Author: Art Davison

RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH–II TIMOTHY 2:15

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RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH

II TIMOTHY 2:15

Introduction:

Rightly dividing the truth should be a major concern to a believer in Jesus Christ. The purpose of this study is to look at what the Scriptures say about this subject and determine if we are following those guidelines to the letter.

I. STUDY

A. This requires some effort, Hebrews 4:11, “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”

B. This requires some diligence, 2 Peter 1:10, 15, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.”

1. Constant in effort, 2 Peter 3:14, “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”

2. Not idle or negligent, Titus 3:8, This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

II. APPROVED

A. Jesus was approved of God, Acts 2:22, “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:”

1. His knowledge of the God’s Word was complete, John 7:15-16, “And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? 16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.”

2. To know the Word of God is acceptable to God, Romans 14:18, “For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.”

B. Knowing the Word is to be approved in Christ, Romans 16:10, “Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household.”

1. Therefore the Christian should labor to be accepted, 2 Corinthians 5:9, “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.”

2. He labors to be commended by the Lord, 2 Corinthians 10:18, “For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.”

C. This is not an effort to be approve of men, Galatians 1:10, “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”

D. God has place a great responsibility upon us, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.”

III. A WORKMAN

A. He has made us capable ministers, 2 Corinthians 3:6, “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.”

1. Not that we are sufficient in ability of ourselves, 2 Corinthians 3:5, “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;”

2. We must trust in His grace to do His will, Matthew 10:19, “But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.”

3. Paul found God’s grace sufficient, 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

B. Mediate on these things, Psalm 143:5, “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.”

1. This is God’s formula for success, Joshua 1:8, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

2. There is profit in following God’s counsel, 1 Timothy 4:15, “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.”

IV. RIGHTLY DIVIDING

A. That we might be faithful and wise stewards of God, Luke 12:42, “And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?”

1. Blessed is that servant, Matthew 25:34, “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:”

2. Blessed is that servant who is watching, Luke 12:37-38, “Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. 38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.”

B. For there is the danger of NOT rightly dividing the Word of God, 1 Corinthians 3:1, “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.”

1. Some handle the Word deceitfully, 2 Corinthians 4:2, “But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”

2. Some ought to be teachers but are not able, Hebrews 5:12, “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.”

3. They have not been diligent in the Word, Proverbs 10:4, “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.”

CONCLUSION:
Let’s be rich in the Word of God for His glory and honor!

REMEMBERING OUR SAVIOUR–I CORINTHIANS 11:23-34

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REMEMBERING OUR SAVIOUR

I CORINTHIANS 11:23-34

Introduction:

Paul was remembering what the Lord had told him regarding this of two ordinances. The first is baptism and the other is the Lord’s supper. It was this second ordinance that Paul had to deal with in the Corinthian Church.

There were disputes, division, and even heresy in that early church. Paul dealt with the problem in a very straightforward manner correcting the errors of God’s people.

I. THE AUTHORITY BEHIND THE ORDENANCE.

A. OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

1. The One who died in our place, Romans 5:6, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

2. The One who bore our sins, 1 Corinthians 15:3, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;”

B. The Very Son of God, Matthew 27:54, “Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.”

II. THE TIME AND ELEMENTS OF THE ORDINANCE.

A. It was the time of the Passover, Matthew 26:18-19, “And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. 19And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.”

B. The elements of the Passover were used in the Lord’s supper.

1. Unleavened bread was prescribed by the Lord in this very old feast of the Jews, Exodus 12:8, “And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.”

2. Wine was in the cup according to tradition.

a. In Exodus 12 no wine or drink is mentioned.

b. Wine was added to the feast later.

III. THE INSTITUTION OF THE ORDENANCE.

A. Our Saviour took bread… Matthew 26:26, “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.”

1. The bread was representative of His body, “this is my body.” “What is eaten is called bread, though it be at the same time said to be the body of the Lord, a plain argument that the apostle knew nothing of their monstrous and absurd doctrine of transubstantiation.” Matthew Henry.

