
Harmon A. Baldwin
- Sermons
- Bio
Ecstatic Feelings
1JOB 23:10MAL 4:2MAT 4:11CO 2:14JAS 1:12Harmon A. Baldwin discusses the concept of the Sun of Righteousness always shining on the holy man, emphasizing that while clouds of trials and temptations may temporarily obscure one's consciousness of God's presence, the sanctified individual can still experience inner light and victory through faith. Baldwin challenges the notion that continual mountain-top ecstasies are inseparable from a pure heart, highlighting the importance of soul victory and obedience to God's will as true triumph in Christ, regardless of earthly circumstances. He concludes by affirming that living a holy life involves detecting and resisting temptations, maintaining purity of heart even in the face of adversities.
Definition.
0PSA 51:10ISA 1:182CO 7:1GAL 5:22PHP 2:151TH 5:23HEB 12:14JAS 4:81JN 4:18Harmon A. Baldwin preaches about Christian Perfection as the perfect love for God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, where all thoughts, words, and actions are governed by pure love. He explains the journey from justification to holiness, highlighting the eradication of inherent sinful tendencies and the attainment of a heart made holy. Baldwin emphasizes that holiness is the absence of all moral defilement and the perfect presence of inbred sin, requiring a complete removal of all wrong tendencies. He delves into the power of purity, manifested in self-control, victory over temptations, influence with men, and a deep connection with God, leading to a life filled with the fruits of the Spirit.
Faith - Concluded
0MRK 9:24ROM 10:10EPH 2:8HEB 11:6JAS 2:17Harmon A. Baldwin delves into the essence of saving or sanctifying faith, emphasizing the three aspects: historical faith, expectant faith, and appropriating faith. Historical faith involves believing in the facts about Christ, God's attributes, and the Bible. Expectant faith requires believing in God's reward for diligent seekers and actively expecting His deliverance. Appropriating faith, also known as saving faith, is a full reliance on Christ's work, a trust in His atonement, and a confidence in the forgiveness of sins. Baldwin highlights the importance of acknowledging, receiving, and fully trusting in the cleansing power of Christ through faith, leading to sanctification and salvation.
Strivings Within.
0GEN 21:9Harmon A. Baldwin preaches about the journey of a new convert, highlighting the initial victory and joy experienced after conversion, followed by the revelation of internal struggles and the need for cleansing. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing inbred sin, the internal warfare between flesh and spirit, and the process of praying through for deliverance. Baldwin encourages believers to press forward, seek peace from God amidst the internal strife, and not limit the timing of God's work in their lives.
Motives
0PSA 51:10ISA 6:5MAT 5:82CO 7:1PHP 2:131TH 4:7HEB 12:14JAS 4:31PE 1:161JN 1:9Harmon A. Baldwin preaches about the importance of having the right motives when seeking holiness, emphasizing that God looks at the heart and the intentions behind our actions. He warns against seeking holiness for selfish reasons, such as wanting to feel happy, make a good appearance, or have a remarkable testimony, stressing the need for genuine transformation and surrender to God's will. Baldwin encourages believers to seek holiness out of a desire to please God, grow in grace, and be effective vessels for sharing the Gospel, highlighting the necessity of being cleansed from inbred sin to fully love and serve God.
Hindrances
0PRO 13:4MAT 7:7LUK 1:73JHN 17:201CO 10:12EPH 3:161TH 5:23HEB 10:36REV 3:20Harmon A. Baldwin preaches about the struggle experienced in seeking holiness, emphasizing the spiritual sloth and indifference that hinder individuals from pursuing the greatest boon granted by God. Signs of spiritual sloth include lack of interest in prayer, absence of desire for God's house, indifference towards the salvation of others, procrastination, and the temptation to wait for a more 'favorable' time. Baldwin encourages believers to overcome laziness, half-hearted seeking, and the enemy's deceptive suggestions by earnestly seeking holiness, resisting distractions, and holding themselves up against the clear light of heaven.
