Author: Art Davison

THE CASE OF THE MAN WITHOUT A WEDDING GARMENT–MATTHEW 22:1-14

Art Davison MATTHEW 0 Comment
THE CASE OF THE MAN WITHOUT A WEDDING GARMENT
MATTHEW 22:1-14
Introduction:

The King had sent his servants to invite his guest to the wedding feast for his son, but they refuse to come. Another invitation was made, but this time the king’s servants were mistreated and some killed, whereupon the Kings sent His army to destroy those that had killed his servants. [Jerusalem, AD 70, Roman general Titus]

The king declared those people “unworthy” and sends his servants to call others, both bad and good.

Now everyone knows that to attend a wedding you must be dressed properly for the occasion. While our society is somewhat relaxed today, in the Lord’s day in Israel, the occasion demanded special attire.

I. THE UNWORTHY

A. These had mistreated his Servants.

1. The first group when to their farms or merchandise, v. 5, “ But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:”

2. The rest of those invited, the ecclesiastics, the scribes, the Pharisees, the Chief Priests, were the persecutors, v. 6, “And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.”

a. The Prophets were thus abused, Matthew 23:29-31, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 31Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.”

B. These were the murderers of His servants.

1. These brought on the wrath of the King, v. 7, “But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.”

2. In 70 AD the Roman general Titus destroyed Jerusalem leaving no one rock upon another.

C. These had judged themselves worthy by their rejection of the invitation, Acts 13:46, “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.”

II. OTHERS WERE INVITED – “BOTH BAD AND GOOD.” vs. 9-10

A. “Bad,”

1. In a physical sense: diseased or blind, Matthew 4:24, “And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.”

2. In an ethical sense: evil wicked, bad, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

B. “Good,” those that will receive Jesus Christ as Saviour, Revelation 5:9, “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;”

C. “Come ye,” an invitation to all people, Isaiah 55:1-3, Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. 3Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.”

1. Why “labour for that which satisfieth not?”

2. Listen to the Word of God, Isaiah 55:3, “Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.”

III. THE KING SEES A GUEST WITHOUT A WEDDING GARMENT, vs. 11-14.

A. Everyone was invited, but there is a standard, v. 12, “And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.”

1. “How camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?”

a. Your robes must be better than religion offers, Matthew 5:20, “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

b. Everyone appears the same until they stand before the King, 1 Corinthians 4:5, “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”

2. “And he was speechless.” Romans 3:19, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”

B. “Bind him hand and foot, and take him away,” was the order of the King, v. 13, “Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

1. Without a wedding garment, i.e., Salvation by faith in Christ, there is no possibility of going to the feast (heaven), Revelation 21:27, “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

2. This guest without a wedding garment was cast into Hell, Matthew 13:42, “And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

C. “For many are called, but few are chosen.” v. 14; Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

CONCLUSION

Solomon said in Proverbs 16:25, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Religion looks good to man’s eyes until he examines it by the Word of God. Then the religious person finds themselves without a garment for the wedding feast.

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

THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS–PART 2–MATTHEW 24:1-14

Art Davison MATTHEW 0 Comment
THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS
MATTHEW 24:1-14
PART 2

Key: v. 8, “All these are the beginning of sorrows.”
Introduction:

This is the continuation of the first message on this theme. Before the coming of the Lord for the second time many things will happen.

Many will be deceived by the ministers of Satan as they speak with fair speeches denying the truth of the Word of God. They will declare their liberty as “Christians” to live a life of sin and lust that dishonors our Savior.

Wars and rumors of wars will be common and throughout the world will be famines and pestilence and sign in the heavens as well as here on the earth. But the end is not yet.

I. A TIME OF JUDGMENT BEFORE THE RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS

A. It will begin in the House of God, 1 Peter 4:17, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”

1. The time of separation:

a) Of the wheat and chaff, Matthew 3:12, “Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

b) Of wheat and tares, Matthew 13:30, “Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.”

2. Who can stand at such a time? Malachi 3:2-5, “But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: 3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. 4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years. 5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.”

