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.”
The Continuance Of The People Of God Is Based On The Mission Of The Defense Of The “Faith”
Continuity means “the state or quality of being continuous. (2) a continuous or connected whole; uninterrupted succession; unbroken series.”
Endurance means “the power to last or keep on. (2) the power to put up with bear, or stand. (3) the act or an instance of enduring pain or hardship ect. (4) continued existence in time; duration.”
EXPOSITION
1. The Essence Of Continuance Is Endurance --- Hebrews 12:1-3 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (vs2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (vs3) For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” 2 Timothy 2 :3-4 “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (vs4) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” 1 Peter 1:13-16 “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (vs14) As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: (vs15) But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; (vs16) Because it is written (Lev.11:44) Be ye holy; for I am holy.
2. The Idea Of Personal Continuance Must be Based On A Personal Hope--- 2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (vs8) Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
Galatians 6:9-10 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (vs10) As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
3. The Continuance Of The People Of God Is Based On The Mission Of The Defense Of The “Faith” --- Jude (vss3&4) “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. (vs4) For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness,(unbridled lust)and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:27-28 “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; (vs28) And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.”
4. The Wickedness Of The Last Days Demand That We Continue, Endure and Extend The Doctrine And Teachings Of The Apostles. --- 1 Timothy 4:1-2 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrine of devils; (vs2) Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” 2 Timothy 4:2-4 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.(vs3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (vs4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 &7 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (vs2)For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (vs3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (vs4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (vs5) Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (vs7) Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
5. The Preordained Plan For The Continuance Of The Lord’s Church Is Based On The People Of God Continuing and Enduring In:
(a)Following In Jesus’ Footsteps---1 Peter 2:21-23 “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (vs22) Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: (vs23) Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:”
(b)The Words Of Our Lord Jesus Christ---St. John 8:31-32 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (vs32) And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”
(c) Continuing To Embrace The Basis Of Our Discipleship ---St. Matthew 16:24-26 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (vs25) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. (vs26) For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
(d) Continuing To Surrender Our Lives To The Lord--- 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.”
(e) Continuing Holding Fast Our Profession, Being Considerate One Of Another And Being Faithful To The House Of The Lord ---Hebrews 10:23-25 “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) (vs24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. (vs25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much more, as ye see the day approaching.”
(f) Continuing In The Apostolic Traditions Of The Bible --- 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15 “But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (vs14) Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (vs15) Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”
(g) Continuing In Our Labor For The Lord --- 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”