Subtopic: “ Hearing The Word Of The Lord”--- “Can You Hear Me Now”

Sermon Notes By Pastor Arthur H. Coleman Sr. for Sunday June 29, 2014

Text :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 Thessalonians 2:13 “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”


PREMISE

The Pulpit Commentary,Vol.21, Page34 A Comment On 1 Thess.2:13---The Thessalonian  Reception Of The Truth. “The apostle had spoken of his own part in the work of grace; he now speaks of the manner in which his converts accepted. “Ye are my witnesses; now I am yours.” His immediate ground of thankfulness was that they had received , not man’s word, but God’s, and that the  Word was so thoroughly efficacious. “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received not the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God.” 

Subtopic: “Do Not Cross The Lines”

Sermon Notes By Pastor Arthur H. Coleman Sr. for Sunday June 15, 2014

Text :Isaiah 35:8-10 “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring( a traveler) men, though fools, shall not err therein. (vs9) No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: (vs10) And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

Jeremiah 6:16-17 “Thus saith the Lord, Stand in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. (vs17) Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.”

PREMISE

The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.10, Page 574, A Comment on Isaiah 35:8 “ THE HIGHWAY TO THE HEAVENLY CITY. In all his dealings with man God has been constructing a highway from bondage to spiritual freedom, from sin to holiness, from guilty selfishness to sacred service, from utter ruin to complete salvation, from earth to heaven. He was engaged in this beneficent, Divine procedure  when he spake to us through the patriarchs, when he instituted the Law, when he gave to us his prophets. And he completed this “way” when he “sent forth his Son.” Jesus Christ had so much to do with preparing for us the highway to the heavenly city that we speak of him, as indeed he spoke of himself, as actually being the (Way itself) St. John 14:6 . He, the Truth, is the Way by which we have a knowledge of God and of his will. He, the Mediator, is the Way by which we ourselves come into close spiritual contact with God himself. He, the Propitiation, is the Way by which we ascend to forgiveness and reconciliation. He, the Life, is the Way by which we rise into loving union with, and growing likeness to, and ultimate preparedness for, the Divine Father.”

Subtopic: " The Church: The Security And Salvation Of The Soul"

Sermon Notes by Pastor Arthur H. Coleman Sr. for Sunday June 8, 2014

Text  Ephesians 4:11-16 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (vs12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (vs13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (vs14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (vs15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (vs16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."

 2 Timothy 2:15-19 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.(vs16) But shun profane( not sacred, worldly)and vain babblings( to talk or speak foolishly): for they will increase unto more ungodliness.(vs17)And their word will eat as doth a canker:( anything that causes decay, rotting, or gradual eating away)of whom is Hy-me-nae'us and Phi-le'tus; (vs18) Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. (vs19) Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

PREMISE

The Pulpit Commentary,Vol.20 ,Pages 195-196 , a comment on Ephesians 4;12-16 "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry." Spiritual perfection is the grand aim of all. 1.Perfection In Service. "For the work of the ministry." The twelfth verse teaches that a perfect ministry implies a perfect character. There is no perfect service where there is not a perfect character. A man must be good to do good. 2. Perfection In Unity. "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God."This may mean oneness or harmony of mind in relation to the doctrine and spirit of Christ, a common thought and sympathy in relation to the Son of God. 3. Perfection In Character."Unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." Christ is the Standard of excellence, and perfection of character is conformity to him. His character is the measure. To be Christ-like is to perfect. 4. Perfection In Strength. "That we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro, carried about with every wind of doctrine." (1) The strength of firmness. Possessing power enough to stand against all the winds and waves of religious opinions. There are some men at the mercy of every new doctrine. Their souls have no anchorage; they are not "rooted and grounded in the faith." (2) The strength of determination."By the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness." The ideas seem to be not influenced by the mere dependence on chance of a mixture of thought and feeling nor the craftiness of heretical teachers.(5)Perfection In Church Growth." Speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ." The two verses teach:(1) That church growth is an advancing assimilation to Christ."We may grow up into him in all things, which is the head even Christ." The true growth of the soul is progress towards a perfect conformity to Christ.(2) That Church growth requires the loving exhibition of truth. "Speaking the truth in love." There is a truth, a reality in the gospel, and the ministry of this truth in love is necessary to promote the true growth of the Church. (3) That Church growth is in every part dependent upon its vital connection with Christ. "From whom the whole body fitly joined together, "ect. (4) That Church growth requires the healthy action of all its members. "By that which every joint supplieth," ect.

Subtopic: The Attitude Of Patience: Going On To Perfection

Sermon Notes By Pastor Arthur H. Coleman Sr. for Sunday June 1, 2014

Text:2 Corinthians 4:17-18 “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; (vs18) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

 Romans 8:18 "For I reckon that the suffering of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us".

Hebrews 10:35-37 "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. (vs36) For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.(vs37) For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come and will not tarry".

1 Peter 5:10 "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while , make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you".

Premise

The Pulpit Commentary Vol.19 Pages 95-96 ;A Commentary on 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 - THE AFFLICTIONS OF CHRISTIANS. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” These words suggest a few thoughts concerning the afflictions of the Christian.

1. They Are Comparatively “Light” And “Momentary.” They are “light” (1) Compared with what they deserve. (2) Compared with what others have endured. (3) Compared with the blessedness that is to follow. They are momentary, “but for a moment.” Momentary compared (1) with the enjoyments of this life; compared (2) with the interminable blessedness of the future.

2.That Though Light and Momentary, They Work Out Glorious Results.-They issue in what? “A far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” What is the affliction to the glory? (1) The one is “light;” the other is weighty. Put all the afflictions of the whole Church against the everlasting glory of one Christly soul, and how light! (2) The one is momentary; the other is eternal. “Eternal weight of glory.” But the result is not only an eternal weight of glory, but “far more exceeding.” No expression could be stronger than this.