DISTINGUISHING TRUTH FROM DECEIT

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "DISTINGUISHING TRUTH FROM DECEIT"

Transcription

1 Sunday Schl- May 9, 2010 DISTINGUISHING TRUTH FROM DECEIT Unifying Tpic: AN ESTABLISHED COMMUNITY Lessn Text I. Paul s Struggle Fr The Clssians (Clssians 2:1-3) II. Stand Firm In Christ (Clssians 2:4-7) III. Fullness In Christ Grwth (Clssians 2:8-10) The Main Thught: Beware lest any man spil yu thrugh philsphy and vain deceit, after the traditin f men, after the rudiments f the wrld, and nt after Christ. (Clssians 2:8, KJV). Unifying Principle: Peple are deceived by all kinds f philsphies and human traditins that lead them away frm the hidden treasures f knwledge and wisdm. Where can we find thse hidden treasures? Paul tells the Clssians that knwledge and wisdm are in Christ Jesus and in the lives f thse wh are grwing in Christ. Lessn Aim: T help students understand that they have everything they need in Christ. Life aim: T teach Christian t live full in Christ, knwing that He is the Sn f Gd wh cmpletely gives us all we need fr salvatin and fr blessings in this life and in heaven. 2:1 Fr I wuld that ye knew what great cnflict I have fr yu, and fr them at Ladicea, and fr as many as have nt seen my face in the flesh; 2:2 That their hearts might be cmfrted, being knit tgether in lve, and unt all riches f the full assurance f understanding, t the acknwledgement f the mystery f Gd, and f the Father, and f Christ; 2:3 In whm are hid all the treasures f wisdm and knwledge. 2:4 And this I say, lest any man shuld beguile yu with enticing wrds. 2:5 Fr thugh I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with yu in the spirit, jying and behlding yur rder, and the stedfastness f yur faith in Christ. 2:6 As ye have therefre received Christ Jesus the Lrd, s walk ye in him: 2:7 Rted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abunding therein with thanksgiving. 2:8 Beware lest any man spil yu thrugh philsphy and vain deceit, after the traditin f men, after the rudiments f the wrld, and nt after Christ. 2:9 Fr in him dwelleth all the fulness f the Gdhead bdily. 2:10 And ye are cmplete in him, which is the head f all principality and pwer. HISTORY: INTRODUCTION (Chapter 1:23-29) i The little bk f Clssians (nly fur chapters) was written by the Apstle Paul t a grup f believers in a city called Clsse. Clsse was nt a city f tremendus imprtance, but it had sme significance as ne in a triad f cities (Ladicea, Hieraplis, and Clsse) in the Lycus Valley. The Apstle Paul wrte t this little church which had been funded and initially pastred by a man named Epaphras, because they were underging sme prblems. They were being cnfrnted by men teaching false dctrine abut the Persn f the Lrd Jesus Christ. S, the Apstle Paul wrte this letter t straighten them ut. 1:23 If ye cntinue in the faith grunded and settled, and be nt mved away frm the hpe f the gspel, which ye have heard, and which was preached t every creature which is under heaven; ii Paul says "IF INDEED YOU CONTINUE..." Once saved (recnciled t Gd), we can still be lst! 1. What abut "the security f the believer?" 1) Thugh the Bible des teach the security f the BELIEVER 2) It als teaches the insecurity f the UNBELIEVER 3) And it teaches that a BELIEVER, if nt diligent, can becme an UNBELIEVER! (He 3:12-15; 16-4:2,11) 2. And s, Paul emphasizes that we must "cntinue in the faith", which invlves: a. Being "grunded and steadfast" (thus the need fr fllw-up) b. "nt mved away frm the hpe f the gspel," which can ccur thrugh: 1) Errr r false dctrine (2Pet. 3:17). 2) Temptatins t sin (2Pet. 2:20-22). 3) Trials and hardships in life (Rev. 2:10).

2 wheref I Paul am made a minister; Nw, Paul talks abut his surce. Paul ften defended his right t speak fr Gd. Every time he said, "I am an Apstle," he was saying, "I am a sent ne frm Gd." At the end f Clssians 1:23 he says, "...I, Paul, am made a minister." In ther wrds, he didn't chse t becme a minister, Gd made him a minister. That fact gave him credibility and punch in speaking t the Clssians. When Paul referred t his ministry, he was defending his right t speak fr Gd--t establish his authrity. Paul wanted the peple t hear him as the spkesman fr Gd--nt as a self-styled, self-appinted, nn-credentialed teacher like s many that existed in the wrld. S, he repeatedly accredited his ministry. Clssians 1:24-29 is simply a detailed lk at Paul's ministry. In these verses, Paul presents eight different aspects f the ministry f a servant f Gd--eight different aspects that shuld characterize the life f anybdy wh serves the Lrd Jesus Christ, whether it's teaching, preaching, r ministering in any capacity within the framewrk f Christianity. 1:24 Nw I rejice in what was suffered fr yu, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard t Christ's afflictins, fr the sake f his bdy, which is the church (NIV). Paul was in prisn when this Epistle was written, being a minister f the gspel f Christ, was nt ashamed f his imprisnment, but was willing t rejice in his suffering t fulfill his Gd given task. As we serve the Lrd Jesus Christ with the recgnitin that Gd has called us, what kind f attitude shuld we have? What spirit shuld we have? Paul answers this in the first three wrds f verse 24: "Nw I rejice..." What's the spirit f the ministry? Jy. The spirit f the ministry is jy. Whatever ministry yu have been given is t be enjyed. He s simply saying that suffering is unavidable in bringing the Gd News f Christ t the wrld. When we suffer, Christ feels it with us. But this suffering can be endured because it changes lives and brings peple int Gd s kingdm. There are tw needs f the church: 1. The need fr a minister wh will tirelessly labr fr the church, that is, fr the bdy f Christ. 2. The need fr believers wh will tirelessly labr fr the church, that is, fr the bdy f Christ. The church needs a minister (servant) wh will willingly suffer fr thers. V24 Nt nly was Paul lking t heaven fr cmfrt, but he realized that while he was n this earth, ding the wrk f the ministry fr the sake f peple like the Clssians, he was filling up that which is lacking in Christ's afflictins. The message teaches that the minister f Gd actually cmpletes the suffering f Christ. When Christ was upn the earth, He lved the church and gave Himself fr it; therefre, He pured ut His heart and life fr the church, that is, fr believers. Christ ministered, served, wrked, labred, and did it all labriusly. Christ bre whatever was necessary in rder t build the church. And in s ding He left the pattern fr all thse wh wuld fllw after Him. Serving the church in this wrld is nt easy. The believer knws that withut Christ men are lst and dmed t judgment. Therefre he suffers whatever burden and pain necessary t reach and grw peple. S Christ's afflictins are nt yet cmplete. His bdy will still suffer until the day that we are caught up t be with Him fr eternity. Part f the reasn that Paul rejiced was because he was cunted wrthy t share in the sufferings f Christ. Accrding t verse 24, Paul endured his suffering fr the sake f the church--t win peple t Christ and then t mature them in Christ. And he certainly paid a price. What benefit d peple get frm ministers? There is much benefit t having the Wrd f Gd presented t us, having the cmplete Wrd preached t us. 1:25 Wheref I am made a minister, accrding t the dispensatin f Gd which is given t me fr yu, t fulfil the wrd f Gd; The church needs a minister wh has been chsen by Gd t prclaim the Wrd f Gd. V25 Paul was made a minister by Gd. He was nt in it because: He thught it was a gd prfessin t enter. Sme friends thught he wuld make a gd minister. He had the natural talents fr the ministry What an enrmus call and respnsibility, yet it cmes frm Gd; therefre, it must be fulfilled by Gd. Paul was chsen t carry ut, minister the Wrd f Gd, that is, t make the Wrd f Gd fully knwn. 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid frm ages and frm generatins, but nw is made manifest t his saints: 27 T whm Gd wuld make knwn what is the riches f the glry f this mystery amng the Gentiles; which is Christ in yu, the hpe f glry (NIV). The church needs a minister wh will share the great mystery f Gd the glrius message f "Christ in yu, the hpe f glry."v26-27 What des this mean? Yu see the false teachers in the Clssian church believed spiritual perfectin was a secret and hidden plan that nly a few privileged peple wuld discver. Their secret plan was meant t be exclusive. Hwever, Paul calls Gd s plan "the mystery", a secret, nt in the sense that nly a few wuld understand, but because it was hidden until Christ came. Remember that the wrd "mystery" means secret, sme

