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.”
The Foundation Of Our Praise And Worship Must Be Centered On The Eternal And Spiritual Blessings Of God.
Blessing may be defined as being primarily the active outgoing of the Divine goodwill or grace which results in prosperity and happiness among men.”
EXPOSITION
1. The Foundation Of Our Praise And Worship Must Be Based On The Fact Of The Overall Effect Of God’s Blessings.---Proverbs 10:22 “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.”
2.The Foundation Of Our Praise And Worship Must Be Centered On The Eternal And Spiritual Blessings Of God.
(a.) Salvation---St. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
(b.) Forgiveness---Colossians 1:12-14 “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: (vs13) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (vs14) In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”
(c.) Regeneration---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.”
(d.)Justification---Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (vs2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
(e.) No Condemnation---Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
(f.) Sanctification---1 Corinthians 1:30-31 “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (vs31) That, according as it is written,( Jer.9:23-24)He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
(g)Spiritual Power---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.”
3. The Foundation Of Our Praise And Worship Must Be Based On The Reception Of The Divine Promises Of God’s Blessings.
(a.) The Promise Of Brighter Days--- Psalm 30:5 “For his anger endureth but for a moment: in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
(b.) Deliverance From Afflictions--- Psalm 34:17-19 “The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. (vs18) The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. (vs19) Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”
(c.) The Ongoing Comfort Of God’s Presence---Isaiah 43:1-2 “But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. (vs2) When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”
(d.) The Guarantee Of Answer To United Prayer--- 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
(e.) The Assurance That God Will My Sacrifices Of Liberality---St. Luke 6:38 “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
(f.)The Promise Of The Knowledge To Know That God Will Make Everything Work Out Ultimately To My Benefit---Romans 8:28 “ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.”
(g.) The Thoughts Of God’s Mind Toward His People Are Always For Our Blessing.---Jeremiah 29:11-13 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (vs12) Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. (vs13) and ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
(h.)The Assurance Of Deliverance In Times Of Temptations--- 1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
(i.) The Promise Of Sure Reward For Your Labour---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.”