Abraham’s life, Genesis 13:2, “And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.”

1. Even in disobedience God blessed Abraham.

2. However, this was in order to fulfill God will in his life.

III. RETURNING TO THE HOUSE OF GOD.

A. After being forced out of Egypt, Abraham returns to Bethel. Genesis 13:3-4, “And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai; 4Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.”

1. At times the believer strays away from the LORD, but it is always a blessing to return.

a. Communion is restored, 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.”

b. Peace with God returns.

2. To remain away from God only brings more problems…

a. To those close to you because you are a disobedient son of God.

b. To you yourself because you are losing the rewards that God wants to give you.

B. Abraham became one of most important men in the history of the world.

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

2. He became the friend of God, James 2:23, “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.”
CONCLUSION

Coming back to the house of God always pays dividends. God blessed Abraham greatly when he obeyed God. He suffered the consequences when he disobeyed. Ultimately, he realized that obedience to God was easier than going against the Lord. He came back to Bethel (the house of God).