3 secret that Gd was nt able t reveal t the wrld until man had been prepared t receive it. " nw made manifest t His saints." This is tw-fld, tw parts t its revelatin: First, the mystery is that Christ actually will live within the hearts and lives f the believer. The Hly Spirit is the persnal presence f Christ. Secnd, the mystery f Gd is that Christ will live within any persn, n matter wh they are Gd is n respecter f persns. Wh culd have imagined that Gd s secret plan was t have His Sn Jesus Christ, live in the hearts f all wh believed in Him? Christ was made knwn t and dwells in the Gentiles; that is, it is nt limited by racial r natinal lines. The critical fact is that it is nw revealed: it cannt nly be knwn, but knwn by many persns. When Gd sent His Sn Jesus Christ int the wrld t die fr man, Gd shwed the wrld that He lves every persn equally. He des nt favr anyne nt ne persn much less a class r natin f peple. Every persn can nw apprach Gd and becme acceptable t Him thrugh His Sn, Jesus Christ, the hpe f glry. Jesus Christ is the mystery f Gd and it is Jesus Christ that reveals Gd t men. When peple lk at Jesus Christ, they see Gd. When peple cme t knw Jesus Christ, they cme t knw Gd persnally. Once a persn appraches Gd thrugh Jesus Christ Gd places His Spirit within the persn s heart. 1:28 Whm we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdm; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: The church needs a minister wh will preach Christ and will warn and teach every man. V28 The minister is t preach Christ. Fr this declares the very ppsite f what man has always dne. Man has always prclaimed principles, ideas, theries, psitins, rules, cdes, mrals, laws, philsphies, institutins, and religins. This is nt the minister s prclamatin. He is t preach a Persn, nt things, n matter hw gd they may be. The minister is t warn every man. Man must be warned: he cannt enter glry unless Christ is in him. N man is perfect; n man has enugh righteusness t make himself acceptable t Gd. Man cannt earn r d enugh righteusness t becme perfect. Man s nly hpe is Christ, fr Christ alne is righteusness; Christ alne is perfect. Man must be warned. The minister is t teach every man. It is nt enugh t warn men. Once they respnd t the warning by inviting Christ int their hearts, they have t be taught. They need t learn hw t live ut the great teachings f Christ. The minister is t teach in all wisdm 1:29 Whereunt I als labur, striving accrding t his wrking, which wrketh in me mightily. The minister is t labr and labr t present every persn perfect in Christ Jesus. (Eph.4:12-16) The church needs a minister wh will labr and wrk strive labriusly, depending upn Christ fr energy. The wrd "labr" (kpia) means t til and t struggle in labr and wrk t the pint f exhaustin, fatigue, and pain. It is a picture f an athlete struggling, agnizing, and pushing himself well beynd his capacity in rder t achieve his bjective. The wrd "wrking" (energeia) means energy and efficiency, and is nly used f superhuman pwer (Wuest). In this case, it is the pwer f Christ! When the minister has gne as far as he can, Christ steps in and infuses energy and pwer int his bdy an energy and pwer that wrks in him mightily. The nly way t experience this physical energy and pwer f Christ is t use all f yur wn strength; being cmpletely empty. Paul depended upn Gd in his labrs! He realized that withut Gd he was nthing, and culd d nthing wrth lasting. S he always lked t Gd fr help in accmplishing his gal. If we will view urselves as Paul viewed himself, as a servant and steward, cnsider yur suffering fr yur brethren a great privilege and surce f jy, then we will be cnvinced that we gladly devte urselves t the same gal Paul had! iii As we cmpleted chapter ne f the bk f Clssians, verses 23-29, we heard Paul talking abut hw he'd been made a minister f the gspel, and hw he'd made sure that he was a beneficial ne: a minister wh prclaimed Jesus t them, admnished them abut sin, and taught them the full Wrd f Gd. He knew that it was nly by presenting the whle cunsel f Gd that he culd knw they wuld be presented as cmplete in Christ. And it was because f this that Paul wrked s hard, labring and striving. Clssians 2:1-3 Paul s Struggle Fr The Clssians 2:1 Hw Great A Struggle We have cvered the need fr a minister wh will tirelessly labr fr the church, that is, fr the bdy f Christ. Nw we will cver the secnd need: The need fr believers wh will tirelessly labr fr the church, that is, fr the bdy f Christ; wh are cnsistently grwing (a mature believer) in the Lrd. One f the great tragedies f

4 tday s sciety is the lack f cnsistency. Few peple are cnsistent in their daily walk with the Lrd. It has becme a struggle. When Paul talks abut what a great struggle, Cl. 1:29-2:1 g hand in hand. 1:29 Fr this I labr [unt weariness], striving with all the superhuman energy which He s mightily enkindles and wrks within me. 2:1 FOR I want yu t knw hw great is my slicitude fr yu [hw severe an inward struggle I am engaged in fr yu] and fr thse [believers] at Ladicea, and fr all wh [like yurselves] have never seen my face and knwn me persnally (AMP). Remember Paul had never seen the Clssian church persnally; he was nt the minister n the field, Epaphras was. Paul als wanted this letter passed n t the Ladicean church and all thers, and he was cunting n ties f lve t bring the churches tgether t stand against this heresy, and t encurage each ther t remain true t Gd s plan f salvatin in Christ. He did nt nly write a letter, he labred in prayer. POINT: This says smething f enrmus imprtance: ministers are t wrestle in prayer fr believers and churches all ver the wrld. In fact, churches can be mature in the Lrd nly as the ministers f the wrld wrestle in prayer fr all the churches f the wrld. A half-hearted, half-cmmitted minister can nly prduce half hearted, halfcmmitted peple. Paul was struggling and striving against adversaries fr the sake f Christians everywhere. He labred hard, tiled, strve, agnized, struggled, and wrestled in prayer. Prayer is nt easy; it is labr. This giving and striving is an example nt nly cming frm Paul but riginates frm the One that placed it in him, ur Lrd Jesus Christ. Striving fr peple that we'll never meet this side f heaven is a great calling. As yu lk at the usage f these wrds f agny thrughut the New Testament, yu begin t understand that Paul's battlefields were bth spiritual and physical. The cntests f struggle were fught bth in prayer (Luke 22:44; Cl. 4:12) and in earthly cnflict (1Thess 2:2; Phil 1:30). And the reasn fr his struggle was that they wuld be kept n the right path, nt fllwing after false dctrine (Luke 13:24; 1Cr 9:25; 1Tim 6:12; 2Tim 4:7; Heb 12:1). 2:2-3 Be Encuraged Paul hped that the ultimate result f his struggle fr them wuld be tw things: 1 Encuraged (cmfrted) hearts and 2 full assurance f understanding v2. The wrd "cmfrted" (paraklethsin) means t be strng, strengthened, established, and braced. Where des such strength cme frm? Where is the spring frm which such cnfidence and assurance flw? Strng hearts cme frm lve frm being knit tgether with thers in lve. A persn wh feels emtins f neglect, verlked, ignred, withut friends, left ut, r by-passed seldm feel strng, cnfident, r assured; On the cntrary, he feels weak unacceptable, and incapable f handling situatins. He feels insecure, which either causes him t withdraw r react in a superir and bastful attitude. The pint is this: the answer t a strng, cnfident, assured heart is lve being knit tgether in lve with thers. The church is t build lve amng everyne, nt neglecting r verlking anyne. This des nt certainly cme frm religin, ceremny, ritual laws, r rules and regulatins; it cmes frm lve hearts knit tgether in lve. Strng hearts cme frm knwing that what yu believe abut Gd is accurate, and true. Once Gd s Spirit infuses strength within the believer s heart, bth assurance and cnfidence cmes alive and gives abslute assurance that we truly knw Gd and are adpted as His dear sns and daughters; that what we believe abut Gd is accurate. The Spirit f Gd instills that cnfidence within ur hearts. When a persn has "full assurance f understanding t the acknwledgement f the mystery f Gd, and f the Father, and f Christ in whm are hid all the treasures f wisdm and knwledge" v2-3, then that persn has matured in truth and have the ability t apply and use truth wisely. The Clssians didn t need t g t the Gnstics and pay t learn secret knwledge f hw t reach Gd. The teaching f Christ was pen t everyne. We never exhaust the treasures f knwledge in Christ, there is always mre t learn. Often, we get verwhelmed by ur wn circumstances, and becme cnvinced that Gd will never get us ut f this mess, that this trial will never be ver, r that we'll never have victry ver ur sin. But then Gd brings smene like Paul acrss ur path wh has a testimny f victry, f deliverance, f Gd's faithfulness. It encurages us that Gd is still wrking, still n the thrne, and still paying attentin t us. Yu can recgnize peple that Gd brings t yu fr encuragement, because He makes a supernatural, spiritual cnnectin between yur hearts. They becme knit tgether in lve. Clssians 2:4-7 Stand Firm In Christ 2:4 And this I say, lest any man shuld beguile yu with enticing wrds. The church needs mature believers wh will resist seductin and deceptin V4.

