MATTHEW

ENTER INTO LIFE–MATTHEW 7:13-14

Art Davison MATTHEW 0 Comment
ENTER INTO LIFE
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: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

Introduction:

This is the conclusion of the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount. The Lord admonished man to seek the Lord for salvation and of regulating his conduct.

Our Lord declares “that the way pointed out by him is indeed one hard to find and follow, and that there is great danger of being deceived by false guides, and of self-deception; yet he does not present these facts as an excuse for shrinking back, nor even say that in spite of these things we must make the effort, but urges the very difficulties as a reason for going forward.” —John A. Broadus.

I. AT THE STRAIT GATE

A. The way is narrow:

1. Your righteousness MUST EXCEED the righteousness of the Pharisees in order to enter the narrow gate, 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.”

2. You must be CONVERTED in order to enter in at the Strait Gate, Matthew 18:3 “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

3. The RICH man finds it ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE to ENTER at the Strait Gate, Matthew 19:23, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a RICH man shall HARDLY [with difficulty] ENTER into the kingdom of heaven.”

a. The ENTRY is NOT stressed, but rather the CHOICE, Matthew 19:16, “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”

b. One chooses BETWEEN the WORLD and LIFE eternal, Matthew 19:21-22, “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.”

c. You CAN’T choose both, 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.”

B. The way is DIFFICULT TO FIND.

1. There are FEW who find the way to heaven, Romans 9:27, 29, “Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: 29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.”

2. FEWER yet who ABIDE any time in it, Matthew 13:22, “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.”

3. FEWER STILL who WALK in it, 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.”

4. And FEWEST OF ALL who PERSEVERE unto the end, Acts 14:22, “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

5. NOTHING renders this way EITHER NARROW or DIFFICULT to any person, BUT SIN, Romans 6:10-11, “For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

II. IF YOU ENTER AT THE WIDE GATE

This sentiment has been beautifully versified by Watts:—-

“Broad is the road that leads to death,

And thousands walk together there;

But wisdom shows a narrower path,

With here and there a traveller.”

A. STRIVE to enter at the Strait Gate, Luke 13:24, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.”

B. There is the BROAD WAY that leads to DESTRUCTION, Genesis 6:5, 12, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.”

1. The way that SEEMS RIGHT, Proverbs 16:25, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

2. The END be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”

C. MANY GO IN at the BROAD gate, Isaiah 5:14, “Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.”

CONCLUSION

The Lord concluded with the difficulty in finding the Strait Gate. He did not say it was impossible, but he did say that few there be that find it. Our sin is what keeps us from the narrow way to life.

REPENTANCE–MATTHEW 3:1-2; 4:17; II PETER 3:9.

Art Davison MATTHEW 0 Comment
REPENTANCE
MATTHEW 3:1-2; 4:17; II PETER 3:9
Introduction:


Repentance is the first aspect of the believer’s experience of salvation, called conversion. It is an essential part of regeneration. Repentance is for the most part, negative and has to do with sin, especially the sin of unbelief.

I. THE IMPORTANCE OF REPENTANCE.


A. In the early ministries of the New Testament.


1. John the Baptist preached it, Matthew 3:1-2, “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”


2. Jesus preached it, Matthew 4:17, “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”


3. The twelve Apostles preached it, Mark 6:12, “And they went out, and preached that men should repent.”


B. In the later New Testament Ministries.


1. Christ commissioned His Church to preach repentance, Luke 24:47, “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”


2. We see this doctrine being preached in the book of Acts.


a. Peter preached it, Acts 2:38, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”


b. Paul preached it, Acts 26:20, “But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.”


C. Repentance plays a part in man’s salvation.


1. It is God’s will that a man repent, 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”


2. It is necessary to salvation, Luke 13:3, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

I. THE MEANING OF REPENTANCE.


A. How it effects the intellect.


1. It is an after-thought, which is the primary meaning of the Greek word, Matthew 21:28-29, “But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 29He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.”

a. The verb metamelomai is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas, Matthew 27:3, “Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders.”

b. Metanoeo, meaning to change one’s mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge.



c. The noun metanoia, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised.


2. Repentance is also a change of mind, which is the secondary meaning of the word.


B. How repentance affects the emotions.


1. Hatred of sin is one of the essential elements in repentance, Psalm 97:10, “Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.”


a. “Sin,” refers to his depraved nature.


b. “Sins” has reference to the actual transgressions prompted by a sinful nature.


2. Sorrow for sin, 2 Corinthians 7:9, “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.”


a. “This accompanies hatred of sin. He, who repents, hates the sins he is sorry for, and is sorry for the sins he hates.”


b. “Remorse is sorrow for the consequences of sin, but Repentance condemns the sin which brought the consequences.” –E. H. Bancroft


C. How repentance affects the will of man, Luke 15:18-20, “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” “Repentance is not only a heart broken for sin, but from sin.”

II. THE MANIFESTATION OF REPENTANCE.


A. In the confession of sin, Psalm 32:3-5, “When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. 4For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. 5I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.”


B. In forsaking sin, Proverbs 28:13, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”

III. THE RESULTS OF REPENTANCE.


A. Joy in heaven, Luke 15:7, 10, “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. 10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”


B. Pardon and forgiveness, 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. The reception of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:38, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

CONCLUSION:


Repentance is what is missing in many so-called conversions. There does not seem to be remorse for sin in the life of many professing Christians today.


