Author: Art Davison

ONE THING THOU LACKEST–MARK 10:17-27

Art Davison THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK 0 Comment
ONE THING THOU LACKEST
MARK 10:17-27
Key verse: 21, “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”
Introduction:
“What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” That is a legitimate concern in life, but not many are thinking about “eternal life” today. In fact, many are of the opinion that man is annihilated at death and that is all there is.
However, that is not the case here. This young man is sincere in his quest to know how that he “may inherit” eternal life. He wanted to do something to earn this life.

I. JESUS CHALLENGES THE MAN’S FALULTY PERCEPTION OF GOOD.
A. His concept of “good” was something measured by human achievement.
1. Most religion teaches salvation by good works.
2. Judaism had been reduced to this type of teaching long before the Lord was born.
B. Jesus sets him straight, v. 18, “And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.”
1. No one is good, absolutely perfect, except God alone, the true Source and Standard of goodness. See Romans 3:10.
2. The man needed to see himself in the context of God’s perfect character. Isa. 6:5
3. The man, unwittingly calling Him “good,” needed to perceive Jesus’ true identity.

II. THOU KNOWEST THE COMMANDMENTS
A. Man’s relationship with man, v. 19, “Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.”
1. This part of the Decalogue deals with man’s relation to other men.
2. Eternal life is a relationship between man and God.
B. A moral young man, v.20, “And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.”
1. He had been reared properly according to Jewish law.
2. He had lived by what he had been taught since he was a boy, since age 12 when he assumed personal responsibility for keeping the Law as a “son of the Law.”
3. This young man apparently felt that something was missing in his life, thus his question to the Lord.

III. ONE THING THOU LACKEST
A. With a penetrating look Jesus saw beneath the young rich man’s religious devotion.
1. Go and sell your possessions and follow Me, v. 21b, “go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”
2. Our Lord could see through the façade that hid what was on the interior of his heart, v. 22, “And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.” John 2:24-25, “…because he knew all men, 25-And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.”
3. Jesus’ loving action vividly illustrated that His blessing is freely given to those who receive it trustingly, Mark 9:36, “And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, 37-Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.”
B. The Lord’s astonishing observations.
1. His statement: v. 23, “And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!”
2. You cannot serve God and the riches of this world, Matthew 6:24, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
a. A choice has to be made, “for either he will hate the one, and love the other…”
b. You cannot hold on to both, “or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.”
3. Jesus makes another statement, v.26, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”
C. The disciple’s reaction, v. 24a, “And the disciples were astonished at his words.”
1. Who then can be saved? Matthew19:25, “When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?”
2. Perhaps they thought it was a “hard saying,” John 6:60, “Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?”
D. Jesus explains His statement, v. 27, “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”

CONCLUSION
Jesus told the young man, “One thing thou lackest.” That one thing was trust. He trusted in his possessions more than in the Lord. He loved the things that he had more than he wanted eternal life.
It is a miracle when someone put his faith in Jesus Christ. It is impossible for man to save himself because he will always being lacking one thing – FAITH in Jesus Christ.

HAVE I EVER MADE ANYONE THIRSTY FOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST?–MARK 9:49-50

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HAVE I EVER MADE ANYONE THIRSTY FOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST?
MARK 9:49-50

Matthew 5:13, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

Introduction:

At a meeting some young people were discussing the text, “Ye are the salt of the earth.” One suggestion after another was made as to the meaning of “salt” in this verse.
“Salt imparts a desirable flavor,” said one.
“Salt preserves from decay,” another suggested.
Then a Chinese Christian girl spoke out of an experience none of the others had. “Salt creates thirst,” she said, and there was a sudden hush in the room. Everyone was thinking, “Have I ever made anyone thirsty for the Lord Jesus Christ?”
I. “SALT IMPARTS A DESIREABLE FLAVOR.”
A. It makes things palatable, 2 Peter 2:20, “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.”
B. Elisha used salt to sweeten the brackish was of Jericho spring, 2 Kings 2:19-22, “And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is naught, and the ground barren. 20And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him. 21And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land. 22So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.”
C. No one desires a Christian who is not tempered by salt in his life, Matthew 5:13, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
II. “SALT PRESERVES FROM DECAY.”
A. Preserves from the decay of the marriage, Ephesians 5:21, “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
1. The husband accepts his biblical responsibilities, Ephesians 5:25, 28, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 28So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.”
a. As Christ…loved the church.
b. Men should love their wives “as their own bodies.”
2. The wife accepts her biblical roll, Ephesians 5:22-24, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23-For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24-Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.”
a. Submit to his position as head of the wife.
b. Be subject to his leadership in everything.
B. Preserves from the decay of the family
1. It preserves harmony, Philippians 2:4, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
2. It produces respect for the father, Hebrews 12:9, “Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?”
3. It produces reverence for God, Hebrews 12:28, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:”
III. “SALT CREATES THIRST.”
A. Salty tongue, James 3:12, “Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.”
1. Let your speech be seasoned with salt, Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
2. A fresh attitude, a new spirit, is what we need, Ezekiel 11:19, “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:”
1. Seasoned tongue, Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
2. Let the words of Christ dwell in you, Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
a. Richly, 1 Timothy 6:17, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;”
b. In all wisdom, Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
3. Season your offering with salt, Leviticus 2:13, “And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt.”
CONCLUSION
Salt played a big part in the life of an individual in the Bible. In Matthew 5:13 (above) the Disciples are likened unto salt, with reference to its cleansing and preserving uses.
Do you have salt in your Christian life that would cause someone to desire to be a Believer in Jesus Christ?

A CUP OF WATER–MARK 9:38-41

Art Davison THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK 0 Comment
A CUP OF WATER
MARK 9:38-41
Introduction:
What is done in the Lord’s name will last; and God does not forget it. The Apostle Paul advises us about showing mercy when he wrote in Hebrews 13:2, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” We really don’t know who some people are that the Lord puts in our lives from time to time, so we need to be faithful to the precepts of God’s Word regarding our treatment of them.

I. OUR LORD WILL NOT DISMISS AS TRIVIAL, ACTS OF MERCY DONE IN HIS NAME
A. God will not forget, Hebrews 6:10, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”
B. He will ultimately be rewarded by participation in God’s kingdom, Mark 10:29-30, “And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, 30- But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”
1. He is rewarded, but NOT on the basis of a good deed but because of God’s gracious promise to people of faith, Luke 12:31-32, “But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 32- Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
2. The reward is “in that day,” 2 Timothy 1:16, 18, “The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: 18- The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.”
3. “In that day” refers to the judgement seat of Christ, 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.”

II. YOU HAVE DONE IT UNTO ME
A. The King gives His word, Matthew 25:40, “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
1. The way we treat others reflects on our Savior, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15- And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”
a. Jesus willingly became incarnate and followed the path of obedience to the cross, Philippians 2:6-8, Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7- But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8- And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
b. He died for all, not just the elect, as some suggest, 1 Timothy 2:6, “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”
2. “Ye have done it unto me.”
a. Therefore the Lord is not ashamed to call us brethren, Hebrews 2:11, “For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,”
b. He is not ashamed to confess us before His Father, Matthew 10:32, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.”
B. Because you belong to Christ, 1 Corinthians 3:23, “And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.”
1. We are His servants, 1 Corinthians 7:22, “For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.”
2. We belong to God the Father by Christ Jesus, 1 Corinthians 8:6, “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”

CONCLUSION
A cup of water does not seem to be much, but we do not know the end of what we do. An insignificant gesture could have eternal consequences in the life of someone. The Lord gives us opportunity to be a blessing from time to time without knowing the end product of our kindness. It behooves us to be aware of these opportunities of service.

THEY SHALL BE CALLED THE CHILDREN OF GOD-MATTHEW 5:9

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THEY SHALL BE CALLED THE CHILDREN OF GOD
MATTHEW 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

Introduction:

We are not God’s children by nature, but rather by adoption. Our nature is contrary to that of the Lord and therefore strangers. Paul says in Ephesians 2:12, “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” He tells in Romans 8:15 that we have received the “Spirit of adoption,” “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”

Now there are some things about being His children by adoption that we should consider.