5 Nw this is the pint I need yu t cmprehend: " lest any man shuld beguile yu with enticing wrds." The wrd "beguile" (paralgizetai) means t mislead, delude deceive, cheat, seduce, and lead smene astray. The need fr believers Believers can be seduced by the persuasive and elquent wrds f false teaching. Arguments: The creatin f the wrld by Gd. The virgin birth r the incarnatin f Gd in human flesh. The resurrectin f Jesus Christ frm the dead. Salvatin by grace thrugh faith etc. The argument can be against any f the majr teachings f Scripture. If they are persuasive enugh, sme persns are led astray. They begin t questin the truth and t wnder and dubt. The very reasn Paul has prclaimed that all wisdm and knwledge exist in Christ is t prtect believers against false teaching. Believers are t knw that all truth is in Christ, and they are t seek all truth in Christ. Believers can be seduced by the enticing and appealing wrds f thse wh live after the lusts f the flesh. Human nature is easily influenced by appearance attractiveness charisma thughts insinuatins suggestins imaginatins desires Therefre when sme idea is made in an appealing way, peple are enticed and led astray frm Christ. Again, the truth and the wise curse f behavir fr the believer is fund in Christ. The curse f wisdm is t turn away frm the seductin f enticing wrds and suggestins. 2:5 Fr thugh I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with yu in the spirit, jying and behlding yur rder, and the stedfastness f yur faith in Christ. The church needs mature believers wh will maintain discipline rder and steadfastness V5. The wrd "rder" (taxin) means t maintain military discipline, array, and arrangement; t hld a slid frnt. The wrd "steadfastness" (sterema) means t stand fast and persevere; t be immveable, steady, and unyielding; t never crack, give in, r back up. This t, is a military wrd. AND THE BELIEVERS WERE RESPONDING LIKE A VICTORIOUS ARMY. They were maintaining their discipline and hlding their rder and standing fast, even as Paul was writing this letter. Even during the standing a minister s encuragement is still needed. Paul says that he was with them in spirit, jying, and watching them gain the victry ver the false teachers. 2:6 As ye have therefre received Christ Jesus the Lrd, s walk ye in him: 2: 7 Rted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abunding therein with thanksgiving. The church needs mature believers wh will walk in the Lrd V6. This means at least tw things: 1. First, believers walk just as they have received Christ by faith. Yu received Christ by faith, s yu are t walk and cntinue with Christ by faith. When yu received Christ, yu trusted His righteusness, His death t cver yur sins and t make yu acceptable t Gd. Therefre, we are t walk cntinuing t trust His righteusness and death. It is all f that that cntinues t cver ur sins and make them acceptable t Gd. We have nthing within urselves t earn, merit, deserve, r make Gd accept us. We can d nthing and we can pssess nthing that will secure the apprval f Gd. The believer s nly acceptance befre Gd is Christ trusting His righteusness and death. 2. Secnd, believers received Christ as Christ Jesus the Lrd. That is, when believers received Him, they accepted Him as the true Messiah and Lrd frm heaven; yu accepted Him as the Lrd f yur life. Therefre, we are t walk befre Him as Lrd; we are t cntinue walking and serving Him as the Lrd f ur lives. There are three particular things the believer is t d in verse 7: 1. The believer is t be rted and built-up in Christ. There are tw pictures in this statement. The picture f being rted is that f a tree. The ther is the picture f being built r cnstructed is that f a building. The pint is this: the emphasis upn a strng attachment and a flw f nurishment and life frm Christ t the believer. That is the believer is t walk in a cntinuus, unbrken cmmunin and fellwship with Christ. His life and mind are t fcus upn Christ withut interruptin, drawing all nurishment and strength frm Him. This is critical, fr there is n ther permanent nurishment r strength nt that lasts frever and imparts eternal life t the human sul. 2. The believer is t walk established in the faith just as he has been taught. The wrd established means t be firm, stable, hlding fast and nt letting g. This shws the utter necessity fr strng teachers in the church. When believer have strng teachers, they are t learn all they can abut the faith and hld fast t it. They are nt t let it g!

6 3. The believer is t walk verflwing with thanksgiving. Christ Jesus has dne s much fr the believer s much that flws n and n, never ceasing, nt even fr ne mment f any day. Therefre, the believer learns t walk in an unbrken spirit f thanksgiving a thanksgiving that verflws in praise t the Lrd mment by mment thrughut the day. Clssians 2:8-10 Fullness In Christ As we have learned, the Gnstics were trying t pull the Clssians away frm the simple teachings f Christ and back int the slavery f a human system f rules that culd nt help them. The imprtance f this passage is clearly seen in the meaning f scripture. 2:8 Beware lest any man spil yu thrugh philsphy and vain deceit, after the traditin f men, after the rudiments f the wrld, and nt after Christ. (8a). The wrd "beware" (blepete) means t take heed, lk ut, guard yurself. Why? Lest any man spil yu thrugh philsphy. The wrd "spil" (sulagge) means t lead int captivity r slavery. Being cntinually watchful fr false teaching des nt cme naturally. Paul is nt encuraging a "critical spirit" but a "discerning spirit." When we knw Christ and His truth well, anything false is revealed immediately by the light f Christ s Spirit. When we are filled up with Christ and His blessings, there is n emptiness in us lking fr smething else t fill it. See that n ne takes yu captive thrugh philsphy. (8b). iv Philsphy (philsphia frm phíls = friend/lver + sphía = wisdm) is literally a lve f wisdm and came t mean tenets (dctrine) f heathen Gentile philsphers. The Gnstics were fnd f philsphia. The lve f human wisdm characterizes every system f philsphy; they all fllw the traditin f men and the elements f the wrld. Instead, men shuld lve Christ, Wh has made true wisdm unt us and in whm are stred all the treasures f true wisdm and true knwledge. Philsphers tried t discver what is true and what is right. A hunger fr truth is t be admired. But philsphy is a prduct f the human mind and it prduces human traditin. It is nt Gd s revelatin; rather it was speculative, mythical and misleading. Wrse, sme f the teachings riginated frm demnic spirits (1Tim.4:1). That means it sunded gd but there was nthing inside. They brught ruin and disappintment t thse wh depended n them. Only Christ s truth carried a real reward. (8c). v The wrd "rudiments" (stichien) refers t parts f a systematized, regulated arrangement. What is represented is smething that is in itself is nly "elemental" and thus less than cmplete. Paul cntrasts these limited elements with the fullness which is put n display in the persn f Jesus. That is the theme f this chapter - - the cntrast between limited, elemental things, and the cmpleteness that is fund nly in Jesus Christ. We end up cncentrating n all the little bits and pieces and frget the big picture. It desn't matter if the systematized apprach t faith is built up frm wrldly philsphy, science, religius dctrines and rituals, etc. It desn't matter what rituals yu perfrm, fd yu eat, festivals yu keep, r day yu wrship n since all f thse things are elemental types and shadws that reach their fulfillment in Christ. The purpse in all these is t lead t spiritual understanding and it is nt in themselves righteusness. T assign them a place f imprtance equal t faith in Jesus is t then take away frm and diminish the cmpleteness f Jesus. T cncentrate n the rudiments can result in capture f the persn. The persn can becme mre cncerned with these limited elements than with the fullness f unity with Christ. They never reach unity in Christ because they are always trying t add smething t Him that is f their wn will pwer; t build up knwledge bit by bit r act by act. Peple trust their wn talents and "career" fr material prvisin and becme captured by material things. All f it can capture the mind t the pint where it directs the heart away frm the fullness that is nly in Jesus Christ. Anyne wh seeks t add n t r replace Jesus with anything else is using vain philsphy and deceitful speech fr the purpse f capturing the heart, mind and sul f thers. I culd g n and n; hwever, the pint has been cvered. 2:9 Fr in him dwelleth all the fulness f the Gdhead bdily. 2:10 And ye are cmplete in him, which is the head f all principality and pwer: The wrd "fullness" (plerma) means that nt a single part f Gd s nature is lacking in the nature f Christ. The wrd "dwells" (katikei) means t be at hme, t be permanently settled and present. This tells us that the fullness f Gd has always dwelt in Christ, even befre He came t earth; that the fullness f Gd was nt just a temprary gift t Christ. What des all this mean t us in a day t day living? It means tw wnderful things: 1. First, Gd is nt far ff in uter space smeplace. Gd is nt uncncerned with the wrld. 2. Gd is lve, nt evil. Only a Gd f evil wuld leave man in the dark where he wuld have t grpe and grasp and stumble. The Gnstics believed Christ was nt the supreme Gd but nly ne f the lesser emanatins frm Him, ne f the angels. They claimed t knw the secret and nly way t Gd, but actually it was Christians wh knew the way (Christ). The answers t the wrld and life are nt fund in a philsphy, nr in human ideas, but fund in a

