Subtopic : “When I Think Of The Blessings Of Goodness Of Jesus And What He Has Done For Me, My Soul Cries Out Hallelujah Praise God For The Blessing Of Saving Me.” 

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.” 

Subtopic: Our Attitude Toward God’s Word: What Kind Of Witness Are You?

Sermon Notes By Pastor Arthur H. Coleman Sr. for Sunday December 29, 2013

Text: Deuteronomy 4:1-2 “Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you. (vs2) Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.”

 Revelation 22:16-20 “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. (vs17) And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (vs18) For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophesy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: (vs19) And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (vs20) He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen’. Even so come, Lord Jesus.”

PREMISE

The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 22, Page 551, a comment on Rev.22:18-19. “It would be deemed an unpardonable offense foe an ambassador to add words to, or to subtract them from any royal mandate which he was commissioned to deliver. And if anyone dispensing a physician’s prescription, which the life or death of a patient trembled in the balance, were recklessly to tamper with it, what condemnation could be too severe? Yet we fear that the tendency of many in our day is to treat a message in this book far more lightly that they would any important official human document; and instead of sympathizing with the words before us , and adding their reverent “Amen” they would in all probability either condemn the severity of these words, or else pass them as out of date and altogether exhausted or worn out.

The words of the text evidently embrace any kind of treatment of this Book of the Apocalypse which seemed to assume that a man was at liberty to take the book into his own hands, and to deal with it as he thought fit. Men do this : 1. If they put any merely human production alongside of it as if it were on a level therewith. 

2.If they distort the book at pleasure to make it fit in with a preconceived theory about it; e.g. human history, science or philosophy. 3. If they summarily reject the account which the book gives of itself, out of dislike to the supernatural, or from hostility to the principle of authority in religion. 4. If they make a human interpretation of the book of equal dignity or authority with the book itself. 5. If they deny or disown any of those great doctrines which are inwrought into the very texture of the book; e.g. the glory of Christ’s Person; the meaning of his work; the reality of his administration; the freeness of his grace; the certainty of his victory. These and other doctrines related in origin pervade the entire Apocalypse, and to omit, ignore, deny, or condemn them, from willful refusal to submit to Divine authority, would be to commit the sin which is here exposed to view. The words of the Apocalypse as a whole, and of these two verses in particular, are not human; they are Divine. We should hear a voice saying, “Take thy shoes from off thy feet; for the place whereon  thou standeth is holy ground.” 

Subtopic: The Offer Still Stands

Deut.30:15-16 "See I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;(vs16) In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God ,to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it".

Rev.3:20-22 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door , I will come into him, and sup with him, and he with me.(vs21) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne , even as I also overcame , and am set down with my Father in his throne. (vs22) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches".

Premise

The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.3 ,page 467 a comment on Deut. 30:15-20 “To love the Lord, to obey him, to cleave to him, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and judgments----this is obviously the right course for men to follow. On many grounds. 1. The Lord God is holy, and all his commandments are so too; and it is intrinsically and manifestly right to follow what is holy. 2. As our Maker and Preserver, God has supreme claims on our loyalty of heart and life. 3. As our Lawgiver, he has the infinite right to require our obedience. 4. As our Infinite Benefactor, having commended his love towards us, having bought us with a price, he has claim of love as well as a right of law. And it is not possible for a man to dispute this claim unless his nature is becoming so perverted that he begins to call evil good, or good evil.

There is a great blessing which will follow our loyalty and obedience. This is so under the gospel, as really as under the Law. For the Law rested on a basis of gospel, and the gospel brings with it its own law. How can it be otherwise? The gospel call is,” Repent, believe, obey.” This is the precise and immutable order. The grace of God teaches us that “ we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for that blessed hope,” ect. And we know what is the promised issue: “Godliness…. Hath promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” “For God is our life and the length of our days.” Peace, joy, hope, and all joyful graces and blessings attend on a life which is in accordance with God’s will.

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: Will You Answer The Call

Text: Isaiah 1:18-20 "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.(vs19)If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: (vs20) But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."

Revelation 3: 20-22  (To The Lukewarm Self-Satisfied Laodicean Church) "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (vs21) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (vs22) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

The Septuagint(Hebrew OT into Greek)by Charles Thompson translates Isa.1:18 as "then come---(let our controversy be brought to issue, saith the Lord) and though your sins be as a purple stain: I will make you white as snow--- though they be as a stain of scarlet: I will make you white as wool"

PREMISE

The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.10, Page 23, a comment on Isa 1: 18 "THE MAGNITUDE OF DIVINE MERCY. In estimating the fullness of God's grace to mankind, we must include: 1.His patience toward all men, both penitent and impenitent. From the beginning of sin until the present hour God has been forbearing to inflict penalty." He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities."(Psa. 103:10) The times of long- continued ignorance God overlooked, or did not interpose with special penalty or redemption (Acts 17:30).