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
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
The God of Your Father
Pastor Mel was back, but with this being Father's Day, he decided to deviate from Colossians and bring us a sermons about Fathers:
Exodus 3:6 - "Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God."
***God has a purpose for every life. We must, therefore, be good stewards of every life God sends our way
***As a father, does you life inspire children to follow your God?
***God pursues His people
**The God of history was in the present, ready to do a work in the next generation
**The God of history is about to do a great work in this day, in this church
***God builds upon His past activity
**Moses stepped out in faith, within the context of who God was
**We must pass our faith to the next generation...we must teach them or they can't follow
Judges 2:10 - "After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel.
***Let's move forward with the faith that reflectts the God of our Fathers
***Are you seeking to pass your faith on so that it doesn't die with you?
Exodus 3:6 - "Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God."
***God has a purpose for every life. We must, therefore, be good stewards of every life God sends our way
***As a father, does you life inspire children to follow your God?
***God pursues His people
**The God of history was in the present, ready to do a work in the next generation
**The God of history is about to do a great work in this day, in this church
***God builds upon His past activity
**Moses stepped out in faith, within the context of who God was
**We must pass our faith to the next generation...we must teach them or they can't follow
Judges 2:10 - "After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel.
***Let's move forward with the faith that reflectts the God of our Fathers
***Are you seeking to pass your faith on so that it doesn't die with you?
Sunday, June 14, 2009
You Can Trust Him
Pastor Mel was away again this week, so our sermon was by Lanny Loe, our Minister of Missions. As noted above, this sermon is titled, 'You Can Trust Him.'
Romans 1:17 - "For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
***God is working in our lives, continually teaching us to take the next step
***It is okay not to understand; it is not okay to stop trusting
Luke 2:48 - 50: "When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."
"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them."
***When the events do not fit into our standard of good and bad, we become anxious
***When difficult days come into our lives, He has been preparing us beforehand for these tragedies
Mark 9:30-32 : "They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise." But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it."
***God knows what you are going to experience and He loves you so much that He tries to prepare you for it
John 8:25-27 : "Who are you?" they asked.
"Just what I have been claiming all along," Jesus replied. "I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world." They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father."
John 16:12 - "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear."
***Jesus wants you to understand - He wants to reveal Himself and His ways to you
***Understanding often occurs with hindsight and the gentle remindings of the Holy Spirit
***You can know Him, but sometimes you can't always find Him
***When your understanding is clouded by tears, grief, and shock, rely on your relationship with God
***When you don't understand....trust
Romans 1:17 - "For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
***God is working in our lives, continually teaching us to take the next step
***It is okay not to understand; it is not okay to stop trusting
Luke 2:48 - 50: "When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."
"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them."
***When the events do not fit into our standard of good and bad, we become anxious
***When difficult days come into our lives, He has been preparing us beforehand for these tragedies
Mark 9:30-32 : "They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise." But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it."
***God knows what you are going to experience and He loves you so much that He tries to prepare you for it
John 8:25-27 : "Who are you?" they asked.
"Just what I have been claiming all along," Jesus replied. "I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world." They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father."
John 16:12 - "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear."
***Jesus wants you to understand - He wants to reveal Himself and His ways to you
***Understanding often occurs with hindsight and the gentle remindings of the Holy Spirit
***You can know Him, but sometimes you can't always find Him
***When your understanding is clouded by tears, grief, and shock, rely on your relationship with God
***When you don't understand....trust
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Are You Living Like Jesus' Disciple?
Pastor Mel was out of town for two weekends in July, so we had the privilege of hearing two of our other pastors' preach on those Sundays. This sermon was by Bo Stevens, our Minister of Discipleship. As noted above, this sermon is titled, 'Are you living like Jesus' Disciple?'
John 13:31-38: "When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.
"My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later."
Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."
Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!"
***The essence of being a disciple is having a desire to follow Jesus
***Jesus' call of discipleship is a call to total abandonment to Him
***Bondservant: voluntarily chosen; obedient no matter what He may ask
***Volunteer: does what suits him
***Jesus does not call us to periodic volunteerism; He calls us to be His servants daily, with nothing held back
***Do we want to follow Christ on our own terms or are we willing to be a bondservant?
John 15:12 - 14: "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command."
***Do you actively love your brothers and sisters as God has loved you?
***The Lord does not want us to just tell the gospel....He wants the world to see Him in you and me
***The world will see the reality of the gospel as we live like disciples and love one another with a love that doesn't exist naturally in this world
John 13:31-38: "When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.
"My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later."
Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."
Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!"
