Subtopic: “The Need For Inward Power”

Sermon Notes by Pastor Arthur H. Coleman Sr. For Sunday March 16, 2014

Text:1 John 3:24 “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.”

Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

PREMISE

The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.22, Page 86 a comment on 1 John 3:24. “THE FRUITFUL INDWELLING OF THE SPIRIT IS THE SEAL OF GOD’S LIFE IN THE SOUL. “When by inspiration not of man nor by man we are led to a life which is above and beyond nature, “ we know that he abides in us.” The Spirit which he gave us when we believed (Eph.1:13) is the seal to us of God’s own life. His command used to be an outside letter, bidding us to live a life that was high above us. Now we have an inward force, inspiring a life that conforms to the letter! In a word, God’s Spirit in the soul brings about, in actual life, what the precept enjoins. By the Word we are taught that such a life was the right one to lead. By the Spirit we are also inspired that we cannot lead any other! Let us give note to the fact that :1 The God’s Law outside of our being is a great gift. The Spirit within is greater. It is a blessing to be shown the right way. It is a greater blessing to be disposed to walk therein. 2. As we all have the blessing of the Word, and since we know that there is a greater one obtainable, ought we not to seek for it? For observe: 3. The Gift of the Holy Ghost, albeit it is the greatest possible blessing, is precisely that of which we may make most sure, when sought by fervent prayer. 4. Let those who have the Spirit of God seek for a richer fullness of his indwelling power. The more that we allow the Holy Ghost to possess us, the easier will it be to obey; and just as it is the penitent’s duty to receive pardon from Christ by faith, even so it is the believer’s duty to receive the Spirit from him by faith.” 

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: Holding On To God’s Unchanging Plan “(This Is The Plan)”

Sermon Notes By Pastor Arthur H. Coleman Sr. for Sunday December 22, 2013

Text: Ephesians 1:3-7 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (vs4) 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 good pleasure of his will, (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;”

2 Timothy 1:9-11 “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (vs10) But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (vs11) Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gen’tiles.”

Acts 2:40-42 “And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward (difficult to manage, restrain or control; perverse; stubborn or willful)generation. (vs41) Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (vs42) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

PREMISE

The Pulpit Commentary,Vol20, Page 33, a comment on Eph.1:4 “Holiness and perfection are the ends aimed at God’s electing love. It is because this is lost sight of that we have so much confusion on this subject. God could not elect any soul to a salvation without holiness; the idea has no meaning in the Divine mind. Men may desire to separate salvation from holiness, to carry their sins with them into the heavenly world; but such desires are vain, and under God’s government they can have no realization. The election is unto holiness. So long as a soul loves sin and hates holiness, he has no warrant to affirm election. He may subsequently turn from sin to God, and thus receive the evidence within him; but a soul that loves sin and hates holiness has no business dabbling with this doctrine of election. God saves no man except in the process he makes him holy. Hence we must remember “they were not chosen because they were viewed as holy, and therefore deserving to be distinguished as God’s favorites, on account of their obedience or personal purity, but that they should be holy.”

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: " We Must Continue In The Faith."

Text: Rev. 3:1-2 "And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and are dead.(vs2) Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God."

Acts 2: 40,42,44-47 " And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.(vs42)And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.(vs44) and all that believed were together, and had all things common;(vs45)And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.(vs46)And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, (vs47) Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

Jude verse 3 "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."

Premise

The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.18 , page 73, a comment on Acts2:43-47 "THE STRENGTH OF THE UNITING BOND in the new society of this early church was spiritual; not mere companionship, or social instinct, or common necessity, or political aim, but brotherly love springing out of faith---- a faith showing itself in self-sacrifice and steadfastness.

"THE SPECIALITY AND DISTINCTNESS of the early church manifested a new Christian life that was characterized by unselfishness, mutual consideration, compassion for the needy, gladness and singleness of heart, devoutness, purity of home life, steadfast continuing in well-doing."

Subtopic: " We Must Continue In The Faith."

Text: Rev. 3:1-2 "And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and are dead.(vs2) Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God."

Acts 2: 40,42,44-47 " And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.(vs42)And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.(vs44) and all that believed were together, and had all things common;(vs45)And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.(vs46)And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, (vs47) Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

Jude verse 3 "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."

Premise

The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.18 , page 73, a comment on Acts2:43-47 "THE STRENGTH OF THE UNITING BOND in the new society of this early church was spiritual; not mere companionship, or social instinct, or common necessity, or political aim, but brotherly love springing out of faith---- a faith showing itself in self-sacrifice and steadfastness.

"THE SPECIALITY AND DISTINCTNESS of the early church manifested a new Christian life that was characterized by unselfishness, mutual consideration, compassion for the needy, gladness and singleness of heart, devoutness, purity of home life, steadfast continuing in well-doing."

"THE MIGHTY EFFECT OF THIS NEW CHRISTIAN CHURCH upon an impure world was demonstrated by the fact that the true method of spreading religion is not by breaking down the distinctions between Church life and worldly life, but by revealing the spiritual power of Christ's kingdom."They had favour with all the people." The people know how to distinguish between reality and pretense. They will always be moved by sincerity. The Lord will add to his own work. The method which we see in nature is a type of that which is ordained in grace. The vigorous life is selected to carry on the increase. Half-hearted Christianity cannot convert the world. Multitudinism (the principle according to which the interests of multitudes are placed before those of individuals.) is a great mistake, as well as a mockery of Christ. Let the Lord add to the church; let not our desires, or even our observances of Christian institutions, multiply numbers without increasing strength."

Subtopic: "Spiritual Showers"

Text: Ezekiel 34:26-27 "And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.(vs27) And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the Lord, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them".

Acts 3:19-20 "Repent Ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord:(vs20)And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:"

Premise

The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 12, pages 211-212, a comment on Eze.34:26. "It is a sign of miserable deadness when any church or soul can be satisfied to continue in the dull routine of formal service without receiving any refreshing Divine grace. The first waking from such a condition of such lethargy or apathy must result in a great thirst of spirit".

The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.18, page120, a comment on Acts 3:19-20."THE TIMES OF REFRESHING THAT ARE ALWAYS CLOSE AT HAND. God is ever "waiting to be gracious", as it were watching for opportunities of giving men his rich spiritual blessing. Revivals are always close by, when men's hearts are made humble and open and seeking. Does an individual soul set itself upon humiliation and prayer? the "times of refreshing" are at hand for it. Does a church unite in confession and supplication? the "times of refreshing" will come in response to its cry. And this assurance should act as a moral persuasion, and urge men to seek for higher and better things. We are not limited or reduced, especially to insufficiency in God.  He would bless us more abundantly if we were more truly ready for the blessing."