WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.899 Welcome to Ontario Community Church, 00:00:02.899 --> 00:00:04.799 where we're dedicated to encouraging, 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:07.799 equipping, and engaging lives for Christ. 00:00:07.799 --> 00:00:10.000 Located in Ontario, Oregon, 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:11.720 Pastor Patrick Daley preaches 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:13.800 insightful sermons from the Word of God, 00:00:13.800 --> 00:00:16.760 offering practical applications for modern living. 00:00:16.760 --> 00:00:19.800 We're delighted to share this sermon with you. 00:00:19.800 --> 00:00:23.120 All right. Well, good morning, everyone. 00:00:23.120 --> 00:00:27.080 Let's go ahead and head to our seats as we, 00:00:27.079 --> 00:00:30.479 we're going to begin our time. 00:00:33.719 --> 00:00:38.079 All right. Well, as we're heading to our seats, 00:00:38.079 --> 00:00:42.640 it's great to be here today as we are starting off with 00:00:42.640 --> 00:00:46.320 going deeper into the book of Colossians. 00:00:46.320 --> 00:00:48.000 You know, this last week, 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:52.959 we did a reading service where we did the public reading of scripture. 00:00:52.959 --> 00:00:55.480 And that is something that is so beautiful, 00:00:55.479 --> 00:00:58.000 where we as the church are actively 00:00:58.000 --> 00:01:01.719 participating in the reading of God's Word. 00:01:01.719 --> 00:01:04.560 We read together, we read from God's Word, 00:01:04.560 --> 00:01:08.280 and we went over the major themes of the book of Colossians. 00:01:08.280 --> 00:01:09.840 And not only, you know, 00:01:09.840 --> 00:01:16.159 the big thing is we can learn so much about what happened in the church at Colossae. 00:01:16.159 --> 00:01:18.120 And we have to think to ourselves, 00:01:18.120 --> 00:01:21.280 how can we apply these lessons today? 00:01:21.280 --> 00:01:26.200 What does it mean for the modern church as it did back then? 00:01:26.200 --> 00:01:27.879 We can learn so much. 00:01:27.879 --> 00:01:34.920 And what I'd like for us to do as we're going to begin from the chapter 1, verses 1 through 12, 00:01:34.920 --> 00:01:38.439 what I'd like to do is we're not going to reread it, 00:01:38.439 --> 00:01:45.560 but I'd like to invite you to open to the book of Colossians and feel free to follow along as we're doing an overview, 00:01:45.560 --> 00:01:47.439 going deeper into these verses. 00:01:47.439 --> 00:01:49.359 But before we do any of that, 00:01:49.359 --> 00:01:52.200 I'd like for us to just let's pray together, 00:01:52.200 --> 00:01:56.239 and let's ask God to be with us this morning, 00:01:56.239 --> 00:01:58.920 as we're going deeper into God's Word. 00:01:58.920 --> 00:02:03.760 And Heavenly Father, we gather together today as the body of Christ, 00:02:03.760 --> 00:02:07.280 as the assembly, as the church. 00:02:07.280 --> 00:02:12.639 We have just sung songs of praises to glorify your name, 00:02:12.639 --> 00:02:14.560 to worship and to honor you, 00:02:14.560 --> 00:02:18.639 and praise and thanksgiving for who you are. 00:02:18.639 --> 00:02:27.919 We ask that you reveal truth to us this morning as we're going into this expository sermon series of the book of Colossians. 00:02:27.919 --> 00:02:31.519 Father God, your Word is living and it's active. 00:02:31.519 --> 00:02:39.359 And we ask that the Holy Spirit will guide us in truth, in wisdom, in knowledge, and in understanding. 00:02:39.359 --> 00:02:43.759 We ask, Father, that you open our eyes to see the truth that is found in your Word, 00:02:43.759 --> 00:02:48.319 and open our hearts that we may live and love like you. 00:02:48.319 --> 00:02:53.439 May we have that relationship, and may we build on that foundation that exists in you. 00:02:53.439 --> 00:02:55.519 May our minds be changed to know you, 00:02:55.519 --> 00:03:00.079 and may you continue to work in and through us in our lives. 00:03:00.079 --> 00:03:04.639 Help us to not just learn these, these lessons, 00:03:04.639 --> 00:03:08.319 but let us learn to apply it to our own lives, 00:03:08.319 --> 00:03:10.159 and also to our church. 00:03:10.159 --> 00:03:13.439 May you bless this church. 00:03:13.439 --> 00:03:18.479 May we live it out, be with us this morning, Father. 00:03:18.479 --> 00:03:23.199 It is in Jesus' precious name that we pray, and we all say together, amen. 00:03:23.199 --> 00:03:27.840 You know, there is power in the name of Jesus Christ. 00:03:27.840 --> 00:03:31.599 The name of Jesus is above all names, right? 00:03:31.599 --> 00:03:33.840 There's a famous worship song that I think of. 00:03:33.840 --> 00:03:35.599 It's called, Why Does the Sky? 00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:40.479 And it's written by Matt, I think it's Matt Redman. 00:03:40.479 --> 00:03:46.159 And it says, Let all the other names fade away, and tell there is only you, Jesus. 00:03:46.159 --> 00:03:48.479 And tell there is only you. 00:03:48.479 --> 00:03:53.919 And that song, it makes you think for a moment that there are many other names that we hear about, right? 00:03:53.919 --> 00:03:58.719 We hear about our politicians, we hear about our co-workers and our families. 00:03:58.719 --> 00:04:03.759 But at the end of the day, it is the name of Jesus Christ that is transcendent. 00:04:03.759 --> 00:04:08.239 It is the name of Jesus Christ that is everlasting to everlasting. 00:04:08.240 --> 00:04:12.159 Much like how God's word will remain true. 00:04:12.159 --> 00:04:15.360 It remains as a constant. 00:04:15.360 --> 00:04:21.600 Christ reigns supreme as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, amen. 00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:26.720 These are things that are, they're critical truths to the Christian as well as the church. 00:04:26.720 --> 00:04:34.480 And they are truths that we are to preach and teach to the community and to those that are yet to believe. 00:04:34.480 --> 00:04:41.120 To be saved is to have faith and to place your trust in Jesus Christ. 00:04:41.120 --> 00:04:46.480 And it isn't we believe when we believe in him, we are saved upon salvation. 00:04:46.480 --> 00:04:52.800 We're called to live out our faith, not to have a dead faith, but to have an active faith, 00:04:52.800 --> 00:04:59.280 to live and love like Christ in our everyday interactions with people and with culture, right? 