December 10, 2017; Sunday Morning

JOY TO THE WORLD

Luke 2:9-14

  

Matthew     Presents Jesus Christ as King of Kings

                 King must have a lineage

                 

Mark          Presents Jesus as a Servant

                 Not important where a servant comes from

                 No lineage

Luke           Presents Jesus as the Son of Man

                 Identify with man

                 Die for man

                 Redeem man

                 Every man has a family tree and lineage

                 

John          Presents Jesus as God himself

                 God has no family tree, has no lineage

                 

Matthew traces Jesus all the way back to Abraham

         Luke traces Jesus all the way back to the first Adam

         John takes Him all the way back to the beginning was the                                       word and the word was with God and the word was God

As the bells begin to ring…I thought about 3 things where there is great joy…

1…JOY TO A SOVEREIGN GOD WHO WAS TOUCHED BY THIS WORLD

More blessed to give than to receive

There’s something about being a giver

·       Brings joy to your own heart

·       Expression of love for someone 

Joy in the heart of a perfect, holy, righteous God

·       He gave His son for sinners like us today

·       He gave his son for our sin

I believe it thrilled the heart of God for Christmas to come because it showed man one more time, the heart of God, I love you, I love you, I love you!

Unconditional love

Everlasting love

John 3:16

2…THERE’S JOY TO A SINNER THAT’S BEEN TRAPPED AND BEATEN DOWN BY THIS WORLD

One day, Somebody told you about Jesus

·       Jesus Came

·       Jesus Lived

·       Jesus Died

·       Jesus Rose again

·       Offered salvation

You ...

• Did what God said
• Believed what God said
• Received what God had

• Your sins rolled away
• God released you from your past
• Wrote your name in the Lambs Book of Life

What was Jesus destined for?

·       Live a sinless life

·       Pray tremendous prayers

·       Miracles and healing

·       Go to the Cross

·       Have a painful death

·       Go by the cemetery

·       But He will rise again

·       So that you and I may have eternal life

We’re all tarnished and trapped

·       Tried to do better

·       Get a new lease on life

·       Never works

Joy to the world, The Lord is come

Better way to live

Better way to die

3…THERE’S JOY TO EVERY CHILD OF GOD WHO’S TROUBLED BY THIS WORLD—longing for the day that we will replace this world

You know why we celebrate Christmas?

·       That baby is our ticket out of here

·       One day we’ll leave our troubles behind

·       One day we’ll leave our sorrows behind

§  Heartaches

§  Illness

§  Tears

Joy to the world

Joy to the world

Jesus cares about you

December 6, 2017; Wednesday Night

Final Comments To Faithful Christians!

Colossians 4:7-18

As we come to the close of our study of the book of Colossians the apostle Paul does not offer pithy epitaphs, or catchy cliches.  He offers his own, personal final comments to a group of faithful Christians.  If the book of Colossians were a journal, these verses would constitute the last page.  This would be the final entry before the book was closed, the latchet clasped, and laid upon a shelf.

1…The WALK that DEFINES Our Life!

Verse 5

deals with our walk, or our behavior as Christians.  We are to:

A…There is a Responsibility to be Exercised!

The "walk" of which Paul speaks is directed in a very specific way, to a very specific group. 

The responsibility spoken of here is not just a responsibility to the Lord, but to the lost.  We not only have a responsibility to those that are saved, but to those that are unsaved.

We are to live in light of the fact that what we do, and how we do it makes an impact on an unsaved person.  What we say, and how we say it cast a great impression on those who do not know the Lord Jesus.

B…There is an Opportunity to be Maximized!

Verse 5 not only includes a responsibility we are to exercise, but an opportunity we are to maximize.  We maximize every God-given opportunity by:  “...redeeming the time."

In modern terminology, when one redeems the time, we would say, 'they are making the most of it.'  The idea is that as Christians we are to take advantage of every opportunity that God places in front of us. 

