Sermon Notes By Pastor Arthur H. Coleman Sr. For Sunday January 26, 2014
Ephesians 1:4-7 “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (vs5) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the riches of his grace; (vs6) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (vs7) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
Revelation 21:1-4 “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (vs2) And I John saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (vs3) And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (vs4) And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
PREMISE
The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 10, Pages 53-54, a comment on Ephesians 1:4. “ THE CHRISTIAN BLESSINGS ARE SPIRITUAL AND HEAVENLY. 1.They are spiritual. The word describes them as having to do with the substance as opposed to its qualities and attributes; it shows what they are in us. They are inward graces, not maternal possessions. We may receive temporal prosperity, and, if so, should ascribe it to the Source and Author of every good gift. But we may be denied it, and yet be none the less blessed of God. It is a mistake for any of us to look for specially Christian blessings in this category, or to be perplexed at not receiving them. The true Christian blessings are such things as peace and joy, light and love, purity and power. 2. They are heavenly. This word describes them objectively; it points to what they are in themselves and in relation to their Divine origin. Coming from God, they belong to “heavenly places.” They are such things as the forgiveness of sins, and the sympathy and fellowship of Christ, the very great happiness of the vision that is willing to grant or give to the pure in heart, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Because they are heavenly things they are not beyond our reach; for heaven is let down to earth now that the kingdom of heaven is in our midst, and we are lifted up to heaven when we have our treasures there, for there our heart is, for it is only the upward gaze that will discern true Christian blessings.”