00:04:59.279 --> 00:05:09.839 Our community and as a Christian and as the church, don't you want to be known as being faithful to the Lord? 00:05:09.839 --> 00:05:17.119 Don't you want to be known for exhibiting the love of Christ to those around you, your neighbor? 00:05:17.119 --> 00:05:20.079 Have you considered who your neighbor is? 00:05:20.079 --> 00:05:24.479 How do you interact with your literal next door neighbor if you have one? 00:05:24.480 --> 00:05:31.040 How do you interact with the people that you meet in the grocery store, the people that you, 00:05:31.040 --> 00:05:33.759 you know, maybe the person that cuts you off, right? 00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:36.080 How do you interact with those people, right? 00:05:36.080 --> 00:05:40.319 How do you interact with your neighbor when they may not agree with what you believe in? 00:05:40.319 --> 00:05:44.319 That's a question to think of when we are exhibiting the love of Christ. 00:05:44.319 --> 00:05:46.640 But it's still the question that I want you to think about. 00:05:46.640 --> 00:05:51.759 Don't you want to be known for being faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ and exhibiting love 00:05:51.759 --> 00:05:56.000 to your neighbor, to other believers and to the nonbeliever as well? 00:05:56.000 --> 00:06:04.480 We are to be known for that faithfulness to the Lord and we should also be known to stand on the truth of the Word of God. 00:06:04.480 --> 00:06:08.000 We should deal with others in love. 00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:11.920 It is this balance between grace and truth, right? 00:06:11.920 --> 00:06:13.199 Love and truth. 00:06:13.199 --> 00:06:17.839 Standing on the truth of the Word of God and dealing with others in love. 00:06:17.839 --> 00:06:23.679 When we live our lives in faithfulness to Christ and deal with others in truth and love, 00:06:23.679 --> 00:06:26.560 I can guarantee you that people will see that. 00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:30.639 There's a famous song, I believe it's from the 1960s that says, 00:06:30.639 --> 00:06:34.479 They will know we are Christians by our love. 00:06:34.479 --> 00:06:36.719 By our love. 00:06:36.719 --> 00:06:45.279 Yes, they will know we are Christians because the love that we have received from Jesus Christ is a radical type of love. 00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:52.479 And the love that we are to share with other people while standing in truth is a radical type of love. 00:06:52.479 --> 00:06:55.119 And you know what's so interesting? 00:06:55.119 --> 00:07:04.079 That is what the apostle Paul is commending, what he is appreciating for the church in Colossi. 00:07:04.079 --> 00:07:05.759 That's what's happening here. 00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:09.039 And we begin with verses one through verses two, right? 00:07:09.039 --> 00:07:12.159 You have Paul's introduction. 00:07:12.160 --> 00:07:16.080 Paul is establishing himself as the apostle Paul, right? 00:07:16.080 --> 00:07:18.320 He is giving his credentials. 00:07:18.320 --> 00:07:23.280 And in your notes, you're going to see there's many verses in which there's too many to go over, 00:07:23.280 --> 00:07:27.840 but there's many verses in which Paul establishes his apostleship. 00:07:27.840 --> 00:07:31.360 He references himself as an apostle. 00:07:31.360 --> 00:07:36.879 It's very common to note that he was called to be an apostle. 00:07:36.879 --> 00:07:44.959 And Paul testifies to the power of God when God intervened in his life on the road to Damascus. 00:07:44.959 --> 00:07:48.159 Paul is saying that he is an apostle of Jesus Christ. 00:07:48.159 --> 00:07:51.120 He's not an apostle of anyone else but Jesus Christ. 00:07:51.120 --> 00:07:53.680 That's a fundamental truth. 00:07:53.680 --> 00:07:56.480 He is apostle of Jesus Christ. 00:07:56.480 --> 00:08:00.480 And this apostleship was set forth by the will of God. 00:08:00.480 --> 00:08:02.639 It was that he was commissioned by Christ. 00:08:02.639 --> 00:08:05.279 He was one that was sent. 00:08:05.279 --> 00:08:13.279 Then we see continuing in verse one, there's the mention of Timothy, who is mentioned as our brother. 00:08:13.279 --> 00:08:18.879 Of course, in reading this, this is the mention that Timothy is a brother in Christ, 00:08:18.879 --> 00:08:22.799 but he's also a brother in the ministry that Paul is doing. 00:08:22.799 --> 00:08:25.599 So there's this distinction here. 00:08:25.599 --> 00:08:34.559 There's a difference between Paul's unique role and Timothy as the partner in ministry as a brother in Christ. 00:08:34.559 --> 00:08:35.679 That's something to note. 00:08:35.679 --> 00:08:40.879 And you'll also see that in your notes as well when it's talking about Timothy. 00:08:40.879 --> 00:08:43.279 There's many reference verses on here. 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:49.039 And so we can see here that Paul is the one who is establishing himself as the author of the letter 00:08:49.039 --> 00:08:52.639 and establishing himself as the apostle. 00:08:52.639 --> 00:08:58.079 He wrote the letter and he's referencing Timothy who's been with him in the ministry. 00:08:58.079 --> 00:09:00.799 And it goes on in verse two. 00:09:00.799 --> 00:09:04.399 It's speaking of who this letter is written to. 00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:05.679 Right? 00:09:05.679 --> 00:09:07.840 Hey, you're writing this letter, Paul. 00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:08.720 Who is it written to? 00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:09.039 Right? 00:09:09.039 --> 00:09:13.759 It's written to the saints and the faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae. 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:20.879 In other words, in reading this, we can see that this letter is written to faithful brethren or faithful brothers, 00:09:20.879 --> 00:09:21.120 right? 00:09:21.120 --> 00:09:25.279 Those that are following Christ and to the saints, the believers, right? 00:09:25.279 --> 00:09:28.000 The people who are at the church at Colossae. 00:09:28.960 --> 00:09:33.120 Now, some of you may be asking the question of where this church is located. 