2…The TALK that DESCRIBES Our Life!

Much of the Christian life is not only measured in how we walk, but in how we talk.  In fact, what we say does much to describe the type of life that we live.  Jesus said, in Matthew 12:34,  

"...out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh."

Verse 6

The word "grace" speaks of "pleasantness, attractiveness, or charm." The believers' interaction with others is to be based upon pleasant speech.  This not only includes what we say, but how we say it.  We are never to speak with the motive to tear someone down, but we should seek to build someone up. 

B…The Purpose of Graceful Reaction!

Our speech often identifies where we are from, it also identifies who we are.  It is an index of ones character.  One's vocabulary is often an indication of one's spirituality.  Therefore, one's interaction, and reaction carries a divine purpose, mentioned in the last part of verse 6:

"Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."

If you would allow me to paraphrase the Apostle Paul's words, he seems to say:

"It all comes down to this one thing, in a nutshell. You need to know what to say, and how to say it to every individual."

3…The CHALK that DIRECTS Our Life!

As we come to the final section of this letter, it is almost as if the apostle Paul takes a piece of chalk and draws out a guide, and a goal to direct our lives as believers.  He does that reminding us of:

A…The Expectation of a Faithful Life!

Verse 12 describes what God expects from us as His people.

"...that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God."

B…The Explanation of a Fruitful Life!

Verses 7-18

Tychicus:        Committed One

Onesimus:       Converted One  

Aristarchus

Marcus                        These 3 were the Comforted Ones

Justus

Epaphras:        Crowned One

Luke                Concerned One

Nymphas         Congratulated One

Archippus:      Challenged One

November 26, 2017 , Sunday Morning

ONE TIME A WEEK RELIGION

Colossians 3:16-25

  

I want to talk to you about the tragedy of Sunday morning religion. Now, this passage of Scripture that I've just read to you talks about praising the Lord, and it talks about our communal—our common—praise, in verse 16, where it says: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Colossians 3:16).

Now, that's what we have done as we have worshiped the Lord here today. But, the real proof of our worship is not primarily here today on Sunday, but it is tomorrow morning. I want you to notice the bridge that verse 17 makes here:

"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed..." Now, Paul's been talking about our words up here in verse 16. And now, he begins to talk about our deeds, in verse 17: "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him" (Colossians 3:17).

Again, I want to say that the curse of 20th-century Christianity is Sunday morning religion. Somebody wrote these words: "They're praising God on Sunday; they'll be all right on Monday—it's just a little habit they've acquired."

So, let's look at this list here: Verse 18—

Wives, tomorrow morning, when you submit to your husband, you'll be worshipping the Lord—thank God that you can submit to him.

Husbands, tomorrow, when you love your wives—they are not the bitter half, but the better half—you will be worshipping God—give God thanks for that.

Children, tomorrow morning, when you obey your parents in all things, and give God thanks for it, you will be worshipping the Lord.

Fathers—verse 21—when you deal with your children with such understanding and tenderness that you encourage them, rather than discourage them, you'll be worshipping the Lord.

Employees, when you go to your job tomorrow, and you work for your boss as if he were Jesus Christ—not being a clock-watcher—then you will be worshipping the Lord, and give God thanks for it (Colossians 3:18-22).

To me, as a Christian, there is no ground that is not holy ground and no time that is not sacred time. 

A Christian is naturally supernatural and supernaturally natural. And, every place is holy ground, and every day is spiritual. 

Now for the practical...

Anything that I do tomorrow, I have to ask it to pass three tests, and all of these have to deal with the name of the Lord Jesus. And, if it will not pass these three tests, then I cannot do it. I have no business doing it. It is wrong for me.

1…TEST ONE: IS IT CONSISTENT WITH THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST?

The name of Jesus has a meaning to it—it speaks of the character of Jesus. It literally means, "Jehovah saves." And so, I'm to do something in the name of Jehovah saves.