I. THE RIGHTS AND ROYALTIES OF BEING CHILDREN BY ADOPTION

A. We have the right to a new name, Revelation 2:17, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”

1. Before, a slave, now a child of God, Romans 8:16, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” Galatians 3:26, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”

2. Before, a sinner, now a saint, Ephesians 2:19, “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;”

B. We are heirs and joint heirs with Christ, Romans 8:17, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

1. Heirs by God’s promise, Galatians 3:29, “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

2. We are “heirs according to the hope of eternal life,” Titus 3:7, “That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

II. OUR ADOPTION INTO GOD’S FAMILY

A. Man adopts to supply a defect, because he has no children of his own, but God does not adopt for this reason.

B. God has a beloved Son, Matthew 3:16-17, “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

1. Jesus is just like His Father, Hebrews 1:3, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”

2. He is worth more than the angels of heaven, Hebrews 1:4, “Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”

C. When man adopts, he adopts but one heir while God adopts many, Hebrews 2:10, “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”

1. The estate of a man may be small and therefore suitable for only one heir.

2. The Lord has enough for all of His sons, John 14:2, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”

D. Man adopts with relative ease, but God adopts at great expense.

1. To make us creatures cost but speaking a word, Genesis 1:26-27, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

2. To make us sons cost the spilling of blood, Matthew 26:28, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” John 19:34, “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.”

E. Man adopts and settles earthly privileges upon the heir, but God give heavenly privileges to His heirs:

1. Justification, Romans 3:24, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”

2. Glorification, Romans 8:30, “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

3. God is our God, Hebrews 8:10, “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:”

CONCLUSION

God paid a high price to redeem us and make us his children. His only begotten Son spilled His own blood to save us from our sins. We will all enjoy the blessing that His sacrifice made possible. The least we can do is to love Him enough to follow His Word and serve Him with humility.

PRIVILEGES OF GOD’S CHILDREN-MATTHEW 5:9

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PRIVILEGES OF GOD’S CHILDREN
MATTHEW  5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