Conviction
0PSA 51:10ISA 1:18ROM 8:13PHP 2:121JN 1:9Dr. Jesse T. Peck and Harmon A. Baldwin emphasize the importance of conviction in seeking holiness, explaining that God does not forcefully remove the carnality in our hearts but requires our willing consent and understanding of what needs to be cleansed. The Holy Spirit reveals the depth of sin within us until we willingly exchange it for purity. Conviction for cleansing involves a clear realization of our unclean condition and a pressing need for deliverance, leading to a deep desire for a full transformation.
Conviction -- Concluded
0PSA 51:10PSA 139:23PRO 28:132CO 7:10GAL 5:16PHP 2:3HEB 4:12JAS 1:51PE 5:61JN 1:9Harmon A. Baldwin preaches about the importance of seeking God's light to reveal the depths of depravity within our hearts. He emphasizes the need for earnest prayer, fasting, and a determined effort to obtain wisdom and self-revelation from God. Baldwin encourages believers to hold their hearts open to receive God's light, to examine their souls prayerfully, and to be honest in identifying and addressing sinful tendencies. He highlights the significance of deep self-examination, sincere repentance, and the continuous pursuit of purity of heart and life through God's grace.
Confession
0PSA 32:5PRO 28:13ROM 10:101TI 6:12JAS 5:161JN 1:9Harmon A. Baldwin preaches about the importance of confession of inherent sin as a Bible requirement, emphasizing the need for honesty and humility in acknowledging the depravity of the heart. Confession is not for penance or priestly absolution but for truth to the conscience, convictions of the soul by the Holy Spirit, and the demands of the church. The act of confession is a vital step towards seeking forgiveness and cleansing from God, requiring an honest acknowledgment of one's sins and shortcomings.
Confession - Concluded
0PSA 32:5PSA 51:10PRO 28:13MRK 1:15ACT 3:192CO 7:10HEB 10:22JAS 5:161JN 1:71JN 1:9Harmon A. Baldwin emphasizes the importance of confession, highlighting that while public and private confession can be beneficial, God will provide a way for honest seekers even when such opportunities are not available. He encourages individuals to pour out their hearts to God, who is always ready to listen and help, even when there is no human ear to hear. Baldwin stresses the significance of deep repentance, urging believers to confess their sins and seek God's forgiveness and cleansing, emphasizing the need to forsake all inward and outward sins to attain Christian perfection.
Miscellaneous
0PSA 34:4PSA 51:10MAT 6:16LUK 11:9GAL 5:25PHP 2:121TH 5:23HEB 11:6JAS 4:8Harmon A. Baldwin emphasizes the importance of being led by the Spirit in the quest for God, urging believers to open their hearts before God, acknowledge their troubles, and talk faith while shunning unbelief. He highlights the power of faith in cleansing and the need for patience in seeking God's guidance and sanctification. Baldwin stresses the significance of waiting for the direct witness of the Spirit and avoiding rushing into professions without thorough surrender and examination before God. He encourages humility, persistent prayer, and fasting as vital components in pursuing holiness and perfect love.
Uses of Temptation
0ROM 5:32CO 12:9HEB 12:5JAS 1:21PE 5:10Harmon A. Baldwin preaches about the benefits of temptations and trials in the journey towards holiness. He emphasizes that temptations humble, purify, and instruct individuals, leading them to become partakers of God's holiness. Baldwin refutes the idea of obtaining holiness through sufferings but acknowledges that pains and trials, when accepted with a surrendered heart to God's will, can lead to spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of God's love and power.
Abandonment or Consecration
0PSA 51:10JER 17:9ROM 12:1GAL 2:201JN 1:9Harmon A. Baldwin preaches about the importance of understanding the requirements of God by examining the seeking soul's condition, the nature of the experience sought, and the relationship with God before and after being cleansed from sin. The seeking soul's contract with God for pardon is complete in will but lacks purity in the heart due to involuntary sinful elements. The soul seeks complete conformity to God's nature, desiring a heart free from inordinate affections and fully centered on God. Through abandonment to God, the seeker can experience entire sanctification, being filled with God's fullness and made perfect in love, without any hindrance to God's will.
