Colossians 4:7 - 15 - "Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 1Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house."
***Effective ministry requires teamwork
Unity included diversity
Interdependence is God's design
***Effective ministry requires encouragement
Encouragement keeps you in the race
Encouragement is focused on God's grace
The quality of your encouragement is directly related to God's work in your life
***Effective ministry requires humble sacrifice
Phillipians 2:2 - 4 - "...then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Sacrifice requires putting others first
Sacrifice is the key to teamwork
***Effective ministry invests in the future
Pass on your faith - Paul passed his life on to his companions
Pass on your ministry
***Every believer is significant in the plan of God
***In the kingdom of God, there are many servants, but one Lord
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Every Believer a Witness in Christ
Pastor Mel started this sermon talking about Alfred Nobel. His brother, Ludvig died in 1888, and the obituary accidently reported that it was Alfred who had died, labeling him the 'merchant of death.' He invented dynamite, and an article can be found on him here. Not wanting to be remembered in such a terrible way, he is who the Nobel Prize is named after.
Colossians 4:5 - 6 - "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
***There can be a great difference in what you think you are and how others see you
***Walk the walk (v 5)
1 Thessalonians 1:5 - "...because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake." - You become the testimony others can see
(a) Live in the wisdom of Christ - "Let the word of Christ dwell richly in you in all wisdom."
Christ is looking more for our devotion to Him than for our service to Him. There is a difference in trying to live right and having a relationship with Christ.
(b) Live in the opportunities given by Christ - Obedience to Christ is found in the timing of our response
***Talk the talk (v 6)
(a) Our speech shold be gracious - your mouth is a reflection of your heart (Matt 15:18 - "But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.'")
(b) Our speech should be salty - it should make a difference - a simple word of truth can set a person free
(c) Our speech should be ready - be ready to speak a word to people that need - God's word and a spirit filled life are a powerful combination
***Is there anything in me that would obscure the vision of Christ to a watching world?
***No matter what has happened in your past, you can determine today how you will live the rest of your life
***God expects every believer to be a witness for Him
***To be in Christ will impact the way you live, what you say, and people will be drawn to you
Colossians 4:5 - 6 - "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
***There can be a great difference in what you think you are and how others see you
***Walk the walk (v 5)
1 Thessalonians 1:5 - "...because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake." - You become the testimony others can see
(a) Live in the wisdom of Christ - "Let the word of Christ dwell richly in you in all wisdom."
Christ is looking more for our devotion to Him than for our service to Him. There is a difference in trying to live right and having a relationship with Christ.
(b) Live in the opportunities given by Christ - Obedience to Christ is found in the timing of our response
***Talk the talk (v 6)
(a) Our speech shold be gracious - your mouth is a reflection of your heart (Matt 15:18 - "But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.'")
(b) Our speech should be salty - it should make a difference - a simple word of truth can set a person free
(c) Our speech should be ready - be ready to speak a word to people that need - God's word and a spirit filled life are a powerful combination
***Is there anything in me that would obscure the vision of Christ to a watching world?
***No matter what has happened in your past, you can determine today how you will live the rest of your life
***God expects every believer to be a witness for Him
***To be in Christ will impact the way you live, what you say, and people will be drawn to you
Sunday, July 12, 2009
A Call to Prayer in Christ
Colossians 4:2 - 4 - "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should."
***How important is prayer in your life? Could you say that you are earnestly praying? Is it a priority or is it something you do if you have time?
***Prayer does not fit us for the greater work - Prayer IS the greater work (Oswald Chambers)
***God does not need us, but for some reason, He has chosen to work through His people
***Prayer is the fruit of Christ in you - to be like Christ is to be a person of prayer
***Prayer is intentional and consistent - it is a decision to invest your life in eternal things
***Prayer is from a heart of gratitude - do it with thanksgiving - do it with a grateful heart that recognizes God's work in your life
***We are called to pray with and for our spiritual leaders
Ephesians 6:18 - 20 - "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."