00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:37.200 It is located in modern-day Turkey and I must have forgotten the slide. 00:09:37.200 --> 00:09:38.480 I have to apologize. 00:09:38.480 --> 00:09:43.600 But there is a location and maybe next week I'll actually have the map here. 00:09:43.600 --> 00:09:51.679 But in Turkey, there is a little town where there's remnants of Colossae. 00:09:51.679 --> 00:09:56.639 And in fact, there's a sign there that is written in a language that I don't speak. 00:09:56.639 --> 00:10:02.560 But basically, if you translate it, it's saying that the city was destroyed by the 00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:04.239 emperor Nero. 00:10:04.239 --> 00:10:05.919 And it's a historical site. 00:10:05.919 --> 00:10:11.519 It's not a site that's, you know, how you visit landmarks and sometimes you have really 00:10:11.519 --> 00:10:14.959 nice signs and it explains explicitly what's going on. 00:10:14.959 --> 00:10:20.479 And other times, you know, the other day I was at the organ trail and there was a sign 00:10:20.479 --> 00:10:25.759 there and it was supposed to say what the significance of this part of the organ trail 00:10:25.759 --> 00:10:27.599 was, but there was nothing there. 00:10:27.599 --> 00:10:30.159 And unfortunately, that's how it is in Colossae. 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:38.559 Here's a very historic site and it's not only are there ruins of what once was there, but 00:10:38.559 --> 00:10:40.879 you can't really tell what the sign is saying. 00:10:40.879 --> 00:10:45.879 But from what I could gather online, it's saying that this city was once an existence 00:10:45.879 --> 00:10:47.600 and it no longer is. 00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:51.279 And such a historic site, you would think there would be more people who would visit 00:10:51.279 --> 00:10:57.199 there, but that is what people believe is to be where Colossae was. 00:10:57.200 --> 00:11:04.440 In other words, it was a small, a small city that isn't in existence anymore. 00:11:04.440 --> 00:11:06.800 And it makes me think for a moment here. 00:11:06.800 --> 00:11:14.960 Here is a church that the apostle Paul did not visit, but yet he cared so much about. 00:11:14.960 --> 00:11:19.600 And so often we think about, you know, in the church world, we think so much about the 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:22.720 large mega churches that are out there. 00:11:22.720 --> 00:11:25.120 But what about the small churches? 00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:27.160 What about the ones that are faithful to the Lord? 00:11:27.159 --> 00:11:33.000 Well, so much so, it was so important for Paul to write this letter to commend this small 00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:39.279 church in Colossae about the faithfulness and the love to others. 00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:44.360 And so that's just a very good fact, but perhaps next week or all post about the map on there, 00:11:44.360 --> 00:11:46.079 but there are ruins there. 00:11:46.079 --> 00:11:50.879 So the apostle Paul goes on to say, grace to you and peace from God our Father. 00:11:50.879 --> 00:11:54.240 And this was a common thing that the apostle Paul would say. 00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:59.279 And for those of you who may remember the biblical exposition that I did in Philemon, 00:11:59.279 --> 00:12:02.279 I provided a chart which is on your notes. 00:12:02.279 --> 00:12:04.680 It shows what the apostle Paul would write. 00:12:04.680 --> 00:12:07.000 You'd write the words grace, peace and mercy. 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:09.159 And there's quite a bunch of verses in there. 00:12:09.159 --> 00:12:13.480 We're not going to go through all of them, but it is for your reference to see grace, 00:12:13.480 --> 00:12:17.720 peace and sometimes he would say grace, mercy and peace. 00:12:17.720 --> 00:12:23.519 And this just helps us to understand the style that the apostle Paul had when he was writing. 00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:30.240 And so in the context of the book of Colossians, Paul is wishing that God's grace, that God's 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:36.639 favor, the unmerited undeserved favor would be upon this church. 00:12:36.639 --> 00:12:41.600 And when we think of the peace, we think of the peace that surpasses all understanding. 00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:45.840 You know, there's a peace that is divine that comes from God. 00:12:45.840 --> 00:12:50.419 When bad things happen in your life, when you're in a crisis, when it seems like everything 00:12:50.419 --> 00:12:55.719 is just crumbling, there's a peace that God gives you and people don't understand it. 00:12:55.719 --> 00:13:01.519 That's a radical type of peace, just like how God gives us this radical type of love. 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:05.439 So grace and peace that surpasses all understanding. 00:13:05.439 --> 00:13:11.959 Paul is wishing for the Christians at Colossae to experience God's favor and peace that comes 00:13:11.959 --> 00:13:12.959 from you. 00:13:12.959 --> 00:13:15.679 I mean, that's a wonderful way to open a letter. 00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:20.839 These are the first two verses that help set up the scene for Paul establishing his authority, 00:13:20.839 --> 00:13:25.519 the mentioning of Timothy, the brother and the Christians who are at the church at Colossae 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:31.559 to the church that they receive and continue to receive the grace that comes from God and 00:13:31.559 --> 00:13:37.359 the peace that comes from God, our Father, grace and peace come from the Lord. 00:13:37.359 --> 00:13:43.039 It is in mentioning this truth that God offers grace from his son, Jesus. 00:13:43.039 --> 00:13:46.559 You know, when you hear the words grace and peace, right? 00:13:46.559 --> 00:13:48.319 Grace comes from God, our Father. 00:13:48.319 --> 00:13:55.879 We should also wish that people come to know this amazing grace that comes from the Lord, 00:13:55.879 --> 00:13:59.799 that there is this grace that is received by believing in him, just like in Ephesians, 00:13:59.799 --> 00:14:01.679 chapter two, verse eight. 