II. PEACE AND SAFETY WILL BE THE MESSAGE OF THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS

A. Of the enemies of Christ, 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.”

1. The one-world government will be agreed on, Daniel 9:27, “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”

2. Religion will move toward a one-world religion with it message of peace and safety.

B. Then sudden destruction will come, 2 Thessalonians 1:9, “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”

1. This destruction IS NOT ANNIHILATION that many think takes place after death.

2. This is the BREAKING UP OF THEIR PEACE and SECURITY through the outpouring of God’s wrath, Matthew 24:8, “All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

III. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

A. We are in the last days, 1 John 2:18, “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.”

1. The spirit of antichrist is here, 1 John 4:3, “And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”

2. The deniers of Christ are here, 1 John 2:22, “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.”

B. Many have gone out from those of us who preach the truth, 1 John 2:19, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”

1. Some have grown cold, Matthew 24:12, “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”

2. Some have never been saved, 1 John 4:6, “We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.”

CONCLUSION

W. A. Criswell is quoted as saying before he died that he would be surprised to see 25% of his members in heaven. A. W. Tozer said that the number of lost professing Christians could be as high as 85%. Satan has been a busy man during the centuries.

Our time is limited and the stage is set for the Second Coming of Christ. What can we do that we are not doing to win others to Christ?

THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS–MATTHEW 24:1-14

Art Davison MATTHEW 0 Comment
THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS
MATTHEW 24:1-14

Key verse: v. 8, “All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Introduction:

The Lord is describing the “last days” to His disciples. He describes a time of great sorrow, not just for the world, but for the Lord’s people also.

It is a time of unbelief and of deception. Satan has attacked using every tool at his disposal. The Word of God is denied and many refuse to believe it. Ministers who appear to be God’s men, but in reality many are Satan’s men sowing discord and unbelief among professed Christians. Their words are smooth and persuasive bringing in “damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them.”

I. TAKE HEED THAT NO MAN DECEIVE YOU

A. Many shall come in my name, Matthew 24:24, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

1. False Christs, Acts 5:36-37, “For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. 37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.”

2. False prophets, 2 Peter 2:1, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.”

a) Many followed their ways, 2 Peter 2:2, “And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”

b) Ministerial charlatans full of sins, 2 Peter 2:14,“Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:”

B. Many shall be deceived, Matthew 24:11, “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.”

1. People LISTEN to them and FOLLOW them and their shameful ways of…

a) Debauchery, 1 Peter 4:3, “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:”

b) Filthiness, 2 Peter 2:7, “And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:”

c) Lust, 2 Peter 2:18, “For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.”

2. These have come in our mist PRETENDING to be men of truth, Jude 4, “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

a) Two characteristics identify these godless men:

1) Perverting God’s grace by claiming liberty in Christ, they interpreted His grace as license to do what their flesh desired with no inhibitions, Jude 4c, “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness,”

2) Rejecting God’s Son by denying the person and authority of Jesus Christ, Jude 4d, “and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

b) God has condemned these men, Jude 4b, “who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men,”
II. THE END IS NOT YET

A. War and rumors of wars:

1. A time to be patient, Luke 21:19, “In your patience possess ye your souls.”

2. A time to wait on the Lord, Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

B. Many signs shall be seen:

1. Famines:

a) A famine of bread, Psalm 105:16, “Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.”

b) A famine of the Word of God, Amos 8:11, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:”

2. Pestilence, Amos 4:10, “I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.”

3. Earthquakes, Luke 21:11, “And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.”

4. Signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, Luke 21:25, “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;”

C. The Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached throughout the world, 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.”

CONCLUSION

The end is not yet. The gospel is still being preached in many parts of the world and souls are being saved yet. When the Lord is finished then He will send His Son back. I don’t believe that day is far away.

THE ABUNDANCE OF GOD’S PROVISION–MATTHEW 14:13-21; 15:32-39

Art Davison MATTHEW 0 Comment
THE ABUNDANCE OF GOD’S PROVISION
MATTHEW 14:13-21; 15:32-39
Introduction:

The feeding of the large crowds that followed the Lord Jesus is an interesting study. There are two different ocassions in which He fed 5,000 and 4,000. Here is the Lord manifesting His great concern for the people. His compassion is seen as He cares not only for their physical needs, but also their spiritual needs.