There'll be a lot of things that I can't find anything in the Bible about which has been written. I can't find anything in the Bible, for example, that says,

·       Thou shalt not drive through a school zone at 60 miles an hour." It's just    not in here.

·       I can't find anything here in the Bible that says, "Thou shalt not smoke      pot."

·       I don't find anything in the Bible that says not to go to an X-rated movie.

·       I don't even find anything in the Bible that says I should not look at          dirty pictures.

I can find some principles, but I cannot find those things spelled out.

Christianity is not a rulebook religion; the Bible is not, primarily, a list of dos and don'ts. The Bible is not a book of minute laws; the Bible is a book of great principles. 

The things I do tomorrow, I must ask myself, "Does this fit with the character of Jesus?" What this literally means is that, when you do everything in the name of Jesus, don't do anything to which Jesus couldn't sign his name. 

2…TEST TWO: CAN IT BE DONE IN THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST?

Not only does the name Jesaus stand for character, it also stands for authority. When a person puts his name on something, he's actually putting his authority behind it.

3…TEST THREE: WILL WHAT I DO RESULT IN GLORY TO JESUS?

We're to do everything we do in the name of Jesus. And so, here's the third test that I can put to anything that I can do—or should do: Will it bring glory to Jesus? Can I do it in His name so that it will it bring Him glory? Now, if it brings Him glory, then I can do it. If it doesn't bring Him glory, then I can't do it.

November 12, 2017, Sunday Morning

Dressed For Success  

Colossians 3:5-13

1…We Must PUT OFF the Corruption of the Sinful Man!

Paul uses rather strong language in exhorting us to put off the corruption of the sinful man.  He begins verse 5 by saying,

"Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth..."

The word "mortify" means, "to put to death."  Or, in other words, Paul is literally saying "Kill it!"  In putting off this corruption of our sin nature there are two steps which must be taken.  First, there is:

A…A Reminder of Sinful Behavior!

verse 5:

"..fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry."

• Sins of immorality: "fornication, uncleanness."  It takes in the whole spectrum of immoral sexual relationships, such as fornication, adultery, homosexuality, and incest.  This kind of behavior can only be expected from one who is a sinner.

• Sins of impurity:  "inordinate affection, evil concupiscence.  These words are better rendered "unnatural affection, and evil desire."  This speaks of moral indecency, filth and lust.  

• Sins of idolatry: "covetousness.  The word "covetousness" comes from two words.  One is the word "desire;" and, the other is the word "have more."  Thus, put together, the word covetousness" literally means, "the desire to have more."Idolatry occurs when a person gives his deepest loyalty to some power, or force other than God.  

Luke 12: 15:

"Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."

B…A Removal of Shameful Behavior!

In verse 8-9, twice we are instructed to "put off" certain things.  That is, these matters are to have no place in our lives, and are to removed.  What type of shameful behavior is to be removed from our lives?  

1)...First, we are to remove inward hostility.  It is characterized as,

"...anger, wrath, malice..."

In Matthew 5: 22, Jesus equated anger with murder.

2)...We are to remove outward hypocrisy.  The word "blasphemy" is a word which had a two-fold meaning.  The word was often associated with the word 'slander.'  

• Whenever the speech was directed toward another person, it was considered slander.  

• Whenever the speech was directed toward God, it was considered blasphemy.

3)...In verse 9, we are exhorted to:  "Lie not one to another..."

The word was used to describe an actor who wore a mask, playing the part of someone else.  It speaks of a pretense, or a facade.

Falsehood, misrepresentations, suspicion and partisanship separate and cause disunity in a church.

2…We Must PUT ON the Character of the Godly Man!

Every Christian is a child of the king. He is a prince of heaven, and Paul makes the point that we ought to talk like it, think like it, act like it and live like it. 

A…The Source of Godly Character!