7 Persn, the Persn f the Lrd Jesus Christ. Think fr a mment: if a Persn (Gd) really created the wrld, then the answer t life and creatin (truth and reality) are bund t be wrapped up in Him. Christ is nt just a partial representatin f Gd, like an angel sent as Gd s representative. In Christ dwells all the fullness f the Gdhead. And thse wh wrshiped Christ were wrshiping Gd since Christ has the fullness f Deity. Fr in him dwelleth - Inhabiteth, cntinually abideth, all the fulness f the Gdhead. In Jesus f Nazareth, Gd was uniquely and bdily amng us. The incarnatin was real. Here ur Lrd Jesus Christ was ne persn with tw natures: the Gd-man. Since the pwer f Gd rested in Jesus Christ, Christ vercmes all ther pwers. Believers are cmplete (filled up) in Christ. The wrd "cmplete" (peplermeni) means t be made full. We seek n ther surce f grace and truth; we shw n allegiance t anyne else; and we submit t n ther authrity. Christ is the head; He is the surce f life; and He is svereign ver life. Gd did this in cnnectin with Jesus Christ. SUMMARY: Paul was struggling (cntending) fr thse at Clsse and Ladicea and all whm he never seen. He wanted the church t be encuraged in heart and united in lve, s that they may have the full riches f cmplete understanding; that they may knw the mystery f Gd, namely, Christ. All the treasures f wisdm and knwledge are hidden in Christ. He did nt want them t be deceived in any manner by fine-sunding wrds. He tld the Clssians that all wisdm and knwledge were fund in Christ s that n ne wuld delude them with persuasive argument. The Gnstic heretics were preying n Christians. False religin is ften presented in a way that fascinates the intellect. The teachers appear t knw things that thers d nt understand. Prtecting the flck frm such teachers is serius wrk. Even in writing the letter in a Rman prisn, Paul was present with them in spirit. Paul was in a Rman prisn at this time, but he was happy t hear abut the fact that they'd cme t faith in Jesus. The things that pleased him were hw rderly they were and hw firm their faith in Christ was, and he didn t want them t lse that. He wanted them t cntinue t live in Christ; t live wrthy f the call they received. They received Jesus, as well as we have, because we were sinners that needed a Savir. That's the way we shuld walk in Jesus, t. Our trust, ur faith, ur dependence must be cmpletely in Him, nt in urselves. It is nt ur self-righteusness. It is nt ur religius bservatin. It is all abut cntinually cming back t the fact that we are sinners, and Jesus paid the price fr ur sins. Three wrds abut the Clssians that pleased Paul in verse 7 were: 1. Rted and Built-up (in Him) 2. Stablished (in the faith) 3. Abunding (with thanksgiving) The peple that came t the Clssian church with persuasive arguments were the same kind f peple that are in the church tday. Hwever, the warning was t "beware lest any man spil yu thrugh philsphy and vain deceit." There are tw surces that the false teachers philsphy and empty deceptin cme frm: the traditin f men, and the elementary principles f the wrld, that is: Man s traditins: Why can't Cathlic priests be married? Why must we call them "Father"? Why des the Cathlic church believe in Purgatry? Why must we pray t Mary and the saints? Why must we pledge membership t certain churches? Why must we wear a suit and tie t attend? Why must we nly sing certain styles f hymns? Rudiments (basic principles) f this wrld signs and spirits f the stars rather than Christ. "Fr in him all the fullness f the Deity lives in bdily frm." "The Wrd was with Gd and the Wrd was Gd; the Wrd became flesh and dwelt amng us, wh frm the Father, full f grace and truth; frm the fullness f His grace we all received ne blessing after anther" Jh.1:1, 14, 16 NIV. We d nt lack anything when we are in Christ. Christ is the Head ver every pwer and authrity. APPLICATION: Everything is in Christ. Cntinue t fllw after Him being established in yur faith! Make a distinctin in what the Wrd says and what smene says. Check it ut fr yurself. i ii iii iv v

BUILDING AN EFFECTIVE PRAYER LIFE Prt 4

BUILDING AN EFFECTIVE PRAYER LIFE Prt 4 This mrning I want t finish ff the series n prayer BUILDING AN EFFECTIVE PRAYER LIFE Last week we cvered the fllwing 1. Yur attitude twards prayer determines its effectiveness 2. Make prayers f faith.

More information

Love - Fulfillment of the Commandments

Love - Fulfillment of the Commandments Lve Lifted Me Recvery Ministries http://www.lveliftedmerecvery.cm Lve - Fulfillment f the Cmmandments Jesus said, "If yu lve Me, keep My cmmandments" (Jhn 14:15). I remember as a new Christian wndering,

More information

Choose Joy Because Happiness Isn t Enough

Choose Joy Because Happiness Isn t Enough Chse Jy Because Happiness Isn t Enugh Day 18: Lk at Yur Busyness Many f us live lives cnstantly n the g with every hur f ur day planned ut. Often, with little pprtunity fr a change in plans r directin.

More information

Genesis 22B (2011) Did God really expect him to take such an unthinkable step? How will it feel to watch his son die?

Genesis 22B (2011) Did God really expect him to take such an unthinkable step? How will it feel to watch his son die? Genesis 22B (2011) As Abraham stands at the tp f Mt. Mriah preparing t sacrifice his nly sn, he must have been warring with his wn fears and dubts Did Gd really expect him t take such an unthinkable step?

More information

EXALT JESUS. Sermon in a sentence: More than anything else, or anyone else, we need to exalt Jesus!

EXALT JESUS. Sermon in a sentence: More than anything else, or anyone else, we need to exalt Jesus! EXALT JESUS 1 EXALT JESUS July 6, 2014 Sermn in a sentence: Mre than anything else, r anyne else, we need t exalt Jesus! Scriptures: (NKJV) Jhn 3:14; Jhn 12:27-33; (Num 21:4-9); Phil 2:5-11; 2 Cr. 5:14-19;

More information

Missional Living Series Week 1: The Resurrection

Missional Living Series Week 1: The Resurrection Missinal Living Series Week 1: The Resurrectin The Hpe: The Call t the Missin Fr the week f April 12 Hme Grup Leader Instructins: In preparatin fr leading grup discussins and the use f the prvided material,

More information

1Corinthians 12C. As we believe, we are equipped by the Spirit. And He unites the body of Christ. There are a variety of ministries

1Corinthians 12C. As we believe, we are equipped by the Spirit. And He unites the body of Christ. There are a variety of ministries 1Crinthians 12C Thrugh the first ten verses f chapter 12, Paul has begun patiently teaching the church abut the nature and purpse f spiritual gifts We ve learned that spiritual gifts are a cnsequence f

More information

CHRIST OUR CHAMPION Text: Hebrews 2: For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. 6 But one testified in

CHRIST OUR CHAMPION Text: Hebrews 2: For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. 6 But one testified in CHRIST OUR CHAMPION Text: Hebrews 2: 5-18 5 Fr He has nt put the wrld t cme, f which we speak, in subjectin t angels. 6 But ne testified in a certain place, saying: "What is man that Yu are mindful f him,

More information

Relying On The Holy Spirit

Relying On The Holy Spirit Relying On The Hly Spirit Experience the jy-filled walk with Gd under the aninting f the Hly Spirit. Have yu ever seen a child stare in wide-eyed wnder as she listens t a new stry? That's the way many

More information

The final verse from our study in the Gospel of John this morning was John 10:10 in which Jesus said,

The final verse from our study in the Gospel of John this morning was John 10:10 in which Jesus said, Ze: Experiencing The Fullness f Gd In Every Area f Life INTRODUCTION: The final verse frm ur study in the Gspel f Jhn this mrning was Jhn 10:10 in which Jesus said, "The thief des nt cme except t steal,

More information

INTRODUCTION. 1 John 3:2-3 NKJV 2

INTRODUCTION. 1 John 3:2-3 NKJV 2 1 Title: Living in the Light f Christ s Return (Part 3) Our Behaviur in Anticipatin f Christ s Return Scripture: 1 Thessalnians 5:-24 Speaker: Senir Pastr Prince Guneratnam INTRODUCTION T be living in

