Author: Art Davison

LIVING BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT–ROMANS 8:1-14

Art Davison ROMANS 0 Comment
LIVING BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
ROMANS 8:1-14

Introduction:

The Believer has the ability to live a successful life that is pleasing the God because he has the Spirit of God living within him. Even the Lord conceded that the flesh is weak, Matthew 26:41, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

We don’t have to be superhuman to live for the Lord. We just need to follow His Word and obey His commands because we have been redeemed from sin.

I. WE ARE NOT UNDER CONDEMNATION ANY LONGER

Romans 8:1-14, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

A. We are free from the law of sin and death, Romans 8:2-5, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

1. What the Law could not do, Romans 8:3, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:”

2. Christ fulfilled the Law, Romans 8:4, “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

3. Therefore we are to keep on being mindful of the things of the Spirit, Romans 8:5, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

a. There is a conflict, Galatians 5:17, “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”

b. The Spiritual Man seeks those things from above, Colossians 3:2, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

B. We are to be spiritually minded, Romans 8:6-8, “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”

1. The flesh cannot please God, Romans 8:8, “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”

a. A premature death can come when we live after the flesh, Romans 8:13, “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die:” but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”

b. Living through the Spirit is more desirable, Ephesians 4:30-31, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”

2. A Believer is not “in the flesh,” Romans 8:9, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

a. You are not controlled by your sinful nature, but by the Spirit of God, 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.”

b. The Spirit verifies that we are the His children, Romans 8:16, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”

3. We are in Christ and therefore dead to sin, Romans 8:10, “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”

II. AT HIS COMING CHRIST WILL QUICKEN OUR MORTAL BODIES

Romans 8:11, “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”

A. Therefore we have an obligation NOT to live after the flesh, Romans 8:12, “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.”

1. Our responsibility is a POSITIVE one, —to live each day in the control and power of the Holy Spirit.

2. We are to deny ungodliness, Titus 2:12, “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”

a. To live soberly [ with a sound mind ], 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

b. To live righteously [ trusting God ], Romans 4:3, “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”

c. To live godly [ holy ], 1 Peter 1:15-16, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

B. Living in the flesh grieves [offends ] the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 4:30, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

1. The things that offend, Ephesians 4:31, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”

2. The things that please Him, Ephesians 4:32, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

CONCLUSION

Living for the Lord is done through the power of the Spirit of Christ that lives within us.

JUSTIFICATION–JOB 9:2b

Art Davison THE BOOK OF JOB 0 Comment
JUSTIFICATION
JOB 9:2b,
“But how should man be just with God?”

Galatians 3:8, “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.”

Introduction:

“How should a man be just with God?” That is the question that Job asked in Job 9:2. We are sinners before the Lord and therefore need to be reconciled with Him. Justification is a part of that, but just what is it all about. Do you know how to respond to Job’s question?

I. WHAT IS JUSTIFICATION?

A. Justification is the state of being “free from guilt and exposure to punishment.”

B. Justification does not MAKE your righteous.

1. We are guilty sinners, Romans 5:19a, “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners.”

2. We are admitted sinners, Galatians 2:15-17, “We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 17But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.”

C. Justification DECLARES you righteous.

1. By the remission of our sins, Acts 13:38-39, “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39-And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”

2. By reckoning Christ’s righteousness to the believer, 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.” Philippians 3:9, “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:”

II. THE METHOD OF JUSTIFICATION.

A. It is not by moral character, Luke 16:15, “And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”

B. It is not by the works of the law, Romans 3:20, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Galatians 2:16: Titus 3:5.

C. We are justified by God, Romans 8:33, “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.”

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

a. By His death on Calvary, Romans 5:9, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”

b. By His Resurrection, Romans 4:25, “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”

2. Through Faith in Christ, Romans 5:1, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” Romans 4:5, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

III. THE EVIDENCE OF JUSTIFICATION.

A. Peace with God, Roman 5:1, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

B. We have assurance of an inheritance in heaven, Titus 3:7,” That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

CONCLUSION

To be just before God means that you have trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior and God has done His work of grace in you. The evidence mentioned above should be seen in our every day living.

HOW TO USE OUR WORDS–EPHESIANS 4:25-32–Part 2 of Midweek Service

Art Davison EPHESIANS 0 Comment
HOW TO USE OUR WORDS

EPHESIANS 4:25-32
Part 2

Introduction:

We have dealt with how we can use our words to DECEIVE or to be OPEN AND HONEST and how to stay ANGRY OR TO APOLOGIZE, and PUTTING DOWN or LIFTING UP. The second part of this study deals with to HURT or to HEAL the wounds AND to HATE or to FORGIVE.

IV. TO HURT OR TO HEAL

Ephesians 4:31, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”

1. Clamour, (A CONTINUED NOISY COMPLAINT), Acts 22:22-23, “And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live. 23 And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,”

2. Evil speaking, ( SLANDER, detraction, speech injurious to another’s good name):

a. One that sows DISCORD, Proverbs 6:19, “A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

b. One who has HATRED in his life, Proverbs 10:18, “He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.”

c. One who CAUSES deep wounds, Proverbs 18:8, “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.”