Verses 10-11 Paul reminds us from whence godly character originates and begins.  After we change our spiritual clothes, and put off the old man, we are to:

"...put on the new man , which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 

The old man is the old nature of sin.  The new man is the new nature of Christ.  

R. H. Lenski writes:

"The old man is not converted, he cannot be; he is not renewed, he will not be.  He can only be replaced by the new man!" 

B…The Course of Godly Character!

Those who have been saved by the grace of God, and have partaken of the divine gift are those whose old life has been put to death, and whose new life has been brought to life, and raised with Christ.  It is more than a changing of spiritual apparel, it is a changing of spiritual attitudes, actions and appetites.

Verse 12

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved...

• bowels of mercies
• kindness
• humbleness of mind
• meekness
• longsuffering

Verse 13, Paul speaks of a generous virtue to be expressed.

"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any..."

One of the saddest ways to go through life is to hold, and harbor resentment in one's heart.  After everything that God, in Christ, has forgiven us of we should be eager to share that forgiveness with those who have mistreated, and offended us.  

November 5, 2017, Sunday Morning

MOVING DAY IN YOUR LIFE

Colossians 2:16-23

3 Religious Institutions

• Heaven's Gate...Marshall Applewhite
• Branch Davidians...David Koresch
• People's Temple...Jim Jones

Paul reminds us of 3 major things as we move thru life...

1…Let Nothing Distract Your Faith!

They are admonished to let nothing distract their faith.  

A…The Religious Observances of that Day!

Verse 16.

They were being persuaded to believe that in order to remain in right relationship with God then they were to hold to the religious rites, rituals, routines and observances of that day.

B…The Religious Order for this Day!

Verse 17 

All of the religious observances of the past served as but a "shadow of things to come."  A shadow does not exist in and of itself.  It is caused by a material object or person.  

All of the religious observances of the old covenant simply shadowed the main object:  the Lord Jesus Christ.  

2…Let Nothing Disqualify Your Faith!

Verse 18

The word "beguile" is better rendered, "to rob or disqualify."  It is an athletic word that was used to speak of a judgment against an athlete, ruling that he could not compete, or was ineligible to win the prize.

Paul is admonishing these believers, as well as us, not to let anything disqualify, rob, or make us ineligible to receive everything that God has made available to us.  He exposes two things that were threatening to disqualify these saints.  First:

A…He Speaks of a False Experience!

Verse 18 

There were many invading the Colossian church claiming to have tapped into the unseen world.  

An old wise Christian farmer once said,

"A man on his way somewhere doesn't have time to stop and throw rocks at every dog that barks!"

The danger that faced these believers were that they were being deterred from their walk with Christ by many 'barking dogs.'  

B…He Speaks of a Foolish Expectation!

Verse 18

1.  The false experiences that many claimed to have brought a foolish expectation.  They were expected to find something that could only be found in Christ.  In the latter part of verse 18, Paul explains that these false experiences only prove to:

"...vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind."

The point is reaffirmed that Christ is the Head.  Jesus is to us, as believers, what the head is to our bodies.  

3…Let Nothing Discourage Your Faith!

Verse 20, we are immediately introduced to one of the most blessed truths of scripture.  We are reminded that, as believers, we are:

"...dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world..."

A…We are Free from the Behavior of this World!

The moment we were saved we died with Jesus on the cross.  Our past was cancelled, our present was confirmed and our future was completed.  

At the moment we died with Christ, at salvation, we were freed from the behavior of this world.  We were released from the bondage to the system of this world.  

B…We are Free from the Burden of this World!

When we were saved, we died with Christ.  When we died with Christ we were freed from our obligation to the system of this world.  When we died with Him, His power became our strength, His righteousness became our salvation, and His grace became our sustenance.

 Many believers look at the Christian life as a list of "Do's and Don't's.' The Christian life is not a negative, but a positive.  It is not based upon what we cannot do, but what we can do, because of the person and work of Christ.  It is a life where religion has moved out and Jesus has moved in!