Faith
0MAT 7:21ACT 15:8ROM 10:17GAL 2:20EPH 2:81TH 5:23HEB 11:1JAS 2:191JN 5:10Harmon A. Baldwin preaches about the importance of genuine faith in the process of salvation and sanctification, emphasizing the need to distinguish between true faith and its counterfeit forms. He highlights that faith is not merely mental assent or resting on promises, but a deep, transformative trust in God's power to cleanse and purify the heart. Baldwin warns against misconceptions such as believing without evidence or relying on easy-going feelings, stressing the necessity of a Spirit-filled life and true surrender to God's work of sanctification.
Proper and Improper Candidates.
0PSA 66:18PRO 28:13ROM 6:62CO 5:17GAL 5:22PHP 2:131TH 5:23HEB 10:221JN 1:9Harmon A. Baldwin preaches about the importance of understanding who are proper candidates for holiness or entire sanctification. He emphasizes that those who have never been converted, backsliders in heart, and those living inconsistent lives are not suitable candidates for sanctifying grace. Baldwin highlights the necessity of repentance, clear conversion, and a changed life as prerequisites for seeking the experience of holiness.
The Witness of the Spirit
0ISA 1:18ROM 8:161CO 2:121JN 3:241JN 5:6Harmon A. Baldwin preaches about the importance of receiving the Spirit's witness to the cleansing of the heart for certainty in experiencing holiness. A failure to receive this witness leads to unsteadiness and uncertainty in one's faith journey. The witness of the Spirit is a direct revelation of the fact of inwrought holiness, accompanied by a sense of cleanness, the blood of Christ flowing over the soul, and a deep sense of abasement. Baldwin emphasizes the need for a clear, unmistakable, and positive witness from the Holy Spirit to confirm the work of sanctification in the heart.
The Witness of Our Own Spirits
0PSA 51:10ROM 8:16GAL 5:22PHP 1:91TH 5:23HEB 12:14JAS 4:81PE 1:161JN 5:10Harmon A. Baldwin preaches on the importance of the witness of the Spirit, emphasizing that the testimony of God's Spirit must precede our own testimony of holiness. He distinguishes between justification and sanctification, highlighting that sanctification purifies the heart and removes involuntary evil tempers. Baldwin explains that true holiness goes beyond outward actions, reaching the depths of the soul's motives and desires. He cautions against relying solely on emotional experiences or ecstasies as evidence of holiness, stressing the need for the witness of the Spirit and the fruits of a holy life to align.
Conflicts of the Entirely Sanctified
0ISA 7:9ROM 12:161CO 6:122CO 12:10COL 2:61TH 3:13HEB 3:14HEB 10:231PE 3:71PE 5:10Harmon A. Baldwin preaches about the importance of retaining perfect purity through continual faith in the leading promises of the gospel. He emphasizes the need to have faith in God, to be established in holiness, and to walk rooted and built up in Christ. Baldwin highlights the necessity of being established in faith, holding fast to God's promises, and enduring trials to strengthen and settle the soul in God. He also discusses the challenges of maintaining holiness, the importance of teachableness, and the need for self-denial and self-indulgence in the pursuit of spiritual growth and maturity.
Causes of Vacillation
0PSA 125:1PRO 16:18ROM 12:121CO 10:12EPH 6:18PHP 3:131TH 5:17JAS 4:71PE 5:6Harmon A. Baldwin preaches about the reasons why people fail to maintain a steady experience in holiness, emphasizing the importance of heart conditions, faith, watchfulness, self-humiliation, resignation, carelessness in outward life, pressing forward, and prayer. He highlights that vacillation in holiness can be caused by lack of faith in God's ability to keep us, failure to watch for spiritual attacks, reluctance to humble oneself, resistance to self-denial, and neglect of earnest prayer in the Spirit.
