Author: Art Davison

THE LIGHTS OF GOD–MATTHEW 5:14-16; PHILIPPIANS 2:15

Art Davison MATTHEW 0 Comment
THE LIGHTS OF GOD
MATTHEW 5:14-16; PHILIPPIANS 2:15
Introduction:

The Lights of God include His Word, His Spirit, and the Believer in Christ.

We tend to think that only the Word of God and perhaps God’s Spirit are the only lights that man sees. However, the Lord reminds us that we who know Christ as Savior are lights also, v. 14, Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

I. THE REVEALING LIGHT—THE WORD OF GOD

A. He reveals the deep and secret things, Daniel 2:22, “He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.”

1. It reveals the truth about mankind, Romans 3:10-12, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

2. It reveals the depth of man’s sin, Isaiah 64:6, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

B. It reveals the condemnation that man is under, John 3:18, ”He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

1. God’s love does not dwell in man without Christ, John 5:40-42, “And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 41 I receive not honour from men. 42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.”

2. Because he doesn’t believe God’s Word, 1 John 5:10, “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.”

C. It reveals God’s love for man, 1 John 4:9, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.”

1. He became sin for us, 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.”

2. That we might be made the righteousness of God in him, Romans 3:21-22, “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:”

II. THE GUIDING LIGHT—THE SPIRIT OF GOD

A. He testifies of the Lord, John 15:26, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:”

B. He dwells in the believer, John 14:17, “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

C. He teaches the truth, John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

D. He convicts us of sin, John 16:8, “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”

III. THE SHINING LIGHT—THE BELIEVER

A. You are the light of the world, John 5:14, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”

B. Let your light shine, 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. We have the light of life, John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

2. We need to share it with others, Ephesians 5:8, “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:”

3. We need to communicate the joy of knowing Christ as our Savior, Titus 2:7-8, “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.”

CONCLUSION

The Light of the world is Jesus Christ. If you have been saved you are a light of some kind. You might be a DIM light or you might be a BRIGHT light, but you ARE A LIGHT.

If you have never trusted Christ as your Savior it’s time to do so right now and quite living in DARKNESS.

THE KING COMES IN JUDGMENT–MATTHEW 25:31-46

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THE KING COMES IN JUDGMENT
MATTHEW 25:31-46

Introduction:

The Second Coming of the Lord to this earth will mean that the Gospel will have been preached to every nation on the earth, Matthew 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”

In this passage the Lord causes us to think only of the final coming of Christ, Matthew 24:3, “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”

I. WHEN THE SON OF MAN SHALL COME TO THE EARTH IN HIS GLORY

A. He will come AS HE LEFT, Acts 1:11, “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

1. The Resurrection and Rapture of the Saints precedes His coming to the earth, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

2. The VISABLE Second Coming to the earth, Revelation 1:7, “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen”

B. His Advent will NOT be a GREAT DELIGHT to the WORLD, Revelation 1:7, “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.”

1. He will come in the CLOUDS with a SHOUT, Psalms 47:5, “God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.”

2. His coming will be SEEN by EVERYONE on earth, Zechariah 12:10, “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and THEY SHALL LOOK upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall MOURN for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in BITTERNESS FOR HIM, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”

a. The Jews will RECOGNIZE WHO IT IS that is coming BY THE TESTIMONY of God’s WORD, Isaiah 19:1, “The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.”

b. Daniel SAW A VISION of the coming to the Lord thus, Daniel 7:13, “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, ONE LIKE THE SON OF MAN came with the CLOUDS of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.”

c. Those that “PIERCED HIM,” THE ROMANS, will SEE Him, John 19:34, 37, “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.”

3. His coming will CAUSE GREAT FEAR, Revelation 6:15-17, “And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, HID THEMSELVES in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, FALL ON US, and HIDE US from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and FROM THE WRATH of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”

II. THE KING COMES TO GETHER HIS ELECT

A. The FIG TREE represents ISRAEL, Matthew 24:32-34.

1. Summer IS NEAR, the kingdom of God is nigh at hand, Luke 21:30-31, “When they now shoot forth, ye see and KNOW of your own selves that summer is now NIGH AT HAND. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, KNOW YE that the KINGDOM of God IS NIGH AT HAND.”

2. His Coming is AT THE DOOR, James 5:9, “Judge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: BEHOLD, the judge standeth before the door.”

B. My WORDS SHALL NOT pass away, Matthew 24:35; Isaiah 55:11, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall NOT RETURN UNTO ME VOID, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall PROSPER in the thing whereto I sent it.”

1. God’s Word will PROSPER in that which the Lord intended, Isaiah 45:23, “I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.”

2. The Lord’s COUNSEL will be REALIZED, Isaiah 46:10, “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, MY COUNSEL SHALL STAND, and I will do all my pleasure:”

C. The Lord had indicated GREAT CHANGES were coming, Luke 21:25-26, “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.”