More information

Philippians 1:21 - For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:21 - For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:18-30 Philippians 1:18 - What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense r in truth, Christ is prclaimed, and in that I rejice. Yes, and I will rejice, Paul is rejicing fr tw reasns:

More information

JOURNEYS THROUGH THE BIBLE

JOURNEYS THROUGH THE BIBLE JOURNEYS THROUGH THE BIBLE #13. THE LETTER TO THE COLOSSIANS 1. Paul s letter t the Clssians was written frm Rme and is the Apstle s Respnse t heretical teaching that had begun t surface amng Believers

More information

With Christ in the School of Prayer Andrew Murray [revised by Harold J. Chadwick copyright by bridge-logos publishers]

With Christ in the School of Prayer Andrew Murray [revised by Harold J. Chadwick copyright by bridge-logos publishers] Sunday Mrning Prayer Class January 11, 2015 With Christ in the Schl f Prayer Andrew Murray [revised by Harld J. Chadwick cpyright by bridge-lgs publishers] LESSON 1 THE ONLY TEACHER One day Jesus was praying

More information

Genesis 1:1, 26-27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Corinthians 8:6; II Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2

Genesis 1:1, 26-27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; I Corinthians 8:6; II Corinthians 13:14; 1 Peter 1:2 BELIEFS Our hpe is t simply be Christians in Christ s church being SHAPED BY SCRIPTURE. Overview: We are called t 1. understand Gd s relatinship t Christ Jesus. 2. be in a relatinship with Gd thrugh Jesus.

More information

Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. 1 Sunday, May 15, 2016 I Crinthians 4:18-21: Crrecting the Crinthians Intrductin/Review Last week during ur time tgether we studied verses 14 thrugh 17. In summatin we bserved the fllwing regarding these

More information

Identity Issues God s Glory and Our Joy Ephesians 1:9

Identity Issues God s Glory and Our Joy Ephesians 1:9 Identity Issues Gd s Glry and Our Jy Ephesians 1:9 We ve been talking identity and hw we frm it The age-ld questin f Wh am I? This questin is imprtant because wh we believe urselves t be will shape and

More information

Baptism for Children at Summit Drive Church

Baptism for Children at Summit Drive Church Baptism fr Children at Summit Drive Church Baptism fr Children at Summit Drive Church Therefre g and make disciples f all natins, baptizing them in the name f the Father and f the Sn and f the Hly Spirit,

More information

AN ESTABLISHED COMMUNITY

AN ESTABLISHED COMMUNITY DISTINGUISHING TRUTH FROM DECEIT / Sunday School- May 9, 2010 Unifying Topic: AN ESTABLISHED COMMUNITY Lesson Text I. Paul s Struggle For The Colossians (Colossians 2:1-3) II. Stand Firm In Christ (Colossians

More information

Kirk Miller 1 December 4 th, 2011 Lake Drive Baptist Church Sunday morning service

Kirk Miller 1 December 4 th, 2011 Lake Drive Baptist Church Sunday morning service Kirk Miller 1 December 4 th, 2011 Lake Drive Baptist Church Sunday mrning service Please turn t Philippians 1:27-30 Intrductin: Jesus lves me this I knw, fr the Bible tells me s. Fr Gd s lved the wrld,

More information

1. Even though Paul had to privately and publically correct Peter, they were still united.

1. Even though Paul had to privately and publically correct Peter, they were still united. ï» back t title page SERIES: THE GREATNESS OF GRACE TITLE: THE GRACE OF THE SUMMONS TEXT: GALATIANS 2:15-18 INTRO: Here, Paul intrduces the subject f Justificatin, a subject he will deal with mre thrughly

More information

1Corinthians 15B. Our entry into chapter 15 of this letter gave us a clear-eyed view of the gospel. The story has never changed:

1Corinthians 15B. Our entry into chapter 15 of this letter gave us a clear-eyed view of the gospel. The story has never changed: 1Crinthians 15B Our entry int chapter 15 f this letter gave us a clear-eyed view f the gspel Paul tld the church this was the message he received frm the Lrd and delivered t them The stry has never changed:

More information

In the Gospels, Jesus tells of the end of the age, will be the final Judgement.

In the Gospels, Jesus tells of the end of the age, will be the final Judgement. Speaker: Title: Prince Guneratnam The Judgment Seat f Christ INTRODUCTION The Judgement Seat f Christ will be the next event nce the Rapture takes place. Only believers will be at this Judgement t receive

More information

Lesson 3: When God calls and means you

Lesson 3: When God calls and means you Fcused n seekers United in fellwship Cmmitted t discipleship Active in Training Tgether in Service Mdule 3 / Lessn 3: When Gd calls yu and means yu Lessn 3: When Gd calls and means yu Intrductin In lessn

More information

Hebrews 10A (2014) Over the New Year s holiday, a lot of families like to go to the movies. The New Covenant provided a sacrifice to cover all sin

Hebrews 10A (2014) Over the New Year s holiday, a lot of families like to go to the movies. The New Covenant provided a sacrifice to cover all sin Hebrews 10A (2014) Over the New Year s hliday, a lt f families like t g t the mvies And when yu g t the mvies, yu are sure t see cming attractins f future mvies Smetimes the thse trailers give away t much

More information

Recall from Lesson 30 that we laid out the following three views of preservation: View 1 Denial of a Doctrine of Preservation

Recall from Lesson 30 that we laid out the following three views of preservation: View 1 Denial of a Doctrine of Preservation 1 Sunday, Nvember 6, 2016 Grace Life Schl f Thelgy Frm This Generatin Fr Ever Lessn 34 Preservatin: Examining the Relevant Passages, Isaiah 30:8 Intrductin Recall frm Lessn 30 that we laid ut the fllwing

More information

Romans and Racial Reconciliation

Romans and Racial Reconciliation Rmans and Racial Recnciliatin Paul s letter t the Rmans summns Christians t ethnic, cultural, tribal recnciliatin with ne anther by reminding us that all f us must cme t Gd n the same terms, thrugh Jesus

More information

CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE LESSON 3: THE CREATOR

CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE LESSON 3: THE CREATOR Essentials fr Spiritual Leadership Leader s Guide CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE LESSON 3: THE CREATOR INTRODUCTION This lessn is part f a Discipleship Essentials mdule titled. This series f lessns examines dctrines

More information

PITWM VERSE BY VERSE REVELATION 5:6-14 LESSON: BLESSING, GLORY, AND HONOR FOREVER April 29, 2018

PITWM VERSE BY VERSE REVELATION 5:6-14 LESSON: BLESSING, GLORY, AND HONOR FOREVER April 29, 2018 PITWM VERSE BY VERSE REVELATION 5:6-14 LESSON: BLESSING, GLORY, AND HONOR FOREVER April 29, 2018 INTRODUCTION: "Revelatin" means an unveiling f things previusly cncealed, therefre, this bk is revealing

More information

What was your take-away from Wednesday night s lesson- a new idea or concept, or a meaningful thought for you regarding prejudice?

What was your take-away from Wednesday night s lesson- a new idea or concept, or a meaningful thought for you regarding prejudice? LIFEWORK fr Lessn 9 The Ryal Law f Lve (James 2:8-13) There s a scene in the mvie A Few Gd Men where Lt. Daniel Kaffee, a military defense attrney played by Tm Cruise, is questining Cl. Nathan Jessep,

More information

The BATTLE PLAN for PRAYER

The BATTLE PLAN for PRAYER The BATTLE PLAN fr PRAYER 8 WHAT ARE GOD S ANSWERS TO PRAYER? I sught the Lrd, and He answered me. (Ps. 34: 4) When I needed the Lrd, I lked fr Him; I called ut t Him, and He heard me and respnded. He

More information

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. i

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. i 1 2016-07-03 West Valley Presbyterian Church Tdd Misfeldt Scripture: Galatians 5:1 and Acts 16:23 28. Tmrrw, n Mnday, July 4 th, we will celebrate the funding f ur natin, the United States f America, the

More information

Hebrews 2A (2014) People tend to judge the value of a message - at least in part - by the reputation or importance of the messenger

Hebrews 2A (2014) People tend to judge the value of a message - at least in part - by the reputation or importance of the messenger Hebrews 2A (2014) Peple tend t judge the value f a message - at least in part - by the reputatin r imprtance f the messenger We prefer that imprtant news cmes frm imprtant and reputable surces If yu hear

More information

TAKING LEADERSHIP TO THE NEXT LEVEL

TAKING LEADERSHIP TO THE NEXT LEVEL 5/10/14 Ps Brian Heath TAKING LEADERSHIP TO THE NEXT LEVEL We need a specific type f church t really make a difference in ur wrld. NEHEMIAH 2:11-20: S I came t Jerusalem and was there three days. Then