Why People Oppose the Doctrine
0PSA 58:4ISA 6:9MAT 1:21JHN 3:19JHN 16:17Harmon A. Baldwin addresses the various reasons for opposition to the doctrine and experience of entire sanctification. Some oppose due to false ideas of holiness standards, while others fail to comprehend the concept despite clear explanations. Faulty theology, misled by skeptical teachers, focusing on men instead of God's word, and misunderstanding the breadth of redemption also contribute to opposition. Additionally, some resist holiness because they underestimate God's power to transform and prefer to hold onto sin, which opposes the holiness of God.
Keswickism
0LUK 1:73LUK 2:35ACT 10:152CO 7:1GAL 4:22EPH 4:22EPH 5:25COL 3:81TH 5:23HEB 12:11PE 2:1Harmon A. Baldwin addresses the dangerous doctrine of 'suppression' which teaches that depravity always lurks beneath consciousness, advocating for the eradication of the carnal nature from the soul. He contrasts this with the biblical teaching of sanctification and cleansing through Christ's sacrifice, emphasizing the possibility of living a holy and blameless life. Baldwin challenges the idea that the baptism of the Holy Spirit does not involve cleansing from sin, urging believers to allow the Spirit to rid them of the old man instead of suppressing him.
Failure to Obtain the Experience
0MAT 11:122TI 2:15HEB 11:6JAS 4:3Harmon A. Baldwin addresses the objection that holiness cannot be obtained by sharing a story of a man who doubted the Methodists' religion because he did not receive it immediately. Baldwin emphasizes that the lack of sanctification in some individuals does not negate the truth that God sanctifies those who seek Him. He explains that failure to obtain holiness may be due to lack of earnestness, improper spiritual condition, wrong motives, lack of faith, or misunderstanding of the conditions for cleansing.
Inconsistencies in Professors
0PRO 21:2MAT 7:61CO 4:31TI 6:3TIT 1:16In his sermon, Harmon A. Baldwin addresses objections to holiness based on the inconsistencies seen in the lives of believers. He compares the existence of counterfeit money to counterfeit holiness, emphasizing that the presence of fake holiness does not diminish the value of true holiness but rather highlights its beauty and grace. Baldwin challenges the notion that inconsistencies in some believers' lives discredit the doctrine of holiness, pointing out that good doctrines serve as a restraint against evil deeds. He also questions the authority of unsanctified individuals to judge the holiness of others, highlighting the importance of God as the ultimate judge of sanctification.
Do Not Bear Proper Fruits
0PRO 16:2MAT 7:16MAT 7:20ROM 14:41CO 4:5GAL 6:4JAS 2:171PE 1:221JN 1:71JN 3:18Harmon A. Baldwin addresses the objection that many professors of holiness do not bear the fruits of holiness, comparing it to the fallacy of assuming all people speak English or German just because those encountered do. He explains that some who claim holiness may lack proper evidence due to misunderstanding, lack of knowledge, or over-conscientiousness, leading to a deficiency in bearing fruits. Baldwin also highlights that some may be cleansed but mistaken in requirements, emphasizing that God purifies motives and allows room for growth in grace. Additionally, he points out the error in expecting more from holiness professing individuals than God does and acknowledges the presence of hypocrites within the holiness profession.
The Call to Holiness.
0ISA 1:18Harmon A. Baldwin preaches on the call to holiness, emphasizing that God has not called us to uncleanness but to holiness. He highlights the infinite possibilities and worth of our souls, urging listeners to seek spiritual fulfillment and purification through God's perfect love. Baldwin encourages believers to awaken to their holy calling, reminding them that God offers greater things, including freedom from unholy tempers and the carnal mind, leading to full salvation and perfection in love.