00:14:01.679 --> 00:14:06.500 And of course, upon believing in him, it is the continued grace, the peace that surpasses 00:14:06.500 --> 00:14:10.839 all understanding or the inexpressible inexhaustible joy that comes from him. 00:14:10.840 --> 00:14:13.600 There's many benefits in knowing the Lord. 00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:15.800 What a wonderful God we believe in. 00:14:15.800 --> 00:14:21.399 This then takes us to our next, uh, verses three for verses four, where Paul is saying 00:14:21.399 --> 00:14:25.840 that we thank God when we pray for you. 00:14:25.840 --> 00:14:31.960 It goes in that they are thanking God for the faithfulness that this small church, right, 00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:37.440 this small church that Paul has never visited, he's thanking God for the faithfulness this 00:14:37.440 --> 00:14:45.280 church has towards Jesus Christ and the love that they have for the saints or the believers. 00:14:45.280 --> 00:14:47.560 That is significant. 00:14:47.560 --> 00:14:50.560 The we that we're talking about, it could be Paul and Timothy. 00:14:50.560 --> 00:14:55.280 That's what most scholars believe it can be Paul and Epaphors, or it could be those that 00:14:55.280 --> 00:14:59.800 are with him in the ministry or even those who are with him in prison. 00:14:59.800 --> 00:15:06.560 Most likely it is concluded that it is Paul and Timothy, the we that is thanking the Lord. 00:15:06.559 --> 00:15:13.239 Whoever Paul is with it's showing how important it is to thank the Lord. 00:15:13.239 --> 00:15:16.279 And I want to make this abundantly clear. 00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:21.559 We thank God when we are in a church that is faithful to the Lord. 00:15:21.559 --> 00:15:25.119 We thank God when truth is being taught. 00:15:25.119 --> 00:15:32.079 It is it is like how we need to appreciate a church that studies the word of God. 00:15:32.079 --> 00:15:34.479 It sounds too simple, right? 00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:38.639 But how often do other churches not focus on the things of God? 00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:43.320 How easy is it for someone to focus on the things that divide us and not on the core 00:15:43.320 --> 00:15:46.039 tenants of the faith, right? 00:15:46.039 --> 00:15:51.200 When we're thinking of the death, the burial and the resurrection of Jesus Christ or John 00:15:51.200 --> 00:15:58.000 3 16 for God so loved the world that whosoever believes shall not perish but have eternal 00:15:58.000 --> 00:16:00.000 life. 00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:01.480 How easy is it? 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:07.920 I mean, I'm sure many of us have heard of a church that deviated from the truth of God's 00:16:07.920 --> 00:16:14.879 word or maybe a church that didn't focus on loving one another, that didn't focus on 00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:19.120 caring for its own, let alone caring for the community. 00:16:19.120 --> 00:16:23.680 So when we consider the fact that Paul is thanking God for the faithfulness that this 00:16:23.680 --> 00:16:30.840 church had towards Jesus Christ, we too should thank the Lord when we are faithful to the 00:16:30.840 --> 00:16:38.399 Lord and we should pray for continued faithfulness of our church. 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:42.720 The love that they have for the saints of the believers, the care and the love, the 00:16:42.720 --> 00:16:46.360 love that is shown from Jesus Christ should be exhibited. 00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:50.620 It should be shown to other people as well. 00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:51.620 That's very powerful. 00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:57.759 It's a great encouragement for Paul and not only and also for us as readers. 00:16:57.759 --> 00:17:04.160 It should be a reminder for us that we as the church are to be faithful to the Lord 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:07.480 and to share that love of Jesus Christ to believers. 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:11.400 And that also extends to the community. 00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:12.680 Right? 00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:19.559 Stand in the truth of the word of God and you invite people to come to church. 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:26.799 You know, this week I went to a conference in Boise and one of the things that I learned 00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:32.159 in this conference, it's called Exiles in Babylon and it was going over all the controversial 00:17:32.159 --> 00:17:35.440 things that are happening in Christianity. 00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:42.039 But one of the main takeaways that I learned from this and it's applicable here. 00:17:42.039 --> 00:17:44.039 How many of you have heard the word accept? 00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:47.039 Can you just accept me for who I am? 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:48.399 Right? 00:17:48.399 --> 00:17:50.839 And unfortunately that word's been robbed. 00:17:50.839 --> 00:17:51.839 Right? 00:17:51.839 --> 00:17:57.159 That the word acceptance has a very different meaning in the postmodern day context. 00:17:57.159 --> 00:18:03.799 But did you know in the Greek, the word accept means to invite someone? 00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:09.559 So when we are accepting someone, it's come on in into the doors of the church. 00:18:09.559 --> 00:18:13.839 So in other words, it's extending an invitation to someone. 00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:21.359 That's very different than how I understood and how I understand the word acceptance nowadays. 00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:23.799 So let's think for a moment. 00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:29.519 When we're thinking about the love for our brothers and sisters in Christ, let us think 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:35.319 about the Greek definition or even the biblical definition of acceptance. 00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:38.919 It is an invitation for the community to come through these doors. 