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.
"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". Romans 8:18
Definitions
Patience is defined as "willingness to put up with waiting, pain, trouble ect. 2) calm endurance without complaining or losing self-control. Patience implies calmness and self-control and applies whether one is enduring something unpleasant or merely waiting or doing something requiring steady effort.
Attitude---“a way of thinking, acting or feeling.”
Patience is urged in scripture : St. Luke 21:19 ; James 1:4. ;Patience is required to wait on God:Psa.37:7; Psa.40:1.
Exposition
1. Through Suffering The Attitude Of Patience Develops That Fuels The Christian’s “Going On To Perfection” Which Is The Goal Of The Believer’s Eternal Hope.
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".
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".
A. Perfect(complete; to complete thoroughly ) James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; (vs3) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (vs4) But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
B. Stablish (to make steadfast, firm and solid) Colossians 2:6-7 “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: (vs7) Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”
C. Strengthen (to be filled with all strength) Eph. 3:16-19 “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; (vs17) That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, (vs18) May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; (vs19) And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”
D. Settle (to secure as in a foundation; to ground with security) 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.”
2. Through The Attitude Of Patience We Endure Suffering That As We Go On Unto Perfection After While We Will Receive Our Glory.-- 1 John 3:1-3 “BEHOLD, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.(vs2) 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.”
3.Through The Attitude Of Patience We Endure Suffering That As We Go On Unto Perfection We Allow The Mind Of Christ To Be Developed In Us --- Philippians 2:5-8 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (vs6) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (vs7) But made of himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (vs8) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
4. Through The Attitude Of Patience We Endure Suffering That As We Go On Unto Perfection We Learn How To Totally Surrender Unto Presenting Our Bodies A Living Sacrifice--- Philippians 2:5-8 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (vs6) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (vs7) But made of himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (vs8) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
5. Through The Attitude Of Patience We Endure Suffering That As We Go On Unto Perfection We Learn How To Think As God Would Have Us To Think--- Phil.4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue,(moral excellence, goodness, purity) and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
6. Through The Attitude Of Patience We Endure Suffering That As We Go On Unto Perfection We Learn How To Follow The Lord’s Steps---1 Peter 2:21-24 “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( crafty deceit) 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: (vs24) Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”
7. Through The Attitude Of Patience We Endure Suffering That As We Go On Unto Perfection We Learn How to Reorder Our Priories That A Holy Ambition Develops---
Text: Phi. 3:7-14"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. (vs8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.(vs9) And be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:(vs10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (vs11) If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (vs12) Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (vs13) Brethern I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (vs14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.