More information

[theology foundations]

[theology foundations] The Events f the End Times 1. The Tribulatin and the Rapture f the Church The Fact f the Tribulatin because thse will be days f distress unequaled frm the beginning, when Gd created the wrld, until nw

More information

LEADERSHIP LIFESTYLE LESSON 2: PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL LIFE AND WORSHIP

LEADERSHIP LIFESTYLE LESSON 2: PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL LIFE AND WORSHIP Essentials fr Spiritual Leadership Study Guide LEADERSHIP LIFESTYLE LESSON 2: PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL LIFE AND WORSHIP INTRODUCTION This lessn is part f a Discipleship Essentials mdule titled. The lessns examine

More information

Genesis 3D (2011) We saw last week that God never curses woman. And those punishments are severe

Genesis 3D (2011) We saw last week that God never curses woman. And those punishments are severe Genesis 3D (2011) Gd has respnded t the sin f the Garden by punishing Satan and then giving wman grace even in the midst f her suffering the cnsequences f sin The cming fallen wrld, this cuple f their

More information

CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE LESSON 3: THE CREATOR

CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE LESSON 3: THE CREATOR Essentials fr Spiritual Leadership Study Guide CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE LESSON 3: THE CREATOR INTRODUCTION This lessn is part f a Discipleship Essentials mdule titled Christian Dctrine. This series f lessns

More information

Foundations Dreams/Visions/Listening to God

Foundations Dreams/Visions/Listening to God I. Dreams and Visins Fundatins Dreams/Visins/Listening t Gd Identity - I am a friend f Gd. Numbers 12:6 If there is a prphet amng yu, I the Lrd make myself knwn t him in a visin; I speak with him in a

More information

JOURNEYS THROUGH THE BIBLE

JOURNEYS THROUGH THE BIBLE JOURNEYS THROUGH THE BIBLE #11. THE LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS 1. Paul s letter t the Ephesians is written in rder t explain the nature and purpse f the Church, which is the Bdy f Christ. Many schlars believe

More information

Video: Called: Discover Your Vocation

Video: Called: Discover Your Vocation Sessin 1- What is a Vcatin? (18min) 6 th Grade Bys Cathlic Visin f Lve Study Guide Vide: Called: Discver Yur Vcatin The questins we yearn t answer are: "Wh am I?" and "Why am I here?" T find the answers,

More information

1Corinthians 12A. We now launch into the next major section of Paul s letter and a new topic. The new topic is spiritual gifts in the body

1Corinthians 12A. We now launch into the next major section of Paul s letter and a new topic. The new topic is spiritual gifts in the body 1Crinthians 12A We nw launch int the next majr sectin f Paul s letter and a new tpic Paul is ready t tackle the next questin he received frm the Crinthian church as delivered by Chle s delegatin The new

More information

Study 27: Revelation 13:11-18

Study 27: Revelation 13:11-18 Study 27: Revelatin 13:11-18 11 Then I saw anther beast, cming ut f the earth. He had tw hrns like a lamb, but he spke like a dragn. The Lrd pened Jhn s eyes t see the reality f evil and its intelligent

More information

A Study of Acts Chapter 2

A Study of Acts Chapter 2 A Study f Acts Chapter 2 I. WHY STUDY ACTS? A. We study Acts because it has implicatins fr the present-day church 1. We need a scripturally centered apprach n what Gd's intents and purpses are fr the Church.

More information

The Catholic Faith Divine Revelation

The Catholic Faith Divine Revelation The Cathlic Faith Divine Revelatin Knwing Gd Faith is a gift frm Gd that allws us t believe in him and all that he has revealed. We can knw Gd frm creatin. Saint Thmas Aquinas five prfs f knwing the existence

More information

Noble Counsel. But the noble man devises noble plans; And by noble plans he stands. Isaiah 32:8

Noble Counsel. But the noble man devises noble plans; And by noble plans he stands. Isaiah 32:8 Nble Cunsel But the nble man devises nble plans; And by nble plans he stands. Isaiah 32:8 Many are the plans in a man s heart, But the cunsel f the Lrd, it will stand. Prverbs 19:21 Last lessn we studied

More information

I Corinthians 3:4 Paul cites their man follow factions as further proof of their carnality.

I Corinthians 3:4 Paul cites their man follow factions as further proof of their carnality. 1 Sunday, January 10, 2015 I Crinthians 3:9-11: The Wise Masterbuilder Intrductin/Review Last week we resumed ur study f I Crinthians 3 by lking at verses 4 thrugh 8. In ding s we bserved the fllwing pints.

More information

Clarifying Worship. Psalm 145

Clarifying Worship. Psalm 145 Blake Jennings Grace Bible Church Suthwd Clarifying Wrship Psalm 145 We will wrship Gd fr all eternity because it is His highest pririty fr ur lives. But d we really understand wrship? Discver the true

More information

Ephesians 1F. Today we finally finish Paul s 270 word sentence in Ephesians 1. We ve been studying this passage according to the outline Paul provides

Ephesians 1F. Today we finally finish Paul s 270 word sentence in Ephesians 1. We ve been studying this passage according to the outline Paul provides Ephesians 1F Tday we finally finish Paul s 270 wrd sentence in Ephesians 1 Frm vs.3-14 Paul has been explaining the ways in which the believer is spiritually blessed as a result f Gd s grace This sectin

More information

What is the purpose of an anchor? How is Jesus the Anchor of our Souls?

What is the purpose of an anchor? How is Jesus the Anchor of our Souls? THEREFORE DON T FALL AWAY CHAPTER 6 FACILITATOR S NOTE Fllwing frm the authr s rebuke f the audience at the end f the previus chapter, this chapter discusses the fundatin f the faith and encurages us t

More information

That s one of the most difficult things to deal with as a Christian.

That s one of the most difficult things to deal with as a Christian. Intrductin Have Yu Cnsidered My Servant? Jb 1-2 Gd s deepest cmfrts are nt attached t answers. That s ne f the mst difficult things t deal with as a Christian. But Gd desn t leave us hanging, at least

More information

In this case, where there is no vision, the FOOD will perish! Elder Rick Pina

In this case, where there is no vision, the FOOD will perish! Elder Rick Pina www.tdayswrd.rg Unlcking the Pwer f Persnal Visin (Part II) Elder Ricard (Rick) M. Pina Sr. Faith Outreach Christian Life Center Bible Study, January 10 th, 2007 Intrductin: This lessn is the secnd part

More information

14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table.

14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 1 Luke 22:14-30 (New Internatinal Versin) 14 When the hur came, Jesus and his apstles reclined at the table. 15 And he said t them, I have eagerly desired t eat this Passver with yu befre I suffer. 16

More information

Let me begin very transparently with you and pose an interesting dilemma.

Let me begin very transparently with you and pose an interesting dilemma. St. Michael s Church CHARLESTON, SC SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2107 ROMANS 10:5-15 MATTHEW 10: 27-33 PREACHER: THE REV. AL ZADIG, JR. HELP US LORD TO BE SO CONNECTED TO YOU THAT WE MIGHT BECOME THE SERVANTS OF

More information

SERIES: War is Over, The MESSAGE: Now I Live SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig SCRIPTURE: Romans 5-6

SERIES: War is Over, The MESSAGE: Now I Live SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig SCRIPTURE: Romans 5-6 SERIES: War is Over, The MESSAGE: Nw I Live SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig SCRIPTURE: Rmans 5-6 MESSAGE SUMMARY Our wrship team has managed t put the mst salient truths f the Christian experience int this single

More information

Middle/High School Sunday School Lessons by. rfour.org

Middle/High School Sunday School Lessons by. rfour.org Middle/High Schl Sunday Schl Lessns by rfur.rg Year 2: Sessin 3 Jnah and Jesus Class 9: Luke 4:1-15 Jesus In The Wilderness CONCEPTS that will be cvered in the lessn Discuss why smething is tempting Highlight

More information

Colossians: Christ in YOU. Col. 1: Recite the prayer (1:9-12) Did you pray it over another believer this week?