00:18:38.919 --> 00:18:43.919 It is an invitation for those who are yet to believe or those who do not believe or 00:18:43.919 --> 00:18:50.519 those who have been hurt, those who are struggling with addiction or those who they have their 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:51.519 issues. 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:53.079 Don't we all have our own issues? 00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:58.480 The invitation is to come to the doors and experience the love of Jesus Christ, the love 00:18:58.480 --> 00:19:02.440 that we have as a church for one another. 00:19:02.440 --> 00:19:05.279 That's the kind of church that I want to be a part of. 00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:09.759 And I can tell you, there are many people who are searching for that kind of radical 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:13.920 love that comes from the Lord. 00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:17.519 That's something to really keep in mind. 00:19:17.519 --> 00:19:22.400 It is a wonderful thing that Paul is celebrating and thanking God for that faithfulness and 00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:23.400 love. 00:19:23.400 --> 00:19:27.079 That leads us to verse five now, which we're going to go ahead and put on the screen that 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:29.599 hope comes from the gospel. 00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:33.519 Excuse me, I have a little bit of a cough here. 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:41.759 So verse five goes on in explaining that the church is faithful to the Lord and exhibits 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:47.200 the love of Christ because the hope that is laid up in heaven. 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:52.400 This is speaking about how in a believer, we're saved by grace through faith, there 00:19:52.400 --> 00:19:59.200 is the promise of eternal life, eternal security. 00:19:59.200 --> 00:20:01.960 It's just like when you put your money in a bank. 00:20:01.960 --> 00:20:06.680 You don't want that bank to go bankrupt, no pun intended there. 00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:10.319 You want to make sure your money is stored and it's secure. 00:20:10.319 --> 00:20:14.920 You don't want to hear about a thief breaking in and stealing all your money or stealing 00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:17.600 money from the bank and you don't get your money back. 00:20:17.600 --> 00:20:21.440 I think of, what is that movie? 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:25.240 Is it Sound of Music? 00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:26.240 Give me back my money. 00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:31.200 It's the top, there's this little scene, Feed the Birds, the Toppins, the Birds. 00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:32.200 Is that Mary Poppins? 00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:37.200 It's an old movie where they run out of money and they end up closing the bank. 00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:38.200 Is that Mary Poppins? 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:40.960 Okay, that just came to my mind here. 00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:43.800 You don't want to have that scene where you want to go to the bank and you want to get 00:20:43.799 --> 00:20:45.119 your money back and you can't have it. 00:20:45.119 --> 00:20:46.680 That's the point here, right? 00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:49.759 We think of terms of salvation here though. 00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:52.799 We have to think that there's eternal security, right? 00:20:52.799 --> 00:20:56.039 That no one can snatch you out of the hand of God. 00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:59.559 That there's nothing that can separate you from the love of Jesus Christ. 00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:01.319 That is true security. 00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:04.639 I'm sorry, when you put your money in the bank, that bank might close. 00:21:04.639 --> 00:21:10.200 I know it gets secured by the FDIC, but that's still very different than the treasure that 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:11.879 we have in heaven. 00:21:11.879 --> 00:21:12.879 Amen. 00:21:12.880 --> 00:21:18.000 That's something that is very, very remarkable, right? 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:23.040 We are saved by grace through faith and there is a hope that is laid up in heaven, the promise 00:21:23.040 --> 00:21:31.240 of eternal life, the future resurrection and being the ability to live forever in the presence 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:33.120 of God. 00:21:33.120 --> 00:21:39.840 The laying up, it speaks of security that exists in Christ beyond the security of a bank, beyond 00:21:39.840 --> 00:21:42.440 the security that exists here in this world. 00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:45.320 The security of Christ is eternal. 00:21:45.320 --> 00:21:50.360 It is for here on this earth, but it extends beyond this world. 00:21:50.360 --> 00:21:56.799 It's an assurance, a promise, a reservation, if you will, because salvation does not fade 00:21:56.799 --> 00:21:58.860 away. 00:21:58.860 --> 00:22:03.680 We go from this physical life into the spiritual realm. 00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:09.920 There's this transition that happens in life as we become more like Christ. 00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:14.000 The apostle Paul is going on and speaking to that. 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:18.480 The church has heard of this in the word of truth, the gospel. 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:24.320 Now the word of truth is another way of explaining what the gospel is, right? 00:22:24.320 --> 00:22:29.480 It is saying, you've probably heard the phrase before, the gospel truth, right? 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:34.560 It's very similar in saying that, which is in turn the good news about Jesus Christ and 00:22:34.560 --> 00:22:37.279 the hope that we have in him. 