MATTHEW

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!!!

SIX SINS AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT–MATTHEW 12:31-37–PART 3

Art Davison MATTHEW 0 Comment
SIX SINS AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT
MATTHEW 12:31-37

Key verse: v. 31, “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.”

PART 3

Introduction:

This is the third message on the subject of sins against the Holy Spirit. To date we have considered 1. Blaspheming the Holy Spirit, 2. Lying to or Tempting the Holy Spirit, 3. Despising the Holy Spirit, 4. Resisting [opposing] or Striving [to fight against] with the Holy Spirit.

In this message we will consider Vexing or Grieving the Holy Spirit and Quenching the Holy Spirit.

V. GRIEVING [to distress mentally] or VEXING [to provoke] THE HOLY SPIRIT

Ephesians 4:30, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

A. Grieve = to feel grief or great sorrow:

1. The SORROW of the Apostles when the Lord reveal his coming death, Matthew 17:23, “And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.”

2. The SORROW felt by the rich young ruler upon hearing the conditions of salvation, Matthew 19:22, “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.”

3. When the Lord Jesus ANNOUNCED that ONE of the disciples WOULD BETRAY Him, Matthew 26:22, “And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?”

4. The Lord in the garden of Gethsemane, Matthew 26:37, “And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.”

B. Vex = to irritate; annoy; provoke:

1. The grieving of God the Father over the sinfulness of man, Genesis 6:3, 6, “And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. 6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.”

2. The Lord was provoked by the Hebrews in the wilderness yet He did not destroy them, Psalm 95:10, “Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:”

C. The Holy Spirit is the element IN which the believer is SEALED, His gracious INFLUENCES being the SEAL ITSELF, Ephesians 1:13, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”

1. The Believer is protected by the Spirit’s influence even when he grieves the Spirit, John 5:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

2. His influence is a STRONG POSITIVE influence, Ephesians 4:25-26, 29, “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 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.”

VI. QUENCHING THE HOLY SPIRIT

1 Thessalonians 5:19, “Quench not the Spirit.”

QUENCH = to put out or extinguish (as a fire); the sense is, we are NOT TO EXTINGUISH the INFLUENCES of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

A. Remember, preacher, to stir up the gift of God, 2 Timothy 1:6, “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.”

1. In order to a good minister of Jesus Christ, 1 Timothy 4:6, “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.”

2. That he be not negligent in preaching the truth, 2 Peter 1:12, “Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.”

B. The Believer is to FAITHFULLY “OCCUPY” until the Lord returns, Luke 19:13, “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.”

1. The word means more than to “possess” but to EMPLOY IN BUSINESS, Romans 12:6-8, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

2. “Until I come,” in the Greek is: “WHILE I AM COMING,” 2 John 1:8, “LOOK to yourselves, that WE LOSE NOT those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a FULL REWARD.”

a. Holding forth the word of life, Philippians 2:16, “Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”

b. We are the LIGHT OF THE WORLD, Matthew 5:14, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

SIX SINS AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT–MATTHEW 12:31-37–PART 2

Art Davison MATTHEW 0 Comment
SIX SINS AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT
MATTHEW 12:31-37
PART 2

Key verse: v. 31, “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.”

Introduction:

This is the second message on the subject of sins against the Holy Spirit. To date we have considered 1. Blaspheming the Holy Spirit, 2. Lying to or Tempting the Holy Spirit.

Now we will consider “Despising the Holy Spirit,” the THIRD sin, and “Resisting [opposing] or Striving [to fight against] with the Holy Spirit,” the FOURTH sin against the Holy Spirit.

What does it mean to “despise” or regard with contempt the Holy Spirit of God? IT SOUNDS LIKE A TERRIBLE SIN.

What about “Resisting” or “Striving” against the Holy Spirit? HOW BAD IS THAT SIN?

III. DESPISING THE HOLY SPIRIT

Despise = to regard with contempt, distaste, disgust, or disdain; scorn; loathe.

Hebrews 10:29, “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath ITodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”

Despite = contemptuous treatment; insult, malice, hatred, or spite.

A. Those who have trodden under foot the Son of God, Deuteronomy 13:6-7, “If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; 7 Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth;”

1. God has revealed His Son to the world, Hebrews 5:5, “So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.”

2. These have fallen away from the truth, Hebrews 6:6, “If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”

B. Who have done DESPITE unto the Spirit of grace, Hebrews 6:4, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,”

1. A powerful word for INSULTING the Holy Spirit after receiving His blessings, 2 Timothy 3:2, “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,”

2. They CONSIDERED the blood of Christ as unclean and abominable, AS THE BLOOD OF A VERY WICKED MAN, Isaiah 63:10, “But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.”