***The essence of being a disciple is having a desire to follow Jesus
***Jesus' call of discipleship is a call to total abandonment to Him
***Bondservant: voluntarily chosen; obedient no matter what He may ask
***Volunteer: does what suits him
***Jesus does not call us to periodic volunteerism; He calls us to be His servants daily, with nothing held back
***Do we want to follow Christ on our own terms or are we willing to be a bondservant?
John 15:12 - 14: "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command."
***Do you actively love your brothers and sisters as God has loved you?
***The Lord does not want us to just tell the gospel....He wants the world to see Him in you and me
***The world will see the reality of the gospel as we live like disciples and love one another with a love that doesn't exist naturally in this world
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Forgiveness in Christ
Colossians 3:13 - "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
***Are you more concerned about your rights than about your relationships?
***If you can't find and give forgiveness, you will never know love
***Love is the motivator and reward for forgiveness
***To forgive is to set a prisoner free and realize the prisoner was you
***Unforgiveness will destroy you, not the other person
Mattnew 18: 21-35 -"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
***Jesus taught the lesson of unlimited forgiveness, then He lived it out before them
Mark 11:25-26 - "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."
Matthew 6:14-15 - "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
***He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass
***Forgiveness does not overlook the deed - it rises above it
***The greater the offense, the more you need to forgive
***If you focus on the person or the deed, you will not be able to forgive
***Look to Christ - He will give you the strength to forgive
***When you are unwilling to forgive, it says more about your relationship with Christ than your relationship with the person
***Whose voice are you listening to?
***Freedom to live is on the other side of forgiveness
***You won't have abundant life in Christ until you forgive everyone who has sinned against you, whether you want to or not
***Are you more concerned about your rights than about your relationships?
***If you can't find and give forgiveness, you will never know love
***Love is the motivator and reward for forgiveness
***To forgive is to set a prisoner free and realize the prisoner was you
***Unforgiveness will destroy you, not the other person
Mattnew 18: 21-35 -"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
***Jesus taught the lesson of unlimited forgiveness, then He lived it out before them
Mark 11:25-26 - "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."
Matthew 6:14-15 - "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
***He that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass
***Forgiveness does not overlook the deed - it rises above it
***The greater the offense, the more you need to forgive
***If you focus on the person or the deed, you will not be able to forgive
***Look to Christ - He will give you the strength to forgive
***When you are unwilling to forgive, it says more about your relationship with Christ than your relationship with the person
***Whose voice are you listening to?
***Freedom to live is on the other side of forgiveness
***You won't have abundant life in Christ until you forgive everyone who has sinned against you, whether you want to or not
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Loving Others in Christ
Colossians 3:12-17 - "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 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's love is best expressed in the family of God
***When you think on things below, you feed your sinful nature; when you think on things above, where Christ is, you feed your soul
***Believers are chosen by God, separated unto Him and deeply loved
***You are children of God by the will of God, so start living like it!
***Put on the new life - make choices that reflect your new nature
(tender mercies..heart of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering, bearing with one another, forgiving one another, love one another)
***Let the new life work in you
***Let the peace of God rule (reign, have dominion) - when the peace of God rules, we will be unified
***Let the word of Christ dwell in you and transform you
John 13:3-5 - "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him."
***To be confident in your salvation give you the freedom to serve
John 3:21 - "After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."
***Judas' betrayal....Jesus washed his betrayer's feet adn it troubled him...He loved even his enemy
John 13:34 - "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
***Don't wait for someone else to serve you....look for ways to serve others
***When you begin to love, you will find that it comes back to you
***We love the people that love us
***Are you loving one another as Christ has loved you?
***Love is not just words....it is action. Love will be expressed....it must be expressed
***Love in action is the only proof we've been born into the family of God
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 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's love is best expressed in the family of God
***When you think on things below, you feed your sinful nature; when you think on things above, where Christ is, you feed your soul
***Believers are chosen by God, separated unto Him and deeply loved
***You are children of God by the will of God, so start living like it!
***Put on the new life - make choices that reflect your new nature
(tender mercies..heart of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering, bearing with one another, forgiving one another, love one another)
***Let the new life work in you
***Let the peace of God rule (reign, have dominion) - when the peace of God rules, we will be unified
***Let the word of Christ dwell in you and transform you
John 13:3-5 - "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him."
***To be confident in your salvation give you the freedom to serve
John 3:21 - "After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."
***Judas' betrayal....Jesus washed his betrayer's feet adn it troubled him...He loved even his enemy
John 13:34 - "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
***Don't wait for someone else to serve you....look for ways to serve others
***When you begin to love, you will find that it comes back to you
***We love the people that love us
***Are you loving one another as Christ has loved you?
***Love is not just words....it is action. Love will be expressed....it must be expressed
***Love in action is the only proof we've been born into the family of God
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