The Word of Christ in You

Pastor Mel is back and it felt good to get back into the study of Colossians:

Colossians 3:16-17 : "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

***God wants to reveal Himself to you and has chosen the sacred text as a means to do it

***The Bible is:
**God's revelation of Himself to humankind
**a tool through which God speaks to His people today
**a record of God's interaction with human history...the supernatural is, therefore, both expected and accepted
**contains divine truths about God that is unknowable apart from revelation
**requires enlightenment of the Holy Spirit for full an accurate comprehension

**The Bible is the work of God from the beginning to the end
**Revelation - the act God uses to communicate Himself and His will to people
Hebrews 1:1-2 : "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe."
**Inspiration - the influence of the Holy Spirit upon the minds of men, which rendered them agents of God for the faultless communication of that revelation
**Illumination - the divine quickening of the human mind, allowing it to understand the truth that has been revealed and communicated

***The Peace of Christ rules where the word of God dwells

***The Word of Christ should be lived - we don't read it for information, but for transformation

***The Word of Christ has the power in and of itself to bear fruit

***Encountering God in His word changes your life - Hebrews 4:12-13 - "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

***The goal of God's word is ultimately a relationship - John 5:39-40 - "You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.