Introduction:
There are some glorious privileges given to God’s children. These are things enjoyed only by those who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour.
These things are reflected in His love for His children; in His patience regarding their weaknesses; in His protection of His children in this life. We see them in His revelations to His children regarding the truth of His Word; in the freedom His children enjoy in Christ; in His blessing and how He works all things for their good; and in His eternal protection of their souls.
I. GOD’S LOVE AND AFFECTION TOWARD US
A. As God’s children He has tender love toward us, Psalm 103:13, “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.”
1. “Pitieth” means “mercy,” which is a manifestation of God love, Jeremiah 31:20, “Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.”
2. God shows a difference toward His children, Revelation 3:19, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”
a. God afflicts with the same with which He adopts.
b. Affection is argument for sonship, Hebrews 12:7, “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?”
B. God manifests His love for us in the things we endure.
1. God had one Son without sin, but He has no sons without stripes, Psalm 89:31, “Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. 33Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.”
2. God admonishes to walk with care in the world, Ephesians 5:15-16, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
a. Not as fools {godless, immoral}, Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
b. But as wise {walk circumspectly, i.e., perfectly; to look with care}, Ephesians 5:17-18, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”
3. The trial of your faith is much more precious than of gold, 1 Peter 1:7, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”
a. Afflictions are refining, Proverbs 17:3, “The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.” “Fiery trials make golden Christians.” —Thomas Watson.
b. Afflictions are purifying, Daniel 12:10, “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.”
4. The eyes that sin shuts, affliction opens, 2 Chronicles 33:112-13, “And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, 13And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.”
II. GOD PATIENTLY BEARS WITH OUR MANY FLESHLY WEAKNESSES
A. A father bears with a child that he loves, Malachi 3:17, “And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.”
B. God’s love does not make Him blind. He sees sin in his people, but not with the eye of revenge, but rather love, 1 Corinthians 13:4a, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind.”
C. He sees His children as a physician does a disease in his patient, Luke 5:31-32, “And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. 32I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
III. GOD ACCEPTS OUR IMPERFECT SERVICE
A. He accepts those who will willingly lose their life for Him, Luke 9:24, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.”
1. Preserving our lives, Luke 17:33, “Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.”
2. Regardless of the difficulties, Acts 20:23-24, “Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”
B. He accepts those who have a willing heart for His work, Exodus 35:5, “Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD;”
1. Whose heart stirs him up, Exodus 35:21, “And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD’S offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.”
2. “According as he purposeth in his heart,” 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful [ joyous ] giver.”
IV. GOD PROTECTS AND PROVIDES FOR US IN THIS LIFE
A. We are NOT to worry about our needs, Matthew 6:31-32, “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.”
1. Following God’s directions, Leviticus 25:3-7, 18-22.
a. The Directions, vs. 3-7
b. The Promise, “ye shall dwell in the land in safety.” vs. 18-22
2. Trusting in the Lord, Psalm 37:3-5, “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”
a. Trust, Hebrews 6:10-11, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:”
b. Delight, Psalm 34:4-5, “Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. 5Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”
c. Commit (Roll thy way upon), Proverbs 16:3, “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.”
B. His PROVISION to meet those needs, Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
1. The first priority, 1 Kings 17:13, “And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.”
2. God will take care during all of our years, Genesis 48:15, “And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day.”
3. Fear not, Luke 12:32, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
V. GOD REVEALS TO US THE GREAT THINGS OF HIS WORD
A. These things have been HID from the “WISE,” Matthew 11:25, “At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.”
1. Because… Matthew 13:11, “He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.”
2. For this people’s heart… Matthew 13:15, “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”
3. Hear ye therefore… Matthew 13:17, “For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.”
B. As a loving Father, He TEACHES us, Psalm 143:10, “Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.”
1. He teaches us to PROFIT, Isaiah 48:17, “Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.”
2. He teaches us TO SEE what is veiled to the eyes of others as in the case of the young man with Elisha who saw the horses and chariots of fire, 2 Kings 6:17, “And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”
VI. GOD GIVE US FREEDOM IN CHRIST
A. Freedom to approach the throne of grace in prayer with boldness, Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
1. By the blood of Jesus, Hebrews 10:19, “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.”
2. With confidence, Ephesians 3:12, “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”
B. Freedom from “law of sin and death,” Romans 8:2, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
1. Grace reigns through righteousness, Romans 5:21, “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”
2. Having been made free from sin, we are become servants of righteousness, Romans 6:18, 22, “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness, 22But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”
C. Freedom of the fear of men, Hebrews 13:6, “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
1. Boldness based in trust, Genesis 15:1, “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”
2. The Lord is on our side, Psalm 118:6, “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?”
3. Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the hands of men, Daniel 3:16, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.”
D. Freedom and boldness to speak of the mystery of the gospel of Christ, Ephesians 6:19-20, “And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”
VI. GOD GIVE US GREAT BLESSINGS AND DOES THINGS FOR OUR GOOD
A. Good things work for good to God’s children.
1. David was overcome with God’s mercy, 2 Samuel 7:18, “Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?”
2. The mercies of God make His children more fruitful, Psalm 89:1, “I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.”
3. The Word of God works for good to God’s children, Proverbs 30:5, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”
a. It is the staff of life, Luke 4:4, “And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”
b. Blessed are those WHO KEEP His Word, Luke 11:28, “But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”
B. Evil things work for good to God’s children, Psalm 112:4, “Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.”
1. God has chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith, James 2:5, “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?”
2. God strengthens the inward man day by day, 2 Corinthians 4:16, “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”
3. God’s heroes of faith were made strong out of weakness, Hebrews 11:32-34, “And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.”
CONCLUSION
The great privileges of God’s children have been many. However, the greatest of all is the privilege to serve the One who died in my place. Even though our service is hindered by our sin nature, God still accepts it when given out of a will heart. God help us to be willing to honor and glorify Him with our lives.