Colossians: Christ in YOU. Col. 1: Recite the prayer (1:9-12) Did you pray it over another believer this week? Clssians: Christ in YOU. Cl. 1:13-14 Recite the prayer (1:9-12) Did yu pray it ver anther believer this week? Happy Valentine s Weekend! Hw did yu celebrate Valentine s Day? We nw enter int a 3-week series

More information

Saturday, May 29, 2010 Great Lakes Grace Bible Conference How to Pray: The Pauline

Saturday, May 29, 2010 Great Lakes Grace Bible Conference How to Pray: The Pauline 1 Saturday, May 29, 2010 Great Lakes Grace Bible Cnference Hw t Pray: The Pauline Prayer Paradigm Purpse: Demnstrate hw we shuld pray tday (nt hw we shuld nt pray). Explain the purpse and effect f prayer

More information

The Heart of VBS: Evangelism

The Heart of VBS: Evangelism The Heart f VBS: Evangelism Purpse Statement This 45 minute cnference plan is designed t help cnferees renew a cmmitment t building bridges t the spiritual rphans in their cmmunity thrugh ging back t the

More information

Sunday, February 6, 2011 Mark Dispensationally Considered Mark 1:12-13: The Temptation of Jesus

Sunday, February 6, 2011 Mark Dispensationally Considered Mark 1:12-13: The Temptation of Jesus 1 Sunday, February 6, 2011 Mark Dispensatinally Cnsidered Mark 1:12-13: The Temptatin f Jesus Intrductin The mrning we are ging t be lking at the temptatin f Christ recrded in the gspels. Mark in his custmary

More information

Note: These notes are a continuation of Lessons 145 and 146 Sonship Edification: General Timeline and Overview of Key Concepts, Parts 1 and 2

Note: These notes are a continuation of Lessons 145 and 146 Sonship Edification: General Timeline and Overview of Key Concepts, Parts 1 and 2 1 Sunday, Octber 5, 2014 Grace Life Schl f Thelgy Grace Histry Prject Lessn 147 Snship Edificatin: General Timeline and Overview f Key Cncepts, Part 3 Nte: These ntes are a cntinuatin f Lessns 145 and

More information

11/17/2010 LECTURE 16: KIERKEGAARD SØREN KIERKEGAARD OUTLINE. Soren Kierkegaard. Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher who lived between

11/17/2010 LECTURE 16: KIERKEGAARD SØREN KIERKEGAARD OUTLINE. Soren Kierkegaard. Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher who lived between LECTURE 16: KIERKEGAARD SØREN KIERKEGAARD Sren Kierkegaard Kierkegaard was a Danish philspher wh lived between 1813-1855 A cntrversial figure in the histry f religin thrugh his attack upn Christendm One

More information

Genesis 1D (2011) The sixth day began with animals and ended with man. Notice a difference in how man is created?

Genesis 1D (2011) The sixth day began with animals and ended with man. Notice a difference in how man is created? Genesis 1D (2011) Gen. 1:26 Then Gd said, Let Us make man in Our image, accrding t Our likeness; and let them rule ver the fish f the sea and ver the birds f the sky and ver the cattle and ver all the

More information

Easter Welcome to the most joyful day of our Christian calendar, the day we remember our Lord s triumph over the grave

Easter Welcome to the most joyful day of our Christian calendar, the day we remember our Lord s triumph over the grave Easter 2016 Welcme t the mst jyful day f ur Christian calendar, the day we remember ur Lrd s triumph ver the grave Christians mark this day in many ways and many traditins Sme families hld egg hunts Others

More information

Who Were the Wise Men - Matthew 2:1-12

Who Were the Wise Men - Matthew 2:1-12 Wh Were the Wise Men - Matthew 2:1-12 One Christmas, mm decided that she was n lnger ging t remind her children t write their thank-yu ntes fr the gifts they receive. As a result, their grandmther never

More information

SEASIDEYOUTH. Volunteer Leaders Training Manual

SEASIDEYOUTH. Volunteer Leaders Training Manual ! SEASIDEYOUTH Vlunteer Leaders Training Manual SeasideYuth Cre Bible Passages On ne f thse days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers f the law were sitting there, wh had cme frm every village f

More information

Jesus will appear many times in the Revelation

Jesus will appear many times in the Revelation ! Revelatin 1:1-7 Intr (rise fr reading prayer) As prmised, tnight we begin ur study f the great bk f Revelatin We ll begin with Jhn s intrductin f the Revelatin t his readers But first, a quick verview

More information

Prayer Walking 101 (Taken from Steve Hawthorne s Book Prayer Walking)

Prayer Walking 101 (Taken from Steve Hawthorne s Book Prayer Walking) Prayer Walking 101 (Taken frm Steve Hawthrne s Bk Prayer Walking) Call t Me and I will answer yu and shw yu great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which yu d nt knw- d nt distinguish and recgnize,

More information

If we willingly submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father, in the end we will share in His holiness.

If we willingly submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father, in the end we will share in His holiness. Heavenly Discipline Hebrews 12:3-11 Hebrews 12:3-11 Intrductin The riginal readers f this sermn wuld have been very familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures ur Old Testament. The passage we will study tday

More information

Foundations Creation, the Gospel & New Identity

Foundations Creation, the Gospel & New Identity I. Typical Creatin Questins Fundatins Creatin, the Gspel & New Identity Identity - I am a new creatin. I am redeemed. I belng t Gd. Where did Gd cme frm? Hw did peple live s lng (and what abut the dinsaurs)?

More information

LESSON 4B Saving Faith and Perfect Faith

LESSON 4B Saving Faith and Perfect Faith LESSON 4B Saving Faith and Perfect Faith Smetimes Running Frward is Staying Put When climbing t the tp f Mt Everest yu must stp at varius altitudes t acclimate t the altitude r yu wn t make it t the tp.

More information

Do you know Jesus Personally?

Do you know Jesus Personally? D yu knw Jesus Persnally? This sectin lks at why it is imprtant t knw the Lrd Jesus Christ persnally. When yu lk at the multitude r peple wh knw OF Jesus whm He des NOT knw intimately, it is amazing that

More information

Sermon / Preaching Research Ephesians (Filled/Beloved) 8/16/15 at Holy Cross

Sermon / Preaching Research Ephesians (Filled/Beloved) 8/16/15 at Holy Cross Sermn / Preaching Research Ephesians 5.1-21 (Filled/Belved) 8/16/15 at Hly Crss Life Grup Leader Guide Instructins Leading a grup can be intimidating but here s sme help. Included in this packet are three

More information

Hebrews 11A (2014) As a Bible teacher, there are a few special chapters in the Bible that I find myself returning to time and time again

Hebrews 11A (2014) As a Bible teacher, there are a few special chapters in the Bible that I find myself returning to time and time again Hebrews 11A (2014) As a Bible teacher, there are a few special chapters in the Bible that I find myself returning t time and time again Chapters in the Law Like Genesis 3 Leviticus 26 Passages in the prphets

More information

Genesis 22A (2011) The testing will expose Abraham s true heart

Genesis 22A (2011) The testing will expose Abraham s true heart Genesis 22A (2011) The Bible calls Abraham the father f faith Abraham is the man Paul uses as his example when he taught the way t salvatin was always by faith in Gd s prmises Abraham has seen Gd appear

More information

Diocese of Youngstown 75 th Anniversary Learnin g: St. Columba Grades 3-6

Diocese of Youngstown 75 th Anniversary Learnin g: St. Columba Grades 3-6 Dicese f Yungstwn 75 th Anniversary Learnin g: St. Clumba Grades 3-6 Objective: T explre hw t live ut ur Gspel call by learning abut the life f St. Clumba. I. Engage the life experience In yur wn wrds:

More information

Saturday, February 18, Southern California Grace Conference

Saturday, February 18, Southern California Grace Conference 1 Saturday, February 18, 2016 2017 Suthern Califrnia Grace Cnference Tpic: Rejice Evermre 1 Thes. 5:16, Phil. 3:1; 4:4. This study will fcus n the place where we as believers are t find true lasting jy

More information

Some believe this psalm was written when David was fleeing from Absalom. Other suggest it was when he was fleeing from Saul. It really doesn t matter.

Some believe this psalm was written when David was fleeing from Absalom. Other suggest it was when he was fleeing from Saul. It really doesn t matter. Lead Me t the Rck Psalm 61 Lead Me t the Rck Intrductin What d we d when Gd feels distant? Optin #1: Just be OK with it. Our walk with him is nt what it used t be r nt what we hped it wuld be. S what?