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:41.839 Because let me tell you, there is hope for you. 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:49.200 There is hope for your friends and your family in knowing Jesus Christ, because hope comes 00:22:49.200 --> 00:22:51.079 from the word of truth. 00:22:51.079 --> 00:22:54.480 Hope comes from the gospel. 00:22:54.480 --> 00:23:01.160 And for some of us, this may be new to hear about the hope that comes from Jesus Christ. 00:23:01.160 --> 00:23:04.359 Have you heard the word of truth? 00:23:04.359 --> 00:23:07.959 Have you heard the gospel message? 00:23:07.959 --> 00:23:13.759 Do you know that our Lord, our God loves us so much that he sent Jesus Christ to this 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:20.519 earth that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life that Christ 00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:26.199 came to earth in the form of a man who lived, performed miracles, taught many parables, 00:23:26.199 --> 00:23:30.839 died and was buried and on the third day rose again from the dead. 00:23:30.839 --> 00:23:34.759 First Corinthians, Chapter 15, verses one through four is a really remarkable verse 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:37.359 that speaks to all this. 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:42.639 Do you realize that the Old Testament points to the mystery of Christ, which gets revealed 00:23:42.639 --> 00:23:43.639 in the New Testament? 00:23:43.639 --> 00:23:49.879 We'll go further into that as we go along in Colossians, the mystery of Christ being 00:23:49.879 --> 00:23:54.319 revealed, that God hid away what was to come. 00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:59.439 And we as the church nowadays get to discover that. 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:06.559 Again, I have to tell you that Colossians is not only a book that is that points to 00:24:06.559 --> 00:24:13.600 Christ, but it is a book that is about the attributes, the characteristics and the significance 00:24:13.600 --> 00:24:14.600 of Christ. 00:24:14.600 --> 00:24:19.039 Let's go to verse six, bearing fruit from knowing God. 00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:23.680 In verse six, we find that Paul goes on to say that the gospel has come to you and the 00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:26.480 gospel has come into the whole world. 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:31.559 And this speaks not only of how the gospel message has reached this specific church in 00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:39.680 Colossae, but also how Christ was revealed to both the Gentile and the Jew. 00:24:39.680 --> 00:24:46.319 It's speaking of the revelation of Christ, the mystery that was once hidden. 00:24:46.319 --> 00:24:53.799 And because of the gospel coming to the whole world, to the church, it is bearing fruit. 00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:55.200 Does that make sense? 00:24:55.200 --> 00:24:56.299 Right? 00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:58.200 It is increasing. 00:24:58.200 --> 00:25:03.200 So the gospel is coming to the world and it is bearing fruit, right? 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:06.799 Much like how we have our own, we should all bear fruit. 00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:08.879 We either bear good fruit or bad fruit, right? 00:25:08.879 --> 00:25:11.039 We don't like eating a rotten apple. 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:15.119 And if you do, there's got to try a good apple, right? 00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:16.200 We like good fruit. 00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:20.839 Can you think of the last time when you had a really nice, juicy apple and you took a 00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:24.720 bite and you went, and it was the most tasty thing ever? 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:26.200 We liked that. 00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:28.720 Go to will we produce fruit? 00:25:28.720 --> 00:25:33.559 And when we're talking about this verse here, it's talking about the church bearing fruit 00:25:33.559 --> 00:25:38.240 and increasing because the gospel message is being proclaimed. 00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:44.000 It is being preached and it's being taught to the masses and it has the power. 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:45.000 Listen to this. 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:53.400 The gospel has the power to transform lives back then as it does now and it will in the 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:54.480 future. 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:59.160 That is the consistency of the power of the gospel message. 00:25:59.160 --> 00:26:05.400 That is the consistency of Christ being the word and that is the consistency of how our 00:26:05.400 --> 00:26:07.880 God never fails us. 00:26:07.880 --> 00:26:13.759 That how our Lord has revealed salvation and there are benefits from knowing the Lord and 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:18.480 the more we seek God, the closer we get to him. 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:23.039 I want to bear good fruit and I hope that you do as well. 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:27.680 The apostle Paul goes on saying that since you've heard it and understood the grace of 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:32.399 God in truth, because you hear this gospel message. 00:26:32.399 --> 00:26:38.039 Look when you change your mind about who Jesus Christ is and you believe in him, when you 00:26:38.039 --> 00:26:44.359 have faith in him, when you place your trust in him, you will be on a path of increasing 00:26:44.359 --> 00:26:49.960 in the Lord and coming to know the Lord and bearing fruit. 00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:52.720 Don't just remain a child. 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:59.160 Don't just remain a spiritual and a new baby in the Lord beyond a path of growing, much 00:26:59.160 --> 00:27:03.759 like how our physical bodies, we get older, right? 