The abundance of the Lord’s provision is clearly see also. He not only fed the multitudes, but also taught His disciples that they need not worry about where their needs would come from. They were to trust the Bread of Life.

I. THE FEEDING OF THE 5,000

A. The Compassion of the Lord, Matthew 9:36, “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”

1. They were like sheep without a shepherd, Hebrews 5:2, “Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

2. His compassion moved Him to see to their needs, Matthew 14:14, “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.”

a. Their physical needs were apparent, Mark 8:3, “And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.”

1) First He healed them, Psalm 107:19-20, “Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. 20He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”

2) Then He fed them, Matthew 15:36-37a, “And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 37And they did all eat, and were filled:”

b. Their spiritual needs were apparent only to Jesus, Isaiah 63:9, “In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.”

B. The Lesson of the Lord:

1. He is able to do much more than we can imagine, Ephesians 3:20, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”

2. He has the resources for every need, Matthew 14:16, “But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.”

C. The Provision of the Lord, Matthew 14:17-21.

1. Bring what you have to the Lord, v. 18, “He said, Bring them hither to me.”

2. Jesus blessed the provision, v. 19, “And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.”

3. Jesus multiplied the provision, vs. 20-21, “And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. 21And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.”

II. THE ABUNDANCE OF THE LORD ON THOSE OCASSIONS

A. Of the feeding of the 5000, Mathew 14:20, “And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.”

1. Everyone was perfectly satisfied, Psalm 103:4-5, “Who 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.”

2. There remained TWELVE { hand baskets } baskets full. The number twelve is regarded as suggestive of Divine Administration. This was probably provision for the twelve Apostles.

B. Of the feeding of the 4000, Matthew 15:37, “And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.”

1. Everyone was “filled,” Psalm 107:9, “For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.”

2. There were left SEVEN baskets full; the number SEVEN signifies to be full; abundant; complete.

3. These baskets were large enough for a man to sit in manifesting God’s abundance, Acts 9:25, “Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.”

CONCLUSION

Matthew 9:36, “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” The Lord’s compassion continues today because we are still fainting. We are still in need. Many are lost and undone without hope and the Lord looks on our situation with compassion and says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

THE TREASURE OF TALENTS–MATTHEW 25:14-30

Art Davison MATTHEW 0 Comment
THE TREASURE OF TALENTS
MATTHEW 25:14-30

INTRODUCTION:

We have a real treasure within ourselves, that is, the talents that God has given each of us that are to be used to glorify Him. What are we doing with those talents? Perhaps this study will give you insight as to whether you are glorifying the Lord with your talents.

I. ABILITY–the CAPACITY TO SERVE

God has given each of us exactly what we need in order to serve Him.

A. He has given us HIS GRACE in order to do the thing He has called us to do.

Ephesians 4:7-8, But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

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:

B. He has given the manifestation of the Spirit (the evidence that the Lord lives in us).

1 Corinthians 12:7, But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

C. He has given us the RIGHT SPIRIT in order to do the work.

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.

II. ANTICIPATION

God expects all Christians to serve Him with their God-given talents.

A. We should anticipate God’s call to serve Him by letting His light shire in our lives.

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.

B. The fact that the LORD has chosen us should bring anticipation of the great opportunities of service for 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.

C. We are His workmanship, that is, we were created for this purpose.

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.

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.

III. AVAILABILITY

The greatest ability is availability! Now honestly, are you really available to God?

Isaiah 6:8, Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

“I think it’s time we challenged the notion that the church is a volunteer army. Since when did God give us the option of enlisting? Does He discuss terms of commitment with us? Should faithfulness be expected only of those who get paid for their work?” (Edwin W. Lutzer, pastor of Moody Church in Chicago, Illinois).

IV. ACCOUNTABILITY

God will judge each Christian according to HIS SERVICE.

Matthew 25:14-30

A. We have to account to the Lord for the talents He has given to us and how we have used them for His glory.

B. An unfaithful servant will suffer loss of rewards when we stand before the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:10, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

CONCLUSION:

Our talents may not be many, but they are sufficient for the work the Lord has called us to do. Our responsibility is to put them to use in His service. NO BODY WAS EVER CALLED TO BE A BENCH WARMER!!!