Subtopic:" Now" What Are We Going to Do?
Text Romans 13:11-14 " And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.(vs12) The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.(vs13) Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. (vs14) But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof".
2 Cor.6:2 "(For he saith,(Isa.49:8) I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
PREMISE
The Pulpit Commentary Vol.18 Pages 394-395 concerning Romans 13:11-14 says "This is not the time to indulge mere sentiment, whether of retrospect or of anticipation. The living present demands all our energy.(1) "It is time to awake out of sleep", to arouse ourselves from indifference to concern, from half-belief to earnest faith, from inactivity to zeal. (2) To "cast off the works of darkness". By the clothing, the impediments thus designated, we understand the negligences, the sins, which are inconsistent with true spirituality. (3) To "put on the armour of light". Holiness and diligence, patience and devotedness-- these are the spiritual exercises appropriate to those who have a hope so glorious and promises so sure as ours. Let the solider see to his weapons, the servant to his work, the steward to his trust!"
The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.19, Page 161 a comment on 2 Cor.6:2 INDICATIONS OF OPPORTUNITY "The favorable day for spiritual life is not so easily recognized as that of worldly advantage. In external aspect it is as other days. A preacher may speak to you whom you have often heard and not heeded. The view of truth which is to carry you captive may be one which has often been pressed on you to little purpose. But somehow you are moved; you catch the urgency of now; and you listen and believe as you never listened or believed before. So that common day becomes a beginning of days and a spiritual "period of time" to you. There are, however, indications or hints of a critical time which watchful spirits may perceive. Often it is preceded by sickness, sorrow, or disappointment, making one more thoughtful and more wistful about the things unseen. Or there springs up, one hardly knows how, a sense of inward weariness and want. Conscience is uneasy, and the heart cannot rest. Then some word in season falls on the ear, or looks out of a book or a friend's letter. These things indicate opportunity. Miss it not. Embrace the gospel at once. receive not the grace of God in vain."
Text Romans 13:11-14 " And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.(vs12) The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.(vs13) Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. (vs14) But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof".
2 Cor.6:2 "(For he saith,(Isa.49:8) I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
PREMISE
The Pulpit Commentary Vol.18 Pages 394-395 concerning Romans 13:11-14 says "This is not the time to indulge mere sentiment, whether of retrospect or of anticipation. The living present demands all our energy.(1) "It is time to awake out of sleep", to arouse ourselves from indifference to concern, from half-belief to earnest faith, from inactivity to zeal. (2) To "cast off the works of darkness". By the clothing, the impediments thus designated, we understand the negligences, the sins, which are inconsistent with true spirituality. (3) To "put on the armour of light". Holiness and diligence, patience and devotedness-- these are the spiritual exercises appropriate to those who have a hope so glorious and promises so sure as ours. Let the solider see to his weapons, the servant to his work, the steward to his trust!"
The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.19, Page 161 a comment on 2 Cor.6:2 INDICATIONS OF OPPORTUNITY "The favorable day for spiritual life is not so easily recognized as that of worldly advantage. In external aspect it is as other days. A preacher may speak to you whom you have often heard and not heeded. The view of truth which is to carry you captive may be one which has often been pressed on you to little purpose. But somehow you are moved; you catch the urgency of now; and you listen and believe as you never listened or believed before. So that common day becomes a beginning of days and a spiritual "period of time" to you. There are, however, indications or hints of a critical time which watchful spirits may perceive. Often it is preceded by sickness, sorrow, or disappointment, making one more thoughtful and more wistful about the things unseen. Or there springs up, one hardly knows how, a sense of inward weariness and want. Conscience is uneasy, and the heart cannot rest. Then some word in season falls on the ear, or looks out of a book or a friend's letter. These things indicate opportunity. Miss it not. Embrace the gospel at once. receive not the grace of God in vain."
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DEFINITION
Now is defined as:(1)at this present time; at this moment.(2) under the present circumstances; as things are.
EXPOSITION
1. Some "Now" Things We Have From God:
A. Righteousness Manifested--- Rom. 3:21-23. " But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;(vs22) Even the righteousness of God which is by the faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe for there is no difference:(vs23) For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God;"
B. Justification Declared--- Rom. 5:8-9 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (vs9) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."
C. No Condemnation--- Rom.8:1-2."There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.(vs2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."
D. God's People With a Calling and a Purpose---1 Peter 2:9-10. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:(vs10) Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."
E. A Present Standing State of Sonship---1 John 3:2-3. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.(vs3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
F. Reconciliation--- Col. 1:21-23. " And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. (vs22) In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:(vs23) If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
2. The Blessings That The Believer "Now" Have Is:
a. Relationship--- 1 John 3:2-3 " Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.(vs3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
b. Nearness---Eph.2:12-13& 19-22. "(vs12) That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:(vs13) But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.(vs19) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;(vs20)And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;(vs21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:(vs22) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit".
c. Union By Divine Placement---1 Cor.12:12&18 "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. (vs18) But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him."
d. Emancipation--- Rom. 6:22-23 "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (vs23) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
e. Illumination---Eph.5:8 "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:"
f. Access To And The Ability To Practice Immediate Faith---Heb.11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
g. The Ability Not To Fall--- Jude 24-25 "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, (vs25) To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."
Now is defined as:(1)at this present time; at this moment.(2) under the present circumstances; as things are.
EXPOSITION
1. Some "Now" Things We Have From God:
A. Righteousness Manifested--- Rom. 3:21-23. " But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;(vs22) Even the righteousness of God which is by the faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe for there is no difference:(vs23) For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God;"
B. Justification Declared--- Rom. 5:8-9 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (vs9) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."
C. No Condemnation--- Rom.8:1-2."There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.(vs2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."
D. God's People With a Calling and a Purpose---1 Peter 2:9-10. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:(vs10) Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."
E. A Present Standing State of Sonship---1 John 3:2-3. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.(vs3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
F. Reconciliation--- Col. 1:21-23. " And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. (vs22) In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:(vs23) If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
2. The Blessings That The Believer "Now" Have Is:
a. Relationship--- 1 John 3:2-3 " Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.(vs3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
b. Nearness---Eph.2:12-13& 19-22. "(vs12) That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:(vs13) But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.(vs19) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;(vs20)And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;(vs21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:(vs22) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit".
c. Union By Divine Placement---1 Cor.12:12&18 "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. (vs18) But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him."
d. Emancipation--- Rom. 6:22-23 "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (vs23) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
e. Illumination---Eph.5:8 "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:"
f. Access To And The Ability To Practice Immediate Faith---Heb.11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
g. The Ability Not To Fall--- Jude 24-25 "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, (vs25) To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."
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