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:05.240 Our backs start hurting. 00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:08.319 We're always sore, right? 00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:10.079 We mature though. 00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:19.440 So too should we mature in our spiritual walk with the Lord. 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:27.720 When we become a believer, we are placed on a path of spiritual maturity and this all happens 00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:35.200 from the word of God and it's important in the early church to come to know the Lord and 00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:41.039 to grow in him, but it's also important for us in this postmodern age. 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:44.559 There's so much division that exists nowadays. 00:27:44.559 --> 00:27:47.200 So many distractions. 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:49.880 You know, I mentioned the conference that I went to. 00:27:49.880 --> 00:27:55.319 There was a lot of controversial topics that were being discussed. 00:27:55.319 --> 00:28:03.759 There was certain things that can be very divisive, but you know, what's more important 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:09.680 than divisiveness and politics and trends and cultural things that are happening in this 00:28:09.680 --> 00:28:14.319 world is that we focus on Christ. 00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:22.559 That should be our main aim is to focus on him and the truth that is found in his word, 00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:29.039 that we it is important for us as the church in this postmodern age, postmodern age, that's 00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:36.079 a handful that we come to faith in Christ, that we extend that acceptance or in other 00:28:36.079 --> 00:28:42.879 words, let's just call it what it is an invitation to come to know the Lord and to grow in him. 00:28:42.880 --> 00:28:43.880 It's wonderful. 00:28:43.880 --> 00:28:50.040 It is that it is wonderful to know the Lord and to grow in him and also to know that we 00:28:50.040 --> 00:28:53.200 will bear up fruit. 00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:57.520 This leads us to verses seven and verses eight. 00:28:57.520 --> 00:29:02.200 Verse seven speaks about how Paul is talking about Epiphras, who is a key individual in 00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:03.680 the early church. 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:07.200 It was he who taught these things to the church in Colossae. 00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:12.600 Not only did this man teach the church, but because of this man's influence, because of 00:29:12.599 --> 00:29:19.319 him being a leader in this church, the church responded by being faithful to the Lord. 00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:26.279 It wasn't a focus on him as a man, but it was pointing the church to focus on Christ, 00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:28.759 to focus on the truth. 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:31.279 And we can think about that today, right? 00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:34.039 Don't focus on the keynote speaker. 00:29:34.039 --> 00:29:35.799 Don't focus on the pastor. 00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:40.679 Focus on your relationship with Christ and focus on that faithfulness to him. 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:42.799 That is what's important. 00:29:42.799 --> 00:29:47.019 The church became faithful to the Lord and they exhibited that love of Christ to others 00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:50.920 so much so that church was bearing fruit. 00:29:50.920 --> 00:29:53.000 Individuals in the church were bearing fruit. 00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:57.320 The epiphras, he had to tell the apostle Paul of what was going on here. 00:29:57.320 --> 00:30:01.720 And we see epiphras only in Colossians and Philemon. 00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:07.120 You'll see that in your notes as well. 00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:12.879 Only a couple of times, but yet God saw to it that he had to be in the Word of God for 00:30:12.879 --> 00:30:15.359 us to read and to study. 00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:19.639 Then there's verse nine here, the prayer for increasing. 00:30:19.639 --> 00:30:24.639 It goes to verse nine where the apostle Paul is saying that since they have heard about 00:30:24.639 --> 00:30:30.039 the faithfulness and love that Colossae is exhibiting, they have not ceased to pray for 00:30:30.039 --> 00:30:32.439 this church. 00:30:32.439 --> 00:30:36.559 We pray for the churches in the treasure Valley. 00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:38.319 At least we should. 00:30:38.319 --> 00:30:45.519 We should pray that truth is being taught and that if there is any deviance from the 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:51.759 Word of God or the truth of the Word of God, pray to get back on track. 00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:56.679 It makes me think of this wonderful analogy of a boat that's out on sea. 00:30:56.679 --> 00:30:58.799 You have to course correct from time to time. 00:30:58.799 --> 00:31:03.559 In fact, you have to course correct all the time because if you go three degrees the wrong 00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:09.679 direction, if you're out and see your, come on, let's go back on track. 00:31:09.679 --> 00:31:13.639 You might go in a completely different direction. 00:31:13.639 --> 00:31:19.599 The point is we should just like how Paul was doing, we should continue to pray for 00:31:19.599 --> 00:31:22.679 the faithfulness of the church, right? 00:31:22.679 --> 00:31:28.039 The collective church and also for our own church to remain faithful to the Lord. 00:31:28.039 --> 00:31:31.839 It's a wonderful encouragement to see what is happening from the words of Paul and it's 00:31:31.839 --> 00:31:38.119 an encouragement for us today that when there is a church that is faithful to the Lord Jesus 00:31:38.119 --> 00:31:43.000 Christ and exhibiting that love of Christ to others, we should pray. 00:31:43.000 --> 00:31:45.720 We should thank God for that church. 