THE KEYS–REVELATION 1:18–MATTHEW 16:19

Art Davison REVELATION 0 Comment
THE KEYS
REVELATION 1:18–MATTHEW 16:19

Revelation 1:18. “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

Matthew 16:19, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Introduction:

The Bible speaks of only tow sets of keys. The church was given the first set of keys by Christ during His public ministry on the earth. These keys are of great importance and the local church controls the use of these keys.

The second set of keys is in the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ. These keys have an effect on the lives of every man on the earth. No one will escape the effect of these keys if he does not take advantage of the keys that Jesus gave the church.

I. THE FIRST SET OF KEYS.

Matthew 16:19, “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

A. The keys of the preaching of the Word of God. Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

1. It is the church that has the responsibility to preach the Word of God.

2. Man has the responsibility of accepting the Word of God, Romans 4:3, “For what saith the scripture? ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS COUNTED UNTO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

B. The Keys of the preaching of the Truth. John 8:32, 36: “And ye shall know the truth, an the truth shall make you free. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

1. Knowledge of the truth is the key that opens many doors.

a. The door of liberty.

b. The door of democracy.

2. Knowledge of the truth in Christ frees man from the greatest burden of life, SIN. Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

II. THE SECOND SET OF KEYS.

A. Jesus Christ has this set of keys. Revelation 1:18, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

1. A key for the door of death.

a. The death of the body – separation of the soul from the body terminating life upon the earth.

b. This word in the Greek has the idea of misery because of sin that began on the earth, but continues and grows after death in Hell.

2. Another key is to the door of Hell.

a. Hades, In Biblical Greek it is associated with Orcus, the infernal regions, a dark and dismal place in the very depths of the earth, the common receptacle of disembodied spirits. Usually Hades is just the abode of the wicked, Luke 16:23, Rev. 20:13,14; a very uncomfortable place. Luke 16:23, “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”

b. This key also opens the Lake of Fire, the SECOND DEATH, Revelation 20:13-15, “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

1) The BELIEVER IN CHRIST dies only once.

2) The UNBELIEVER dies TWO TIMES.

a) A physical death.

b) A spiritual death (the second death) when he is cast into the Lake of Fire.

B. Do not wait to trust Christ as your Savior.

1. Time is not on your side, 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.)”

2. Jesus invites you to come, Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

CONCLUSION

Jesus has the keys of death and hell in His hands. If you leave this life without trusting Jesus as your Savior, that key to hell will turn in the lock to open the door to hell for you to enter for all eternity. There is not second change after death.

But there is time right now! Don’t put it off! Tomorrow never comes! You have today, now. RIGHT NOW!!!!!!

THE INSTITUTION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER–MATTHEW 26:26-30

Art Davison MATTHEW 0 Comment
THE INSTITUTION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
MATTHEW 26:26-30
Introduction:

This was an eventful day for the Lord and His Apostles. Mary the sister of Lazarus anointed the head of the Lord, Matthew 26:7, “There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.”

The Lord had to explain her motive saying in verse 10, 12, “Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me….12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.”

The Lord celebrated the Passover with His disciples.

I. THE OCCASION “And as they were eating…”

A. The Lord and His Apostles were assembled to observe the Passover on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, vv. 17, 19-20;

B. The Lord makes a STARTLING STATEMENT, v. 21;

1. The Lord mentioned this two days before the Passover, Matthew 26:2, “Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.”

2. Every account of the Lord’s Supper mentions this announcement by the Lord.

3. It was of paramount importance,

II. THE PASSOVER MEAL HAD NOW BECOME THE LORD’S SUPPER

A. This ceremony did not belong to the Passover but rather it pertained to HIS PERSON.

B. The Lord took Unleavened Bread, v.26;

1. He Blessed it, v. 26; 1 Corinthians 10:16b, “The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?”

2. He Broke it, v. 26, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 1 Corinthians 11:24, “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.”

C. The Lord took the CUP and gave thanks, v. 27;

1. He tells His disciples to drink all of it, v. 27.

2. The wine in the cup represents His BLOOD, v. 28; 1 Corinthians 10:16a, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?”

a. It was shed for the remission of sins, Hebrews 9:22, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”

b. This is the Blood of the Covenant, Exodus 24:8, “And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.”

D. The Promise of that His disciple would be with Him in His Father’s kingdom, vv. 29-30.

CONCLUSION

Paul suggested that we need to examine ourselves before the Lord on this occasion. 1 Corinthians 11:28, “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”

THE CHURCH, WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES–MATTHEW 16:18

Art Davison MATTHEW 0 Comment
THE CHURCH, WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES
MATTHEW 16:18
Introduction:

There are few doctrines about which there is more confusion than that of the doctrine of the church. Even among Baptist there is great confusion due to those who have chosen to disregard the clear teachings of the Word of God.

I. DELUSIONS ABOUT THE CHURCH.

A. The church is its buildings.

1. Many look at the church plant or buildings and think that they make what the church is.

2. The function of these buildings is to provide shelter from the elements in order to preach and teach the Gospel.

3. For hundreds of years churches had no buildings.

4. They provide space for the fellowship of God’s people, but are not dedicated solely to that end, but rather the to the teaching of God’s Word.

