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: Day By Day I Will Make This Journey

Sermon Notes By Pastor Arthur H. Coleman Sr. For Sunday April 6, 2014

Text: Psalm 37:23-26 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. (vs24) Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. (vs25) I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. (vs26) He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.”

Romans 8:28-31 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. (vs29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (vs30) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (vs31) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”

PREMISE

The Pulpit Commentary Vol.8,Pages 290-291,a comment on Romans 8;28 “In The Widest Sense Human Life--- “ the steps of [each] man,” the path in which he treads--- is under God’s guidance; upheld by his power, directed by his counsel (Proverbs 20:24). As a journey is made up of single steps, and one false step may be fatal; so life, of momentary experiences and acts of choice, of which the greatest may hinge on the least. Life or death may hang on a pair of damp sheets or wet shoes, or a whiff of poisoned air. The fate of an empire may turn on the flight of a bullet. A spider’s web spun across a dark opening has saved a fugitive from his persecutors. A successful career or a happy home may be owing to a seemingly chance meeting. If, therefore God rules human affairs, he must foresee and control their most minute and secure causes.”

Subtopic: "Don't Fight The Feeling"

Sermon Notes By Pastor Arthur H. Coleman Sr. for Sunday January 12, 2014

Text: Ezekiel 36:24-27 “For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. (vs25) Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. (vs26) A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. (vs27) And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”

Romans 12:1-2 “I Beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (vs2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Ephesians 4:21-24 “If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: (vs22) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (vs23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; (vs24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

PREMISE

The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.20, Pages 157-158 , a Comment on Ephesians 4:20-24 “Ye have not so learned Christ, if so be ye heard him,” ect. (ver.20) The whole tenor Of Christ’s teaching and influence is against these things. Only make sure that you have come under it. What they are. (1) “Put off the old man,” ect. Comprehensiveness of the word “man;” his tendency is to rottenness or corruption; the lusts of deceit which are connected with him are that which will cause great harm or damage and ruinous. (2) “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” Renewal begins within by the Holy Spirit rousing in you a desire for it, urging you to use the means towards it. Accept and improve these movements of the Spirit within you. (3) In this way, “put on the new man,” and especially encourage and seek to have developed these two features of creation--- righteousness and holiness. Righteousness, including integrity, honest, true, fair, open dealing; doing justly out and out, in every place and in every relation--- in the house, the market, the shop, among neighbors, among strangers, everywhere and at all times. Holiness of truth, including high reverence for God and all that is Divine, sympathy and congeniality of heart with God, cleanness of nature, purity, of soul, conformity to the image of Christ, who is the Image of the invisible God. No professing Christian can be exempted from this rule of life. Nor should any assume too readily that he is thoroughly conforming to it. “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”(1 Cor.10:12). Christianity in its practical relations is very searching and thorough. It demands a high standard of life and patience. But no wonder, if Christ be the Head, the Source of all vital power, and if there be a complete provision by which the needed power may be communicated to all members. Never let it be said to Christians, What do ye more than others?”

Subtopic: "I Will’s": God's Commitment of Love And Faithfulness To His Will And Purpose

Text: Romans 8:28-31: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (vs29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren, (vs30) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (vs31) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Premise

The Pulpit Commentary Vol.18 , Pages 225-226 , a comment on Romans 8:28  “The purpose which may be detected in all things is a good purpose. A moral aim is discoverable throughout the universe, and emphatically in human life. All things work together, not indeed for the promotion of pleasure, but for moral good--- the highest and worthiest of all aims. This conviction is the key to many difficulties by which observant and reflecting minds have been distressed. This moral purpose is secured so far as spiritual beings voluntarily conform to God’s will. As a matter of fact, the order of things does not actually secure the good of all beings; many will not receive the benefits which nature and life are intended to convey. But Christians who love God, and who respond to his call in Christ’s gospel, do really reap advantages to which others are strangers. These are the obedient, who are attentive to the Divine summons and accomplish the Divine purpose. For these all circumstances are ordained and overruled, that they may minister to the true well-being of God’s people.

The Christian may learn to avoid murmuring, when he remembers that even untoward circumstances are intended to work out his highest good. Such a conviction casts a new light upon daily experiences; and what otherwise might be regarded as annoyances, calling forth resentment, are  now looked upon as ministrations of Divine love and mercy. The Christian may seek to profit by all God’s providential dealings. It is the spirit in which these are received which determines whether or not they shall be means of blessing; and the proper spirit is one of submission and teachableness. The Christian will cherish the expectation that the day will come when, looking back upon the path by which he has been led, and the discipline through which he has passed, he shall be able gratefully to acknowledge that God “ hath done all things well” .”

Text: Romans 8:28-31 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.(vs29) For whom he did know, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (vs30)Moreover whom he did predestinate ,them he also called : and whom he called, them he also justified: and who he justified, them he also glorified. (vs31) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

PREMISE

The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.18, Page 226, a comment on Romans 8:28 "The Christian may learn to avoid murmuring, when he remembers that even untoward circumstances are intended to work out his highest good. Such a conviction casts a new light upon daily experiences; and what otherwise might be regarded as annoyances, calling forth resentment, are now looked upon as ministrations of Divine love and mercy. The Christian may seek to profit by all God's providential dealings. It is the spirit in which these are received which determines whether or not they shall be means of blessing; and the proper spirit is one of submission and teachableness. The Christian will cherish the expectation that the day will come when, looking back upon the path by which he had been led, and the discipline through which he has passed, he shall be able gratefully to acknowledge that God "hath done all things well."

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."