Mar 17, 2024
Dearly Beloved
Colossians 4:7-18 In the closing verses of his letter to the Colossian believers, Paul mentioned ten individuals whom he considered important to his ministry.  Commending the Messengers Sent to Colossae:
  • Tychicus
  • Onesimus
Sharing Greetings of Co-Workers in Rome:
  • Aristarchus
  • John Mark
  • Jesus Justus
  • Epaphras
  • Luke
  • Demas
Sending Greetings to Church Leaders Receiving His Letter:
  • Nympha (or Nymphas)
  • Archippus
Paul’s closing comments remind us that we do not travel the journey of faith alone.  We are “surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses” (Heb. 12:1). Who are the people that have left their “spiritual fingerprint” upon our lives and church?  They deserve to be remembered and appreciated.  We should learn from their example as they lead us to follow Jesus more closely. What impact are we making on other people’s spiritual walk?
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  • Mar 17, 2024Dearly Beloved
    Mar 17, 2024
    Dearly Beloved
    Colossians 4:7-18 In the closing verses of his letter to the Colossian believers, Paul mentioned ten individuals whom he considered important to his ministry.  Commending the Messengers Sent to Colossae:
    • Tychicus
    • Onesimus
    Sharing Greetings of Co-Workers in Rome:
    • Aristarchus
    • John Mark
    • Jesus Justus
    • Epaphras
    • Luke
    • Demas
    Sending Greetings to Church Leaders Receiving His Letter:
    • Nympha (or Nymphas)
    • Archippus
    Paul’s closing comments remind us that we do not travel the journey of faith alone.  We are “surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses” (Heb. 12:1). Who are the people that have left their “spiritual fingerprint” upon our lives and church?  They deserve to be remembered and appreciated.  We should learn from their example as they lead us to follow Jesus more closely. What impact are we making on other people’s spiritual walk?
  • Mar 10, 2024The Call to Communicate
    Mar 10, 2024
    The Call to Communicate
    Colossians 4:2-6 As the Apostle Paul begins to wrap up his letter to the Colossian Christians, he returns to the topic of prayer.  He shares how important communication with God is to also being effective communicators of the gospel message. How to Pray: (v. 2)
    • Faithfully
    • Watchfully
    • Thankfully
    What to Pray:
    • Pray for open doors for ministry and witness. (v. 3)
    • Pray to be able to proclaim Christ clearly. (v. 4)
    • Pray for right actions consistent with your words. (v. 5)
    • Pray to be able to witness with wisdom and grace. (v. 6)
     
  • Mar 3, 2024Our Closest Relationships
    Mar 3, 2024
    Our Closest Relationships
    Colossians 3:18-4:1 In the early part of chapter 3, the Apostle Paul helped the believers in Colossae understand the importance of letting the character of Jesus Christ grow in their own lives while separating themselves from the ways of the world.  Knowing that a person’s character is developed and revealed through relationships, he gave them practical instructions for how to conduct themselves with those closest to them, those in their own households.
    • Wives & Husbands  (3:18-19)
    • Children & Parents  (3:20-21)
    • Slaves & Masters (3:22-4:1)
  • Feb 25, 2024Dressing for Success
    Feb 25, 2024
    Dressing for Success
    Colossians 3:12-17 - Clothe yourself with:
    • Compassion
    • Kindness
    • Humility
    • Gentleness
    • Patience
    • Forgiveness
    Bind them all together with LOVE!
  • Feb 18, 2024Undressing for Success
    Feb 18, 2024
    Undressing for Success
    In the third chapter of Colossians, the Apostle Paul gives instructions for successful Christian living—meaning a life that pleases and brings glory to God.  Using the illustration of clothing, he gives examples of what we need to “take off” and what we need to “put on.”  We will first give attention to the evil desires, attitudes and actions that need to be removed from our lives.
    • Immorality & Impurity
    • Lust & Evil Desires
    • Greed
    • Anger & Rage
    • Malice
    • Slander
    • Filthy Language
    • Lying
    • Prejudice
  • Feb 11, 2024Principles to Stunt Church Growth
    Feb 11, 2024
    Principles to Stunt Church Growth
    • Pattern the church after the standards and philosophies of the world.
    • Present Christ as less than He is.
    • Promote distracting doctrines.
    • Practice legalism.
  • Feb 4, 2024Measures of Growth
    Feb 4, 2024
    Measures of Growth
    The Apostle Paul had great faith that his letter recipients in Colossae were true believers, having “received Jesus Christ as Lord.”  But then he went on to tell them how important it was for them to “continue to live in him,” descriptive of the discipleship process that brings a Christian to maturity.  Here’s how Paul defined Christian growth:
    • “Rooted” in Christ to grow deeper.
    • “Built Up” in Christ to grow higher.
    • “Strengthened” in the faith to be more effective.
    • “Overflowing” in thankfulness to grow wider.
  • Jan 28, 2024Paul’s Strange Aspirations
    Jan 28, 2024
    Paul’s Strange Aspirations
    Colossians 1:23b-2:5 Most people aspire to things like greatness, fame, wealth or power.  Or perhaps they desire above all to live a life of comfort and ease, being served by others.  But in his letter to the believers in Colossae, the Apostle Paul revealed some of his strange aspirations.
    • Paul aspired to serve the cause of the gospel.  (1:23a, 25)
    • Paul aspired to suffer for his brothers and sisters in Christ.  (1:24)
    • Paul aspired to struggle for the spiritual maturity of even those he had never met.  (1:29-2:1)
    • Paul aspired to depend fully on God’s strength.  (1:29)
  • Jan 21, 2024Christ Supreme!
    Jan 21, 2024
    Christ Supreme!
    Colossians 1:15-23 Christians often hold to inaccurate, or woefully incomplete, images of Jesus Christ.  This has been true throughout the ages, even from the 1st century. As he wrote to the early believers in Colossae, the Apostle Paul felt it was important to challenge some of their misconceptions about Jesus the Messiah, and to exalt Him for who He really was … and IS! 
    • Jesus is One with God. (v.15)
    • Jesus is the Creator. (v.16)
    • Jesus is the Sustainer. (v.17)
    • Jesus is the Redeemer & Reconciler. (vv.18-23)
  • Jan 14, 2024How to Pray for Each Other
    Jan 14, 2024
    How to Pray for Each Other
    Colossians 1:1-14 The Apostle Paul wrote the letter of Colossians around 60 AD while he was imprisoned in Rome, making it one of his “Prison Epistles.”  As far as we know, he did not plant the church in the small town of Colossae, nor had he ever visited there—but he wrote to them as brothers and sisters in Christ who mattered deeply to the Lord and himself.  Paul’s truths about spiritual growth and the supremacy of Christ still speak to us today.  From the opening passage, we can learn valuable lessons about how to properly pray for one another.
    • Pray for each other with thanksgiving.
    • Pray for each other’s spiritual health and growth.
    • Pray for each other’s fruitfulness.
    • Pray for each other’s strength and endurance.
    • Pray that together we would grow in appreciation for the One who has “qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.”