3. All MALICE, 1 Corinthians 5:8, “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

V. TO HATE OR TO FORGIVE

Ephesians 4:32, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

A. The Three Positive commands:

1. To be KIND (lit., “what is suitable or fitting to a need”), Romans 12:10, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”

2. To be COMPASSIONATE, 1 Peter 3:8, “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:”

3. To be FORGIVING ( BEING GRACIOUS ), 2 Corinthians 2:7, “So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.”

B. The REASON for these positive commands is…

1. That in Christ GOD IS KIND, Ephesians 2:7, “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”

2. That in Christ GOD IS COMPASSIONATE, Mark 1:41, “And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.”

3. That in Christ GOD IS GRACIOUS, Romans 8:32, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

CONCLUSION

The conclusion of this whole matter is that we must glorify our Lord in our words as well as our deeds. The things mentioned above must be considered in a positive way. Our words should be constructive and honoring to the Lord.

HOW TO USE OUR WORDS–EPHESIANS 4:25-32–Part 1 of Midweek Service

Art Davison EPHESIANS 0 Comment
HOW TO USE OUR WORDS
EPHESIANS 4:25-32
Part 1

Introduction:
There is a real need among Christians to choose their words with care. One of the most irritating things in this world is to hear someone berate another person or to hear someone you vile language.
Here in America there is an epidemic of bad language among God’s people. Perhaps we hear it so much that we become caught up in it. It is tragic how professed Christians dishonor the Lord with their mouth.
I. TO DECEIVE OR BE OPEN AND HONEST

Ephesians 4:25, “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.”
A. To deceive, conscious and intentional falsehood.
1. One who loves evil more than good, Psalm 52:3, “Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness.”
2. A lying tongue is one of seven things God hates, Proverbs 6:17, “A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,”
B. Speak truth, Ephesians 4:15, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”
1. Determine to speak the truth always, Proverbs 8:7, “For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.”
2. Hereby we demonstrate that we have been redeemed, Proverbs 12:17, “He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.”
3. For we are brethren in Christ, 1 Corinthians 12:12, “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.”
II. TO STAY ANGRY OR APOLOGIZE

Ephesians 4:26, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:”
A. To be angry at sin, John 2:13-16, “And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, 14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; 16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.”
B. But don’t be provoked, Ecclesiastes 7:9, “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.”
C. Keep short accounts, Deuteronomy 24:15, “At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee.”
D. Apologize, Ephesians 4:31-32, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
III. TO PUT DOWN OR TO LIFT UP

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.”
A. Corrupt communications, Ephesians 5:3-4, “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
1. These things grieve the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 4:30, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
2. Not only is the Holy Spirit offended, but God’s people are ashamed, Psalm 25:3, “Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.”
B. Communication that edifies, (edification: the act of one who promotes another’s growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness, holiness), Psalm 37:30-31, “The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.”
CONCLUSION
We will deal with part 2 of this subject next Wednesday night.

HE IS RISEN–I CORINTHIANS 15:1-8

Art Davison I CORINTHIANS 0 Comment
HE IS RISEN
I CORINTHIANS 15:1-8

Introduction:

Just how important is the resurrection? Well, if the resurrection is not real than Christianity is not real. Without the resurrection Christianity has not basis on which to exist.

We may as well go home and do what we please. But the Resurrection is true and Jesus is alive in the presence of God the Father. Our hope is based in the Eternal Life of Jesus Christ who has conquered death.

Let us look at this third part of the Gospel of Christ and consider what God has done for us.

I. THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

A. The Death of Christ, John 12:32-33, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.”

B. The Burial of Christ, Matthew 27:57-60, “When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: 58He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. 59And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.”

C. The Resurrection of Christ, Mark 16:6, “And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.”

II. THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

A. The witnesses of the Resurrection.

1. He was seen by Peter (Cephas), Luke 24:33-34, “And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.”

2. He was seen by the twelve Apostles, Mark 16:14, “Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.”

3. He was seen by more than 500 of the brethren, v. 6, “After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.”

4. He was seen by James, v. 7, “After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.”

5. He was seen lastly by Paul, Acts 9:5, “And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”

B. The confirmation that it was bodily resurrection.

1. Thomas’ doubts removed, John 20:27-28, “Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.”

2. The Lord eats fish, Luke 24:41-43, “And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43And he took it, and did eat before them.”

C. The importance of the resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:19, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”

1. If Christ be not risen:

a. Our preaching is in vain, all for nothing, v. 14a, “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain,”

b. Your faith is also vain and you are still in your sins, v. 14b; Acts 13:38, “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:”

2. Our hope is beyond this life, vs. 21-22, “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

a. Jesus brought the resurrection from the dead.

b. Jesus brought life, John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

III. THE VICTORY OF CHRIST

A. Victory over death.

1. The sting of death, vs. 54-56.

2. Jesus won the victory over death, v. 57, “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

B. Victory over unbelief.

1. Lord, I believe, Mark 9:23-24, “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”

2. Help my unbelief.

a. All things are possible if you trust in the Lord, John 4:50-51, “Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. 51And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.”

b. There is help in the Lord, Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

c. God gives us salvation by faith in Christ, Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

CONCLUSION

The great blessing of the Resurrection is that because Christ was raised from the dead, we, who have trusted Him as our Savior, will also be raised from the dead at the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is great opportunity for you to settle this very important question today. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6.