IV. RESISTING [oppose] OR STRIVING {fight against] WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

Acts 7:51, “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.”

A. To REIST the Holy Spirit is to WITHSTAND the action or effect of His dealing with the sinner, 2 Timothy 3:8, “Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.”

1. Pharaoh resisted the Spirit of God and hardened his heart toward God, Exodus 8:15, “But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.”

2. The Jews were a haughty and obstinate people, Isaiah 48:3-4, “I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass. 4 Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;”

a. They were hard-hearted, “obstinate,” Ezekiel 3:7, “But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted.”

b. They were inflexible, “thy neck is an iron sinew,” Acts 7:51, “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.”

c. They were shameless as a harlot, “thy brow brass,” Jeremiah 3:3, “Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore’s forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.”

3. Their fathers had made EXTERNAL worship a SUBSTITUTE for SPIRITUAL OBEDIENCE, Mark 7:7, “Howbeit in VAIN do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”

B. To STRIVE AGAINST the Holy Spirit is to STRUGGLE VIGOROUSLY in OPPOSITION to His will, Isaiah 45:9, “Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?”

1. He is contrary to the Lord, Isaiah 64:8, “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.”

2. Man presumes to reply against the Lord, Romans 9:20-21, “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?”

SIX SINS AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT-MATTHEW 12:31-37–LESSON 1

Art Davison MATTHEW 0 Comment
SIX SINS AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT-LESSON 1
MATTHEW 12:31-37

Key verse: v. 31, “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.”

Introduction:

All SIN IS SERIOUS, and to some degree CHALLENGES and ATTACKS the CHARACTER and AUTHORITY of God. But SIX SINS are specifically IDENTIFIED as sins AGAINST the Holy Spirit. Since the Holy Spirit is a PERSON, He may be sinned against. Since He is ALSO God, it is an EXTREMELY SERIOUS MATTER TO BE GUILTY OF SINNING AGAINST HIM!!!!

“Our Lord now solemnly declares that a blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is THE ONLY UNPARDONABLE SIN; and it is distinctly implied that their accusation, that he cast out demons by the help of BEELZEBUB [SATAN] was a blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, and so was past forgiveness.” —John A. Broadus.

I. BLASPHEMING THE HOLY SPIRIT

A. Blaspheme = in reference to God signifies speaking DISRESPECTFULLY of His NATURE, ATTRIBUTES, and WORKS, Revelation 13:6, “And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.”

1. God’s view of sin, v. 31; Hebrews 2:2, “For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;”
a. The Lord will reason with the sinner, Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

b. If the sinner will forsake his sin and trust the Lord, Isaiah 55:7, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”

c. God has no pleasure in the death of the sinner, Ezekiel 33:11, “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?”

2. The Lord is merciful to the sinner, Psalms 41:4, “I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.”

B. Blaspheming the Spirit is extremely serious:

1. There is NO FORGIVENESS for this sin, Luke 12:10, “And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.”

a. Speaking against the Son of God would n be forgiven, Luke 23:34, “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”

b. Paul had tried the Lord’s patience, but was forgiven, 1 Timothy 1:13, “Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.”

2. The sin of REVILING [to assail with contemptuous or outrageously disgraceful or shameful language] the Spirit of God, and imputing his work to BEELZEBUB [SATAN], is a very great one, Matthew 12:24, 32, “But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”

Note: The name given to Satan, and found only in the New Testament, Matthew 10:25 12:24, 27; Mark 3:22. It is probably the same as BAALZEBUB, the god of Ekron, meaning “THE LORD OF FLIES,” or, as others think, “THE LORD OF DUNG,” or “THE DUNG-GOD.

II. LYING TO OR TEMPTING THE HOLY SPIRIT

A. Christians lying to the Lord,

1. Ananias and his wife, MEMBERS of the CHURCH at Jerusalem, LIED TO the Lord about the price of the land they sold, Acts 5:3, “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?”

2. Peter confronted Ananias’ wife, Sapphira, and asked WHY they had TEMPTED the Holy Spirit, Acts 5:9, “Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.”

B. Some folks tempt the Spirit of God by their wicked words and actions, Isaiah 5:18, “Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: 19 That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!”

1. David REMEMBERED the HISTORY of Israel, Psalms 95:9, “When your fathers TEMPTED ME, proved me, and saw my work.”

2. Many think they will ESCAPE PUNISHMENT for their trying of God’s patience, but they are MISTAKEN as were the Hebrews, Numbers 14:22-23, “Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; 23 Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:”

LESSON 2 TO FOLLOW: