THE HISTORICAL BOOKS

GOD HAS MADE A COVENANT WITH ME–II SAMUEL 23:1-7

Art Davison THE HISTORICAL BOOKS 0 Comment
GOD HAS MADE A COVENANT WITH ME
II SAMUEL 23:1-7
Key verse: v. 5.

Introduction:

When God deals with you and me it is on a personal level. He does not deal you and me, but with me as an individual. I am not concerned with you at that time. I am thinking of my needs, my spiritual needs. Consider the following thoughts:

I. “HE” HAS MADE A COVENANT WITH ME

A. This covenant is divine in its origin, Genesis 9:12-13, “And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.”

B. God, the everlasting Father, is the author, Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

1. Jesus is the Author and finisher of this covenant, Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

2. He is the Prince of the kings of the earth, Revelation 1:5, “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,”

3. El Shaddai, the Lord all powerful, Exodus 6:3, “And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.”

II. HE HAS MADE A COVENANT WITH “ME,”

A. It is of PARTICULAR APPLICATION, “with me,” Matthew 11:28-29, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

1. It is NOTHING TO ME that he made peace for the world, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

2. I want to have HOPE that he has made a covenant “WITH ME,” Hebrews 6:18-19, That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 WHICH HOPE WE HAVE AS AN ANCHOR OF THE SOUL, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;”

B. He has given me ASSURANCE that this covenant that He made WITH ME” will be kept, 2 Timothy 1:12, “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that HE IS ABLE to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

1. I have a SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE of the Lord, Psalms 9:10, “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”

2. God is for ME, Psalms 56:9, “When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.”

3. He is MY Lord, Philippians 3:8, “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,”

III. HE HAS MADE AN “EVERLASTING” COVENANT WITH ME

A. This covenant is everlasting in its duration, Luke 1:32-33, “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and OF HIS KINGDOM THERE SHALL BE NO END.”

1. An everlasting covenant means a covenant which had no beginning, and which shall never end, Ezekiel 16:60, “Nevertheless I will REMEMBER my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will ESTABLISH unto thee an everlasting covenant.”

2. God has promised that this covenant with not be broken or alter in any way, Hebrews 6:18, “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:”

a. It is impossible for God to lie, Titus 1:2, “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;”

b. Therefore, we have STRONG CONSOLATION, Isaiah 66:10-13, “Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her: 11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory. 12 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees. 13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”

CONCLUSION

The Lord has made a covenant with me that requires me to trust in Jesus Christ as my Savior. God has promised that He will never forsake me, Deuteronomy 31:6, 8, “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.”

HALF-HEARTED SERVICE–II CHRONICLES 25:1-2, 14

Art Davison THE HISTORICAL BOOKS 0 Comment
HALF-HEARTED SERVICE
II CHRONICLES 25:1-2, 14

Key verse: verse 2, “And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.”

Introduction:

Amaziah inherited the throne of Judah form his father, Joash, at 25 years of age. He began well, but he did not serve God with his whole heart. Let’s look at the example that his father left behind.

I. The One Who Served Half-Heartedly.

A. Depending on others for your strength, 2 Chronicles 24:2, “And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.”

B. Results of this dependence, 2 Chronicles 2:15-21.

1. The Priest died, v. 15.

2. The King listened to the people, v. 17.

a. They LEFT the HOUSE OF GOD, v. 18.

b. They SERVED IDOLS, v. 18.

3. God sent PROPHETS, v. 19, “but they (the people) would not give ear.”

4. God raised up ANOTHER PRIEST, vs. 20-25.

a. He preached the truth, v. 20.

b. The King ordered him stoned, vs. 21-22.

c. God remembered His servant, vs. 22-25.

II. The One Who Served God With a Whole Heart.

A. Examples of faithful men in the Old Testament:

1. ABRAHAM, Genesis 15:6, “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”

2. DAVID, Acts 13:22b, “….and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”

B. Examples in the New Testament:

1. JESUS, John 4:34, “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. John 5:30, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” John 6:38, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.”

2. THE APOSTLE PAUL, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

III. Exortations

A. From Paul to the young pastor, Timothy: 1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

B. From Paul to Titus: Titus 2:1, “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:”

Conclusion:

Our best example is Jesus Christ!! He is always an excellent example to those who want to serve the Lord.

GETTING USE TO CAPTIVITY–II CHRONICLES 36:22-23

Art Davison THE HISTORICAL BOOKS 0 Comment
GETTING USE TO CAPTIVITY
II CHRONICLES 36:22-23
Introduction:

The Jews had an opportunity to return to their land after 70 year in captivity, but only a few returned. Many had learned to live in captivity.