***Leaders live in a spiritual battlefield - Satan would love to see a leader fall
***Leaders proclaim an eternal message
***Leaders are one among many members in the body of Christ
***Is Christ in you producing the fruit of prayer?
***He is calling you to pray today because He knows your tomorrow
***God is calling you to pray because He is conforming you to the image of His son
***Without prayer, a church is like a body without a spirit - it is a dead, inanimate thing. A church with prayer has God in it. Prayer is the one distinguishing mark of the house of God.
***How important is prayer in your life? Could you say that you are earnestly praying? Is it a priority or is it something you do if you have time?
***Prayer does not fit us for the greater work - Prayer IS the greater work (Oswald Chambers)
***God does not need us, but for some reason, He has chosen to work through His people
***Prayer is the fruit of Christ in you - to be like Christ is to be a person of prayer
***Prayer is intentional and consistent - it is a decision to invest your life in eternal things
***Prayer is from a heart of gratitude - do it with thanksgiving - do it with a grateful heart that recognizes God's work in your life
***We are called to pray with and for our spiritual leaders
Ephesians 6:18 - 20 - "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."
***Leaders live in a spiritual battlefield - Satan would love to see a leader fall
***Leaders proclaim an eternal message
***Leaders are one among many members in the body of Christ
***Is Christ in you producing the fruit of prayer?
***He is calling you to pray today because He knows your tomorrow
***God is calling you to pray because He is conforming you to the image of His son
***Without prayer, a church is like a body without a spirit - it is a dead, inanimate thing. A church with prayer has God in it. Prayer is the one distinguishing mark of the house of God.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Your Family in Christ
Colossians 3:18 - 4:1 - "Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.
Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven."
Galatians 3:27 - 28 - "..for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
***Freedom in Christ does not mean freedom from responsibility. It is a higher accountability.
***The sovereign God of the universe made you just as you are - you need to be content as you are and fulfill the role He has given you.
1 - Marriage relationship
(a) - wives, submit to your husbands as is fitting to the Lord
submit = modest cooperative demeanor that puts others first
Ephesians 5:21 - "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."
Mark 10:42 - 45 - "Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Philippians 2:3 - 4 - "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
(b) - husbands - love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
A husband honors the Lord by his tender and sacrificial care for his wife
2 - Parental relationship
(a) children - obey your parents in all things
(b) fathers - do not provoke children to anger
3 - Work relationships
(a) bondservants, obey your mastsers
(b) masters, give bondservants what is just and fair
***The Lord validates and blesses every person who lives their life unto Him
***In every relationship you have, be a blessing
***Are you living your life for God's glory?
***Are you living in a way that honors Him?
***Don't look for another life - this is the life God has given you.
***When you begin to try to live someone else's life, everything falls apart
***Live your life in a way so that everyone knows you believe in Jesus Christ
Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven."
Galatians 3:27 - 28 - "..for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
***Freedom in Christ does not mean freedom from responsibility. It is a higher accountability.
***The sovereign God of the universe made you just as you are - you need to be content as you are and fulfill the role He has given you.
1 - Marriage relationship
(a) - wives, submit to your husbands as is fitting to the Lord
submit = modest cooperative demeanor that puts others first
Ephesians 5:21 - "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."
Mark 10:42 - 45 - "Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Philippians 2:3 - 4 - "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
(b) - husbands - love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
A husband honors the Lord by his tender and sacrificial care for his wife
2 - Parental relationship
(a) children - obey your parents in all things
(b) fathers - do not provoke children to anger
3 - Work relationships
(a) bondservants, obey your mastsers
(b) masters, give bondservants what is just and fair
***The Lord validates and blesses every person who lives their life unto Him
***In every relationship you have, be a blessing
***Are you living your life for God's glory?
***Are you living in a way that honors Him?
***Don't look for another life - this is the life God has given you.
***When you begin to try to live someone else's life, everything falls apart
***Live your life in a way so that everyone knows you believe in Jesus Christ
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