B. The church is universal and invisible.

1. The confusion:

a. The Family of God includes everyone who had trusted Jesus Christ as Savior since the time of Adam, Ephesians 2:19.

b. The Kingdom of God is Jesus Christ ruling over us, first in our hearts and eventually in our presence, Matthew 6:33. See also Mark 1:145-15; Luke 4:43; Matthew 13:41.

a. The Church of God…

(1) Is a local organization of baptized believers in Christ, 1 Corinthians 1:2.

(2) Has an address, Galatians 1:1-2.

2. The truth is that people do not make the distinction in the Scriptures. They listen to their teachers without examining the Word of God for themselves.

C. All churches are the same and equally scriptural.

1. Even though they do not have the same founder.

2. Even though they do not agree doctrinally.

D. The church disappeared during the Middle Ages.

1. This is the claim of the Protestants, who do not want to accept the Catholic Church is a true church.

2. This allows organizations, claiming to be true churches, which did not come out of the Reformation movement in Europe nor did Christ found them.

a. The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints = Mormons: Joseph Smith.

b. Seventh Day Adventists, Mary Baker Eddy.

c. Jehovah’s Witnesses, Charles Russell.

E. A person can be a good Christian without being an active member in a church, Hebrews 10:25.

1. If this is true, why did Christ organize His Church?

2. The Bible gives a high and holy place to the church of Jesus Christ.

II. DISTINCTIVES OF THE CHURCH.

There is a wide spectrum of belief and opinion concerning what constitutes a church. By and large many beliefs are based on human speculations and reasoning not founded in the Scriptures.

A. The New Testament Church is Divine in origin, Matthew 16:18.

1. The Lord himself founded and built His Church.

“The church whose charter is not issued by Christ, and whose credentials are not in Christ’s handwriting, must, sooner or later, see the handwriting on the wall. Every man-made church must share the fate of man, and since it has been appointed unto all men once to die, so shall it be with the work of their hands” (John William Porter, The Baptist Debt to the World, Baptist Heritage Press, p. 40).

2. For a church to be a true New Testament church, it must have been founded…

? At the Right Time: 30 AD.

? In the Right Place: Palestine.

? By the Right Person: Jesus Christ.

3. The first members were the Apostles, 1 Corinthians 12:28, “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16.

B. The New Testament Church is Local and Visible in its Manifestation.

The word “church” comes from a Greek word meaning “called out assembly.” The word appears 115 times in the New Testament:

98 – it refers to a local, visible congregation.

11 – No specific congregation, but in a generic or institutional sense.

4 – Non-Christian assemblies, Acts 19:32. See also, vs. 39, 41.

2 – Prophetic sense, Ephesians 5:27. See also Hebrews 12:23.

C. The New Testament Church should be Independent in its association. There is no scriptural evidence to support the existence of modern day conventions, fellowships or associations.

D. The New Testament Church is Autonomous, i.e., Self-governing, in its operation.

1. In Acts 6 the Church in Jerusalem acted thus in choosing men to serve as the first deacons.

a. Their qualifications are laid out in 1 Timothy 3:8-12.

b. Their duties were under the direction of the pastor, Acts 6:3.

2. In Acts 13 the Church in Antioch sent out Paul and Barnabas as Missionaries.

3. In 1 Corinthians 5 the Church in Corinth dealt with a morals problem.

E. A New Testament Church is restrictive in membership.

1. They baptized only those that received Christ as Saviour, Acts 2:41, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”

2. God added those folks to the church, Acts 2:47.

3. The Lord has perpetuated His church. True churches which are the offspring of the Church that Jesus built, have always been in existence, Ephesians 3:21. See Matthew 16:18 also. They have been known by various names during the ages: Montanists, Novatians, Donatists, Paulicians, Albegenses, Waldenses, and Anabaptists.

F. New Testament Churches are Missionary in their outreach, Acts 1:8.

1. We have been commissioned to preach the gospel to every creature, Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

a. Local or Home missions include your city (Jerusalem), your state (Judaea) and other states (Samaria).

b. Foreign missions include all other countries besides your country (unto the uttermost part of the earth).

2. We, as a church, have been empowered to accomplish what God commanded us to do, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:”

a. That happened on the day of Pentecost.

b. God’s power was manifested in the fact of men preaching the gospel in languages other than their own that they had not learned.

c. This power was manifested in the zeal of God’s people also.

CONCLUSION

Having studied the truth about the Lord’s church, every born-again Christian should be a member of a true church. They should attend regularly all of the services, Hebrew 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.” It is a simple and sensible responsibility and an area where so many fail the Lord.

We should support the Lord’s church with our tithes and offerings in order to reach the lost. Someone did that so that you could hear the Gospel and be saved. Can we do any less? 1 Corinthians 16:2, “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”

We should be ready to defend the Lord’s church…

? against unfounded criticism and attacks

? and respect the pastor, the man that the Lord has put in front of His work,

? as well as others in places of leadership.