Today many Christians have gotten use to living in captivity. They have replaced God in their lives with worldly things. John wrote in 1 John 2:15, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

Let us consider what has taken place in the lives of these professed Christians.

I. THERE IS AN ABSENCE OF PERSONAL HOLINESS IN THEIR LIVES.

A. God has CALLED US to holiness, 1 Peter 1:15-16, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

1. Perfect, [mature, of full age], Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

a. These are still babes in Christ, 1 Peter 2:2, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”

b. They should be mature, Hebrews 6:1, “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,”

2. Perfecting holiness IN THE FEAR of God, 2 Corinthians 7:1, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

B. They have REFUSED TO HEAR His words, Jeremiah 11:10, “They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.”

1. They have feigned faithfulness, Jeremiah 3:10, “And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.” [falsely].

2. They have gone after other gods, Deuteronomy 8:19, “And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.”

3. They are a stubborn and rebellious generation, Psalm 78:8, “And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.”

a. Their heart was not right with Him, Psalm 78:37, “For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.”

b. Their spirit was not stedfast with God, Psalm 78:8b, “and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.”

II. THERE IS AN ABSENCE OF SHAME IN THEIR DISOBEDIENCE

A. There is NO SHAME In their worldly relationships, 2 Corinthians 6:14-16, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

1. Evil associations, 1 Kings 11:4, “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.”

a. Common law marriage among “Christians,” (??)

b. Business associations with unbelievers.

2. Loving the world, 2 Timothy 4:10, “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.”

B. There is NO SHAME in their worldly pursuits, Proverbs 3:35, “The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.”

1. They sleep during the harvest, Proverbs 10:5, “He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.”

2. Their pride will not let them humble themselves before the Lord and return, Proverbs 11:2, “When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.”

3. They refuse instruction in righteousness, Proverbs 13:18, “Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.”

C. There is NO SHAME in their COWARDICE in service to the Lord.

1. “I don’t like the preacher.” Did you like all of your commanding officers you had in the Service? The Jews did not like Jeremiah and his message.

2. “I don’t like the confusion.” Did you jump ship when the battle began?

3. If you serve the Lord you can expect bad times, but if you don’t have the stomach for it just don’t get in our way.

CONCLUSION

Serving the Lord requires dedication, maturity and courage. Satan will not stand still while we win folks to the Lord. He just loves those Christians who can’t stand the confusion he can cause among God’s people. He loves to watch them give excuse and run from responsibility.

ENTER INTO A COVENANT–II CHRONICLES 15:1-7

Art Davison THE HISTORICAL BOOKS 0 Comment
ENTER INTO A COVENANT
2 Chronicles 15:1-7

Key verse: 3, “Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.”

Introduction:

ASA — physician, son of Abijah and grandson of Rehoboam, was the third king of Judah. He was zealous in maintaining the true worship of God, and in rooting all idolatry, with its accompanying immoralities, out of the land (1 Kings 15:8–14). He died in the forty-first year of his reign, greatly honoured by his people (2 Chr. 16:1–13), and was succeeded by his son Jehoshaphat.

As you see in verse 3, the situation in Israel was bad when Asa became king. The Prophet of the Lord made the situation clear to Asa in verse 2, “Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.”

King Asa and the people entered in to a covenant to seek God, v. 12, “And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;”

Three things are involved in a covenant with the God of Heaven: Exalt the Savior; Equip the Saints; and evangelize the Sinner.

I. EXALT THE SAVIOR

A. Christ needs to be exalted In the family, Philippians 2:9, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:”

1. Christ should hold the highest respect among the members of the family.

2. Children should learn about the Savior in the home under the teaching of their father and mother.

3. Church attendance should be taught by example, Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

a. Children imitate their parents. If you go to the house of God irregularly, you children will take note that you do not think God is important and will drop out in their teen years.

b. Only one hour a week in church is a good way to damn your children to Hell.

B. Christ needs to be exalted In the Church.

1. Followers of God, Eph. 5:1, “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;”

2. Walk in Love, Eph. 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.”

3. Prove what is acceptable to God, Eph. 5:10-11, “Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”

4. Walk circumspectly, Eph. 5:15-17, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

II. EQUIP THE SAINTS

A. Perfecting the saints, , Eph. 4:11-12, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”

1. The responsibilities of the leadership of the church are to teach and train.

a. For the work of the ministry.

b. For the edifying of the body of Christ.