More information

Genesis (2011) 47A. And this section will bring his story to a close. This is the story of Jacob in Egypt. He has decided they should live in Goshen

Genesis (2011) 47A. And this section will bring his story to a close. This is the story of Jacob in Egypt. He has decided they should live in Goshen Genesis (2011) 47A The stry f Jacb tldt enters the final sectin tday And this sectin will bring his stry t a clse This is the stry f Jacb in Egypt He and his family will ride ut the rest f the famine in

More information

Spirit, Soul, and Body 1 st - 5 th 10/9/2016

Spirit, Soul, and Body 1 st - 5 th 10/9/2016 Spirit, Sul, and Bdy 1 st - 5 th 10/9/2016 This Week s Theme: The purpse f this lessn is t understand that we have the pwer t chse which part f us we will listen t. Our inner higher self can say N! t limiting

More information

DISCIPLESHIP 1 IDENTIFICATION SERIES LESSON 8 UNIT II DEVELOPING GODLY HABITS - PART 4 WALKING CIRCUMSPECTLY CONFESSION OF IDENTIFICATION

DISCIPLESHIP 1 IDENTIFICATION SERIES LESSON 8 UNIT II DEVELOPING GODLY HABITS - PART 4 WALKING CIRCUMSPECTLY CONFESSION OF IDENTIFICATION Cmpiled by E.M. Gregri DISCIPLESHIP 1 IDENTIFICATION SERIES LESSON 8 UNIT II DEVELOPING GODLY HABITS - PART 4 WALKING CIRCUMSPECTLY CONFESSION OF IDENTIFICATION Fr CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE CHRISTIAN

More information

Genesis 12A (2011) Last week we turned the corner into part two of Genesis. Part one of Genesis was a trilogy of sorts

Genesis 12A (2011) Last week we turned the corner into part two of Genesis. Part one of Genesis was a trilogy of sorts Genesis 12A (2011) Last week we turned the crner int part tw f Genesis Part ne f Genesis was a trilgy f srts A three-part stry f the never-ending, all-cnsuming destructive pwer f sin It began with the

More information

Teaching Children the Whole Counsel of God

Teaching Children the Whole Counsel of God Teaching Children the Whle Cunsel f Gd Acts 20:27 fr I did nt shrink frm declaring t yu the whle cunsel f Gd. Jill Nelsn D.A. Carsn What he [Paul] must mean is that he taught the burden f the whle f Gd

More information

Chapter 14: God in three persons: The Trinity

Chapter 14: God in three persons: The Trinity Chapter 14: Gd in three persns: The Trinity Hw can Gd be three persns, yet ne Gd? Frm Systematic Thelgy by Wayne Grudem Explanatin and Scriptural Basis Gd eternally exists as three persns, Father, Sn,

More information

SERIES: What's Next? MESSAGE: What's Next? SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig SCRIPTURE: Revelation 1

SERIES: What's Next? MESSAGE: What's Next? SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig SCRIPTURE: Revelation 1 SERIES: What's Next? MESSAGE: What's Next? SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig SCRIPTURE: Revelatin 1 MESSAGE SUMMARY Peple have always been fascinated with the future and what's next. As we study prphecy, we can't

More information

Christ calls us to be a partnered with Him in His renewal of all things and it s a fight

Christ calls us to be a partnered with Him in His renewal of all things and it s a fight / Renew Part III (Victry) Mark 5:1-15 And they came t Jesus and bserved the man wh had been demn-pssessed sitting dwn, clthed and in his right mind, the very man wh had had the legin (v. 15) This man wh

More information

How to be a Good Christian and other religious nonsense

How to be a Good Christian and other religious nonsense Hw t be a Gd Christian and ther religius nnsense 2.2.11 Galatians Series Sermn 3 The Gspel Creates Unity Galatians 2:11-14 Title Reading and teaching frm the NLT This week is a message fr Christians Next

More information

i. We live in a day where, the ends justify the means. This is what is known as pragmatism. Many churches are walking down this slippery slope.

i. We live in a day where, the ends justify the means. This is what is known as pragmatism. Many churches are walking down this slippery slope. ï» back t title page SERIES: THE GREATNESS OF GRACE TITLE: THE EVIDENCE OF SINCERITY TEXT: GALATIANS 6:1-5 Uncmmn Stries and Illus #76 - A new lawyer came t twn. New twn. New ffice. N clients. Once day

More information

back to title page SERIES: THE GREATNESS OF GRACE: EXPOSITION OF GALATIANS TITLE: THE GRACE OF SALVATION TEXT: 1:1-5 INTRO:

back to title page SERIES: THE GREATNESS OF GRACE: EXPOSITION OF GALATIANS TITLE: THE GRACE OF SALVATION TEXT: 1:1-5 INTRO: ï» back t title page SERIES: THE GREATNESS OF GRACE: EXPOSITION OF GALATIANS TITLE: THE GRACE OF SALVATION TEXT: 1:1-5 INTRO: Cmputer Viruses: Jhn Nrstad, a Nrthwestern University systems engineer and

More information

1Corinthians 15D. Up to v.28 Paul has argued three points: The first example is found in v.29. If it isn t true, why are you baptizing for the dead?

1Corinthians 15D. Up to v.28 Paul has argued three points: The first example is found in v.29. If it isn t true, why are you baptizing for the dead? 1Crinthians 15D The reality f Resurrectin is s imprtant t the church, that Paul reserved his lngest and mst detailed defense in the letter t this tpic Up t v.28 Paul has argued three pints: The hpe f resurrectin

More information

PITWM VERSE BY VERSE MATTHEW 13:24-33 LESSON: PARABLES OF GOD S JUST KINGDOM June 10, 2018

PITWM VERSE BY VERSE MATTHEW 13:24-33 LESSON: PARABLES OF GOD S JUST KINGDOM June 10, 2018 MATTHEW 13:24-33 LESSON: PARABLES OF GOD S JUST KINGDOM June 10, 2018 INTRODUCTION: Matthew 13:18-23 Jesus tells His first parable in this chapter cncerning the swer, the seed, and the sil: it s called

More information

Genesis 18B (2011) First was the issue of Sarah. More specifically, the issue is Sarah s faith or lack thereof

Genesis 18B (2011) First was the issue of Sarah. More specifically, the issue is Sarah s faith or lack thereof Genesis 18B (2011) As we began this chapter last week, I made mentin f tw utstanding issues in Abraham s relatinship that Gd must reslve befre the prmised child is brn First was the issue f Sarah Mre specifically,

More information

The Person of Christ

The Person of Christ THE ESSENTIALS The Persn f Christ Key Dctrines fr Starting and Finishing Strng LESSON 2 Part 2 As the print f the seal f the wax is the express image f the seal itself, s Christ is the express image the

More information

Leader s Prep Guide. Session Overview The Session Overview is a glance at some of the big picture details of each session.

Leader s Prep Guide. Session Overview The Session Overview is a glance at some of the big picture details of each session. Leader s Prep Guide The Leader s Prep Guide is a ne- page glimpse f the stuff yu need t knw t begin preparing t teach the Large Grup Sessin. Sessin Overview The Sessin Overview is a glance at sme f the

More information

Participant Reading Week Three PRAYER

Participant Reading Week Three PRAYER Participant Reading Week Three PRAYER There is a place f quiet rest near t the heart f Gd. Oh Jesus, blessed redeemer, sent frm the heart f Gd. Hld thse wh cme befre thee near t the heart f Gd. Cleland

More information

Worship in Communion 1 Corinthians 11:18-34

Worship in Communion 1 Corinthians 11:18-34 Blake Jennings Grace Bible Church Suthwd Wrship in Cmmunin 1 Crinthians 11:18-34 Cmmunin is abut s much mre than just bread and wine (r juice as the case may be!) It's a gift frm Gd the Father t help us

More information

Reverend Michael J. Yadron, Pastor Miss Emily Hackett, Director of Religious Education

Reverend Michael J. Yadron, Pastor Miss Emily Hackett, Director of Religious Education Reverend Michael J. Yadrn, Pastr Miss Emily Hackett, Directr f Religius Educatin There are different kinds f spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different frms f service but the same Lrd; there

More information

Ephesians 1D. For the last two weeks I addressed Paul s comments on God choosing us. And I knew it was (pre)destined to be controversial

Ephesians 1D. For the last two weeks I addressed Paul s comments on God choosing us. And I knew it was (pre)destined to be controversial Ephesians 1D Fr the last tw weeks I addressed Paul s cmments n Gd chsing us And I knew it was (pre)destined t be cntrversial But the fcus n that wrd als caused us t step away frm the big picture f Paul

More information

Adoption Know God as Father Series The Father s Aspiration From Sonship to Heirs

Adoption Know God as Father Series The Father s Aspiration From Sonship to Heirs Adptin Knw Gd as Father Series The Father s Aspiratin Frm Snship t Heirs Intrductin: Currently we are lking at the dctrine f adptin knwing Gd as Father. Our Church Fathers summarized the dctrine f adptin

More information

FELLOWSHIP & SHARING IN THE COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS

FELLOWSHIP & SHARING IN THE COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS FELLOWSHIP & SHARING IN THE COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS The idea f a "cmmn unity" between all thse wh belng t Jesus seems t be largely ignred, in these days. It may, at times, be acknwledged in the "thelgical"

More information