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. 

Subtopic: " I Must Be What I am Becoming"

Sermon Notes by Pastor Arthur H. Coleman Sr. for Sunday February 16, 2014

Text Acts 17:28 "For in him we live, and move ,and have our being; as certain of your poets have said,(Aratus of Tarsus270 B.C) For we are also his offspring".

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".

2 Corinthians 13:11 "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace be with you".


PREMISE

The Pulpit Commentary page 135 on 2 Cor.5:17 "The believer has died with Christ. Christ is his Substitute, has born his sins, has made complete satisfaction for his guilt. By faith he is so united to Christ that what Christ has done is imparted to him. He is thus new in relation to God. He was condemned; now he is justified, The believer partakes of the life of Christ. He is "risen with Christ"(Col.3:1).he has received the Spirit of Christ. having been justified, he is now being sanctified. The likeness of the Redeemer is being wrought upon  and in him by the Holy Ghost. There is thus a "new creation". The old life was a life of sin, but the new life to which he has risen is a life of righteousness. The love of Christ constrains him, to live, not to himself, but to Christ".            

In the believer's spirit; speech; character; acts; plans, purposes, desires, ect. " All things are become new". There is no part of the believer's life from which the newness should be absent. Whilst not yet perfect, manifestly a great change has taken place:"old things are passed away"

Subtopic: “I’ve Got Something To Praise God For”  

Psalm 40:1-3 “I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. (vs2) He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. (vs3) And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and trust in the Lord.” 

 2 Corinthians 1:9-10  ( Concerning Paul’s Persecutions In Asia) “But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: (vs10) Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;”  


PREMISE 

From the 2200 Quotations From the writings Of Charles H. Spurgeon Concerning 1 Cor.2:10 “We shall always be in danger as long as we are here. “the Lord delivered, doth deliver, and he will deliver,” so we shall always need divine deliverance while we are in this world. We must not expect “here” to be ever out of the gunshot of the enemy” 

Subtopic :  “That The Glory Of God May Rest Upon Me”


Text :Exodus 33:18-23 “And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. (vs19) And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. (vs20) And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. (vs21) And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: (vs22) And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: (vs23) And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.” Exodus 34:29-30&33-35 “And it came to pass, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses’ hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.(vs30) And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.(vs33) And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face. (vs34) But when Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he commanded.(vs35) And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”


PREMISE

The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.1,Pages 377, comment on Exodus 34:29. “Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him--- His face  “shone”---literally, “shot out rays”--- as we say irradiated, became radiant. Notice:  THE CAUSE OF THE PHENOMENON. “Talked with him.” Self had been forgotten in communion with Jehovah, in hearing him and attending to his utterances. It is from such communion as this that the radiant countenance results. 1. What The Communion Is. God is a Spirit. Communion must be spiritual. The fleshly face cannot directly reflect spiritual light, that light “which never was on sea or land.” Spirit is kindled by spirit, the human by the Divine, when spirit meets with spirit and realizes the sympathy which exists between them.

2. What The Communion Does. The illuminated spirit, reflecting God, kindled into brilliancy by his light, cannot but shine out through the fleshly envelope which shrouds it.[Illustration: as opaque porcelain shade to lamp, so is the body to the spirit; light the lamp, illuminate the spirit, and the shade, in either case, becomes radiant.] If you would have a happy face, a radiant countenance, you must first have an illuminated spirit. That can only be gained from the Fount of light in and through communion with God.”

II. UNCONSCIOUSNESS OF THE SUBJECT OF THE PHENOMENON. “Wist not” His face was radiant, but Moses knew nothing of it. His mind was so full of God that his attention was drawn off from all thought of his appearance. Notice:1. “All sincerity forgets egotism.” (F.W. Robertson). Attention is a fixed quantity; to fix it on God is to draw it off from self [cf. a lock on a river; open the flood-gates of communion and the level of self-love is soon lowered]. 2. Radiancy Cannot Be Obtained By Trying for It. If aim in prayer is to increase self-glory, it cannot succeed. God first; God all in all; then comes the illumination, and the light flows forth. Self lost in God [cf. wick saturated with oil] before we can ray out the light of God. How many selfish prayers are offered, and the countenances of those who offer them are often anything but radiant! The puritanical cast of countenance repels by its gloom rather than its brilliancy. The best prayer is that which rises from communion; which seeks first, as in Christ’s model prayer, that God’s name may be hallowed, and his kingdom come, and his will be done, before going on further to seek satisfaction or personal needs. CONCLUSION.--- Do you want to have a radiant face? The best way is not to think about it. Lose self, as Moses did, in communion with God; then your face will be radiant, though you know it not.”

Text :2 Cor.6:14-2 Cor.7:1 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?(vs15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (vs16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.(vs17)Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.(vs18) And will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.(2Cor.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.