The truly repentant sinner makes heaven glad, receives forgiveness and the seal of the Holy Spirit. His life manifest a radical change based on 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.”

LOVING AND SERVING GOD–PART 5–MATTHEW 22:36-40

Art Davison MATTHEW 0 Comment
LOVING AND SERVING GOD
PART 5
MATTHEW 22:36-40
TO LOVE IS TO BE KINDLY AFFECTIONED.

Romans 12:9-10, “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”

Galatians 5:13, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”

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

 JESUS IS AN EXAMPLE IN SHOWING US HOW TO LOVE AND SERVE ONE ANOTHER.

John 13:14-15, “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” (See John 13:2-17)

Romans 12:16, “Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”

Ephesians 5:2, “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”

1 John 2:6, “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”

LOVING AND SERVING GOD–PART 6–MATTHEW 22:36-40

Art Davison MATTHEW 0 Comment
LOVING AND SERVING GOD
PART 6
MATTHEW 22:36-40
Introduction:

In our last two discussions we dealt with the subject of what was is. Now let’s put this to practice and see just how we may love the Lord and others. Serving the Lord means serving Him in some capacity. One does not have to a preacher or deacon in order to glorify our Savior. A faithful servant is worth his weight in gold.

I. LET US NOT BECOME WEARY IN WELL DOING.

A. We shall reap, Galatians 6:9, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

1. Lets not get careless, Malachi 1:13, Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.”

2. Consider Jesus, Hebrews 12:3, “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

3. Lets not faint, Isaiah 40:30-31, “Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 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. Therefore, … 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

1. Be steadfast, Psalm 55:22,“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”

2. Be unmoveable, 2 Peter 3:17-18, “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

3. Always abounding, Philippians 1:9-10, “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;”

4. Your labor is not in vain, 1 Thessalonians 3:5, “For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.”

II. WE ARE TO DO GOOD TO ALL, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF LIKE PRECIOUS FAITH.

A. Let us do good to all men, Galatians 6:10, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

1. As we have opportunity, John 9:4, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”

2. To all men, Luke 6:35, “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.”

B. Especially to God’s people, Ephesians 2:19, “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;”

1. Fellowcitizens, Ephesians 3:6, “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:”

2. Fellowheirs, 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.”

3. Family members, Ephesians 3:15-17, “Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,”

III. RIGHTEOUS DEEDS DONE FOR OTHERS ARE COUNTED AS BEING DONE UNTO CHRIST.

A. I was hungry, Matthew 25:35-37, “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?”

B. It was done to one of the least of my brethren, 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.”

C. There is a reward for being a blessing, Matthew 10:42, “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”

CONCLUSION

Serving God is not just preaching or going to church, but actively doing for the Lord simple things that many do not see. However, the Lord is very aware of everything that we do in His name and ready to reward us for that service.

LOVING AND SERVING GOD–MATTHEW 22:36-40–PART 4

Art Davison MATTHEW 0 Comment
LOVING AND SERVING GOD
PART 4
MATTHEW 22:36-40
Introduction:
How strong is our love for the Lord? I believe that we pay a lot of lip service to God in this area of loving Him. The Scriptures give us a clear picture of what love is by the pen of the Apostle Paul.
If we are to serve God correctly we must understand the nature of the love that moved our Lord to do what He did for us on Calvary and to follow those say precepts that He sat down for us.
I. THE BIBLE DESCRIPTION OF WHAT LOVE REALLY IS.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”
A. Love is longsuffering (long and patient enduring of injuries, insults, trouble, etc.), v. 4, Proverbs 10:12, “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.”
B. Love is kind, v. 4, Proverbs 31:20, 26, “She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”
C. Love does not envy, v. 4, Romans 1:29, “Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,”
D. Love does not boast (vaunteth) of oneself, v. 4, 1 Kings 20:10-11, “And Benhadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me. 11 And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.”
E. Love is not put oneself above another (puffed up), v. 4, Philippians 2:1-5, “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
F. Love does not act unbecomingly, v. 5, 2 Thessalonians 3:7, “For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;”
G. Does not seek his own benefit, v. 5, Romans 15:1-2, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.”
H. Love is not easily provoked, v. 5, Proverbs 14:17a, “He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly:”
1. The example of Moses at the outset of Israel’s journey, Numbers 12:3, “(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)”
2. His example after many years of dealing with a rebellious people, Numbers 20:10-12, “And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? 11 And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. 12 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.”
I. Love does not think evil things about others, v. 5; Jeremiah 18:18-20, “Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words. 19 Give heed to me, O LORD, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me. 20 Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, and to turn away thy wrath from them.”
J. Love does not rejoice in iniquity, v. 6; Philippians 3:18, “(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:”
K. Love rejoices in the truth, v. 6; Psalm 98:2-3, “The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. 3 He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.”
L. Love conceals (beareth) the faults of other, v. 7; Proverbs 10:12, “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.”
M. Love believes everything you say, v. 7; Psalm 119:66, “Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.”
N. Love hopefully trust all things, v. 7; Romans 8:24, “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?”
O. Love endures all things, v. 7; 1 Corinthians 9:18-22, “What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. 19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”
P. Love never fails, that is, it will never end, v. 8, 13, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
“It is a permanent and perpetual grace, lasting as eternity; whereas the extraordinary gifts on which the Corinthians valued themselves were of short continuance.” —Mathew Henry