2. The breaking of the bread spoke of his suffering for our sins, Luke 22:19, “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.”

B. And He took the cup… Matthew 26:27, “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

1. Every member was to participate.

2. The wine represented his blood “which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

C. Having finished they sang a hymn, Matthew 26:30, “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.”

CONCLUSION

The Apostle Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 11:27-28 that every believer needs to take care not to offend the Lord in this memorial supper, for he says, “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”

 

THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION–II CORINTHIANS 5:16-21

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THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION
II CORINTHIANS 5:16-21

Introduction:

We have heard about SIN and its destruction in the lives of men. Then we spoke of CONVERSION or RENGENERATION and how the Lord redeemed man. Then we spoke of PROPITIATION or the ATONEMENT for sin and how God provided a way for forgiven of our sins.

Now we speak of RECONCILIATION, which supposes a quarrel, or breach of friendship. Our sins have made a breach breaking the friendship between God and man.

I. REGENERATION IS…

A. Weaning from the world, 2 Corinthians 5:16, “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.”

B. A thorough change of the heart, 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

II. RECONCILIATION IS…

A. A privilege, vs. 18-19.

1. Reconciliation means there is a breach of friendship.

a) Sin has made a breach,

1) The heart of the sinner is filled with enmity against God, Romans 8:7, “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”

2) God is justly offended with the sinner.

b) Yet there may be a reconciliation, Romans 5:10, “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”

1) The offended Majesty of God is willing to be reconciled.

2) He has appointed the Mediator of reconciliation, 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”

2. He has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:18, “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;”

3. God is to be considered from first to last in the undertaking and performance of the Mediator, 1 John 4:10, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

a) He has appointed the ministry of reconciliation, 2 Corinthians 5:18, “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;”

1) It contained the word of reconciliation, 2 Corinthians 5:19, “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

2) It shows us that peace was made by the blood of the cross, Colossians 1:20, “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”

3) It shows us that reconciliation is made, 2 Corinthians 4:6, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

4) And he has appointed the ministry of the preaching of reconciliation, 2 Corinthians 5:19, “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

B. Reconciliation is spoken of as our duty, 2 Corinthians 5:20, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

1. As God is willing to be reconciled to us.

2. We ought to be reconciled to God.

3. It is the great purpose of the gospel,

a) To prevail upon sinners to lay aside their enmity against God.

b) Faithful ministers the Word are Christ’s ambassadors, 2 Corinthians 5:20, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

1) They come in God’s name to act in Christ’s stead.

2) They do the very thing he did when he was upon this earth, that is, preach the gospel of reconciliation.

3) By His ministers he admonishes sinners to repent, and accept of the terms he offers, that they would be reconciled to him.

i) To believe in the Mediator, 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”

ii) To accept the atonement, and comply with his gospel, Mark 1:15, “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”

iii) For our encouragement so to consider the Savior, 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.”

(a) The PURITY of the Mediator: He knew no sin.

(b) The SACRIFICE he offered: “He was made sin;” not a sinner, but sin, that is, a sin offering, a sacrifice for sin.

(c) The END of all this is that “we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

CONCLUSION

As Christ, who knew no sin of his own, was made sin for us, so we, who have no righteousness of our own, are made the righteousness of God in him.

Our reconciliation to God is only through Jesus Christ, and for the sake of his merit: on him therefore we must rely, and make mention of his righteousness and his only.

PREACH THE WORD–II TIMOTHY 4:1-4

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PREACH THE WORD
II TIMOTHY 4:1-4

Introduction:

The Apostle Paul said that “… the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18. Today more than ever that is true.

We will not stop preaching until Jesus comes for man needs the truth. He needs salvation in Jesus Christ because He is the ONLY SAVIOR. That is why Paul admonished Timothy to continue (be instant) to spread the Gospel of the grace of God. The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 40:9, ”I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.”

I. PREACH GOOD TIDINGS

Isaiah 61:1-3, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2- To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3- To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”

A. He hath sent me…

1. To bind up the brokenhearted, Isaiah 57:15, “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

2. To proclaim liberty to the captives, Isaiah 42:7, “To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.”

3. To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD [the year of Jubilee], v. 2; 2 Corinthians 6:2, “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”

4. To comfort all that mourn,

a. To give unto them beauty for ashes.

1) The ashes of persecution, Esther 4:1-3, “When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; 2 And came even before the king’s gate: for none might enter into the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.”

2) The beauty of salvation, Esther 8:15, “And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.”

b. The oil of joy for mourning, Psalm 45:7, “Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”

c. The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, 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.”

B. Warning every man, Colossians 1:27-28, “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:”

1. To establish them in the faith, 1 Thessalonians 3:2, “And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:”

a. Unblameable in holiness, 1 Thessalonians 3:13, “To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.”

b. Confirming the souls of professed believers, Acts 14:22, “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

2. That we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus, Ephesians 4:12-13, “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”

C. Continuing “instant in season, out of season,” standing by:

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

2. Give thyself wholly to these things, 1 Timothy 4:15-16, “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”

II. REPROVE, REBUKE, EXHORT

A. Exhorting every man, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.”

1. Warning the unruly, 1 Thessalonians 5:14, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”

2. That they may be sound in the faith, Titus 1:13, “This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;”

B. Teaching doctrine, 2 Timothy 2:25, “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;”

1. Instructing (chastening) those that oppose themselves, Galatians 6:1, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

2. That those who are lost might be saved, 1 Timothy 2:4, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

C. Paul charged every one that they “would walk worthy of God,” 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12, “As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.”

1. To please God, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.”

2. Worthy of your calling, Ephesians 4:1-2, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;”

CONCLUSION

Preach the Word! That is what we need to be doing. Preach and teach the truth not only to believers, but also to those who are lost.

OUR TRUE GOAL IS TO KNOW CHRIST–PHILIPPIANS 3:8-10

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OUR TRUE GOAL IS TO KNOW CHRIST
PHILIPPIANS 3:8-10

Introduction:

“The true goal of the Christian life is heaven; nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else.” This statement appeared in a Christian journal and was challenged by a Baptist pastor.

Our true goal is not heaven, but to know Christ. That is what the Apostle Paul is teaching in this passage.

I. PAUL WAS DETERMINED NOT TO KNOW ANYTHING EXCEPT JESUS CHRIST

A. Paul was determined to preach no other thing except Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 2:2, “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

“Any one that heard Paul preach found him to harp so continually on this string that he would say he knew nothing but Christ and him crucified.” —Matthew Henry

B. Paul considered the knowledge of Christ worth the loss of everything, v. 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,”

1. Outside of Christ there was no profit, Matthew 16:26, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

2. Outside of the knowledge of Christ there was only loss, v. 7, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.”

II. THE LOVE OF CHRIST PASSES KNOWLEDGE

A. To know the love of Christ is to be filled with the knowledge of God, Ephesians 3:19, “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

1. The workers of iniquity have no knowledge of God, Psalm 53:4, “Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.”

2. They do not have the beginning of knowledge, Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

3. They hated knowledge, Proverbs 1:29-30, “For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 30They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.”

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

1. To know Jesus is to know the Father, John 14:8-10, “Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.”

2. Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords, 1 Timothy 6:14-15, “That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;”

a. Blessed are those who are admitted to dwell with this great and blessed Potentate, 1 Kings 10:8, “Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.”

b. For He only is holy, Revelation 15:4, “Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.”

3. To know Christ is to rejoice in Him, 1 Peter 4:13, “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

a. To rest satisfied in the trust you have in him, Psalm 34:22, “The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.”

b. To rest satisfied in the benefits you have in him, Psalm 103:2-5, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

CONCLUSION

2 Corinthians 4:6, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Thank the Lord for His goodness to us. He has allowed us to know Him as our Savior. There is so much more to know about our Lord that our life time will be spent before we fully know all there is to know.