PREMISE

The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.14,Pages,184-185,A Comment On 2 Cor.7:1 “ 1. THE PROMISES OF GOD AN INCENTIVE TO HOLY LIVING.1. How numerous they are. Some are specified in preceding verses. Divine promise is , however, found in all parts of the Scripture. The crown of revelation is thickly studded with the pearls of promise. God encourages his people by multiplying promises to them. 2. How varied. There are promises suited to every condition--- for joy, sorrow, sickness, health, poverty, prosperity, weakness, strength. We change greatly in experience, but in every new condition we find a promise appropriate to it. The manna of promise covers the path of pilgrimage. 3. How needful to us. For our support, guidance, comfort, encouragement, happiness, advance. God’s promises are our rods and staffs. Were it not for such upholdings, we should soon sink in the mire. 4.How precious. What promises are like unto these? How can we compute the value of that which is invaluable? Divine promises are things by themselves. Nothing could compensate for their loss. Of such value are they that only God is rich enough to bestow them. 5.How faithful. What reliance may be placed upon them!  They are all “yea” and “amen” in Christ ( 2Cor.1:20). Promises, indeed, are easily obtained from men, but what men fail in is fulfillment. But the word of Jehovah cannot be broken. His promises are precious, but they are not more precious than sure. God’s engagement to dwell in us; God’s continuous adoption of us, whereby we are ever his sons and daughters. If these be ours, then all things are ours.

Subtopic:" Getting From Where I Am To Where I Need To Be"

Text: 2 Cor. 3:17-18 "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (vs18) But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord".

Gal.2:20 " I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me".

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"

PREMISE

The Pulpit Commentary page 75, on 2 Cor.3:18 concerning the "Glorious Transformation" "Faith in Christ and fellowship with Christ are the forces which produce assimilation to Christ. The image which is beheld seems to infix itself upon the mirror-like soul that receives it. The life of faith thus serves to carry on a gradual process of spiritual assimilation. The progression is denoted by the phrase, "from glory to glory", by which we understand, not earthly splendor, but spiritual excellence and perfection. And the agency is indicated by the expression here used, "as by the Lord the Spirit". Because he is the Spirit, the Lord has access to the heart, and renews, hallows, and glorifies the nature to which he makes himself graciously and divinely known. And there seems to be no limit to this most blessed process. In fact, the future state appears to offer the most amazing scope for its continuation :"We shall be like Christ; for we shall see him as he is".

Subtopic: " I Must Be What I am Becoming"

Text Acts 17:28 "For in him we live, and move ,and have our being; as certain of your poets have said, For we are also his offspring".

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".

2 Corinthians 13:11 "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace be with you".

PREMISE

The Pulpit Commentary page 135 on 2 Cor.5:17 "The believer has died with Christ. Christ is his Substitute, has born his sins, has made complete satisfaction for his guilt. By faith he is so united to Christ that what Christ has done is imparted to him. He is thus new in relation to God. He was condemned; now he is justified, The believer partakes of the life of Christ. He is "risen with Christ"(Col.3:1).he has received the Spirit of Christ. having been justified, he is now being sanctified. The likeness of the Redeemer is being wrought upon  and in him by the Holy Ghost. There is thus a "new creation". The old life was a life of sin, but the new life to which he has risen is a life of righteousness. The love of Christ constrains him, to live, not to himself, but to Christ".     

In the believer's spirit; speech; character; acts; plans, purposes, desires, ect. " All things are become new". There is no part of the believer's life from which the newness should be absent. Whilst not yet perfect, manifestly a great change has taken place:"old things are passed away"

Subtopic:" Promises with a Purpose"

Text :2 Peter 1:3-4 " According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:(vs4)Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be the partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust".

2 Cor.6:14;16-18 & Chap. 7:1: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness ? and what communion hath light with darkness?(vs16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.(vs17)Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (vs18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty".Chapter7:1 "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".

DEFINITION

Promise means "words said or written binding a person to do or not to do something.(2) indication of future excellence; something that gives hope of success or ground of expectation for".

PREMISE

The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 19, pages184-185, a commentary on 2 Cor.7:1 "THE PROMISES OF GOD AN INCENTIVE TO HOLY LIVING. Divine promise is found in all parts of the Scripture. The crown of revelation is thickly studded with the pearls of promise. God encourages his people by multiplying promises to them. There are promises suited to every condition--- for joy, sorrow, sickness, health, penury(great poverty), prosperity, weakness, strength. We change greatly in experience, but in every new condition we find a promise appropriate to it. The manna of promise covers the path of pilgrimage. How needful are the promises to us? For our support, guidance, comfort, encouragement,, happiness, advance. God's promises are our rods and staffs. Were it not for such up holdings, we should soon sink in the mire. How precious are they? What promises are like unto these? How can we compute the value of that which is invaluable? Divine promises are things by themselves. Nothing could compensate for their loss. Of such value are they that only God is rich enough to bestow them. What reliance maybe placed on them? They are all "yea" and "amen" in Christ. Promises, indeed, are obtained from men, but what men fail in is fulfillment. But the word of Jehovah cannot be broken. His promises are precious, but they are not more precious than sure.

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."