2. Perfecting the Work of the Ministry, Joshua 1:5-6, “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 6Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.”

B. Edifying the Body of Christ.

1. Foul language, Eph. 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.”

2. Bad habits, 1 Cor. 10:31-32, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:”

3. God warns the Believer, Col. 3:24, “But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.”

III. EVANGELIZE THE SINNER

A. Marching orders, Matt. 28:19-20.

1. Make disciples.

2. Baptize the disciples.

3. Teach the disciples.

B. The Harvest is plenteous.

1. The time is right, John 4:35, “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.”

2. A Great harvest, Luke 10:2, “Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.”

C. The Laborers are few.

1. The laborers are not the pastors. They are the members of the Lord’s churches.

2. Americans Christians have become lazy expecting their pastors and deacons to do the job of the members of the church.

a. Where is the JOY of God’s people?

b. It is in faithful service to the Lord, Matt. 25:21, “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

CONCLUSION

Will you enter into a covenant with the Lord to honor Him in your family life; in your church attendance and service in order to provide a good testimony for whoever might be watching?

Will you work with your pastor so that he might reach others with Gospel of Christ and build a strong church for the glory of Jesus Christ?

There is Great Joy in serving Jesus Christ and winning others to Him.

DIVINE MERCIES ABUSED–NEHEMIAH 9:5-19

Art Davison THE HISTORICAL BOOKS 0 Comment
DIVINE MERCIES ABUSED
NEHEMIAH 9:5-19

Introduction:

“There is grave reason to believe that much Bible reading and Bible study of the last few years has been of no spiritual profit to those who engaged in it. Yea, we go further; we greatly fear that in many instances it has proved a curse rather than a blessing. This is strong language, we are well aware, yet no stronger than the case calls for. Divine gifts may be misused, and DIVINE MERCIES ABUSED. That this has been so in the present instance is evident by the fruits produced.” —-Arthur Pink, Profiting from the Word of God.

I. WE ARE NOT WORTHY OF HIS MERCY

A. The mercies of God are GREAT, 2 Samuel 24:14, “And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man.”

1. Jehovah Himself declare His mercy to Moses, Exodus 34:6, “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, 7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.”

2. David declares that God is plenteous in mercy, Psalms 86:5, “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.”

B. However, we are NOT WORTHY of the LEAST of God’s mercies, Genesis 32:10, “I AM NOT WORTHY of the LEAST of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.”

1. Because of God’s mercies He FORSOOK NOT ISRAEL in the WILDERNESS, Nehemiah 9:19, “Yet thou in thy MANIFOLD MERCIES FORSOOKEST THEM MOT in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.”

2. Because of God’s MANIFOLD MERCIES He gave them SAVIORS when in trouble, Nehemiah 9:27, “Therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and according to thy manifold mercies THOU GAVEST THEM SAVIOURS, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.”

3. Because of His great mercies God DID NOT CONSUME Israel for their DISOBEDIENCE, Nehemiah 9:31, “Nevertheless for thy great mercies‘ sake THOU DIDST NOT UTTERLY CONSUME them, NOR FORSAKE them; for thou art a GRACIOUS and MERCIFUL God.”

II. GOD IS GOOD TO ALL

A. God extents the SURE MERCIES of David (of the MESSIAH) to all that will hear, Isaiah 55:3, “Incline your ear, and COME unto me: HEAR, and your soul shall LIVE; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the SURE MERCIES OF DAVID.”

1. Come, John 6:37, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

2. Hear, 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.”

3. Live, John 5:25, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.”

B. Even though we have rebelled against him He extends His mercy, Daniel 9:9, “To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;”

1. This is an exaggeration and illustration of his pardoning grace and mercy for we have sinned against him, v. 18; Psalms 106:43-45, “Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. 44 Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry: 45 And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.”

C. We have willingly departed from God’s law and yet He extends His mercy, Daniel 9:10-11, “Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. 11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.”

C. For God is the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, 2 Corinthians 1:3, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;”

1. He is ready to forgive, Psalms 86:5, “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.”

2. Mercies and forgiveness belong to our God, Daniel 9:9, “To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;”

3. Who is a God like our God? Micah 7:18, “WHO IS A GOD LIKE UNTO THEE, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he DELIGHTETH IN MERCY.”

CONCLUSION

UNBELIEF AND DISTRUST have ABUSED GOD’S DIVINE MERCY, however, God CONTINUES TO OFFER FORGIVENESS of sins and SALVATION from hell by faith in His Son Jesus Christ.