00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:52.919 This leads us to verse 10 and 11 live a fruit bearing life. 00:31:52.919 --> 00:31:59.319 The apostle Paul is saying that he is praying that this church will be filled with the knowledge, 00:31:59.319 --> 00:32:05.099 the knowledge of God's will and all spiritual wisdom and understanding so that they can 00:32:05.099 --> 00:32:10.000 walk in a manner that is worthy of the Lord fully pleasing to him. 00:32:10.000 --> 00:32:13.279 And Paul is speaking about how he wishes for this church. 00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:14.439 Check this out. 00:32:14.439 --> 00:32:20.839 He is wishing for this church to continue on the trajectory that they are on in a good, 00:32:20.839 --> 00:32:25.159 godly, fruit bearing positive trajectory. 00:32:25.160 --> 00:32:31.160 The growth in the knowledge of the Lord is about the ability to learn the word of God, 00:32:31.160 --> 00:32:38.279 apply the word of God, but also the ability to discern right from wrong. 00:32:38.279 --> 00:32:43.880 You know, the more you study the word of God, the more you'll start seeing patterns that 00:32:43.880 --> 00:32:49.840 existed not only in scripture, but you'll see patterns that exist in the world today, 00:32:49.840 --> 00:32:51.400 right? 00:32:51.400 --> 00:32:59.120 And sometimes we, as we increase in our discernment from right and wrong, we can, sometimes you 00:32:59.120 --> 00:33:04.840 hear someone say something and your ears perk up and you're like, yeah, that's true, but 00:33:04.840 --> 00:33:07.600 I don't know about this, right? 00:33:07.600 --> 00:33:09.400 Might be the Holy Spirit's kind of tugging at you. 00:33:09.400 --> 00:33:11.320 Have you ever felt that way before? 00:33:11.320 --> 00:33:14.920 I hope you haven't felt that way about me, and if so, let me know. 00:33:14.920 --> 00:33:18.360 I will repent of any wrong I have done. 00:33:18.359 --> 00:33:24.279 But seriously though, there are times you might hear a famous writer or a famous theologian 00:33:24.279 --> 00:33:32.439 or pastor and they're preaching and you hear something and you're like, yeah, that's true. 00:33:32.439 --> 00:33:33.439 That's true. 00:33:33.439 --> 00:33:37.000 I don't know what you meant when you said that and it just really bugs you, right? 00:33:37.000 --> 00:33:39.199 That's discernment right there. 00:33:39.199 --> 00:33:45.119 Or sometimes you just, you feel moved by the spirit to talk to someone about your relationship 00:33:45.119 --> 00:33:46.119 in the Lord. 00:33:46.119 --> 00:33:52.359 I know I've told you guys about the homeless man in the city of Fullerton when I didn't 00:33:52.359 --> 00:33:56.199 respond and how that made an impact on my life. 00:33:56.199 --> 00:34:00.439 Even to this day, what if I actually had talked to that man? 00:34:00.439 --> 00:34:08.319 I felt this pull to share in the gospel message with him, but I didn't have enough time and 00:34:08.319 --> 00:34:10.119 oh, I regret that. 00:34:10.119 --> 00:34:11.719 I regret that. 00:34:11.719 --> 00:34:18.599 But going back to this, the ability to discern right from wrong, this can be supported when 00:34:18.599 --> 00:34:22.519 Paul is speaking of spiritual wisdom and understanding. 00:34:22.519 --> 00:34:28.559 And by praying for this, Paul is asking that this church will continue again in its trajectory 00:34:28.559 --> 00:34:34.599 and following in the footsteps of Christ, following God's will and God's way for this 00:34:34.599 --> 00:34:35.599 church. 00:34:35.599 --> 00:34:39.159 Do you realize that God has a purpose for your life? 00:34:39.159 --> 00:34:45.359 Do you realize that you're made in the image of God and that God loves you? 00:34:45.359 --> 00:34:50.519 God has a plan for you and a divine purpose for you in the same way. 00:34:50.519 --> 00:34:55.879 God has a plan and a purpose for each and every church. 00:34:55.879 --> 00:35:02.159 And part of that plan, of course, is to preach and teach from the word and stay true to that. 00:35:02.159 --> 00:35:04.839 But sometimes you find specializations, right? 00:35:04.840 --> 00:35:10.200 Some things that certain ministries that churches are more focused on than others. 00:35:10.200 --> 00:35:16.440 It just really depends on what God has planned for this specific church. 00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:20.200 God wants for the church to focus on truth, right? 00:35:20.200 --> 00:35:26.079 To have people come to believe in him, but also that there will be disciples, people 00:35:26.079 --> 00:35:29.200 that have this curiosity, right? 00:35:29.200 --> 00:35:33.760 Just like how the word disciple means to be a student. 00:35:33.760 --> 00:35:38.200 To be a lifelong student of the word. 00:35:38.200 --> 00:35:42.680 That's very good to baptize believers and to remain faithful in him. 00:35:42.680 --> 00:35:45.400 And as I've mentioned before, it is about the ability. 00:35:45.400 --> 00:35:53.280 You're going to hear this from me all the time standing on the truth, standing in truth 00:35:53.280 --> 00:35:56.480 and dealing in love. 00:35:56.480 --> 00:36:00.600 And so Paul is saying that he is praying for this church that it will be pleasing to the 00:36:00.600 --> 00:36:02.100 Lord. 00:36:02.099 --> 00:36:06.639 I hope that you all desire to have a life that is pleasing for the Lord. 00:36:06.639 --> 00:36:16.000 And I also hope that what we do here in this church is pleasing to the Lord and that we 00:36:16.000 --> 00:36:22.000 collectively will walk in a way that is worthy of the Lord in the walking. 00:36:22.000 --> 00:36:25.839 There is the following following Christ, right? 00:36:25.840 --> 00:36:33.440 Just as Christ went up to Matthew, the tax collector and said, follow me, right? 00:36:33.440 --> 00:36:38.800 Are we following the Lord in his calling in the walking with him? 00:36:38.800 --> 00:36:43.480 There is the doing much like how the word of God says we need to be hearers of the word 00:36:43.480 --> 00:36:45.760 and doers of the word. 00:36:45.760 --> 00:36:51.519 Believe first, be saved and upon that salvation do. 00:36:51.519 --> 00:36:57.039 In the words, indeed, Paul is praying that the church in Colossae will bear fruit in 00:36:57.039 --> 00:37:00.199 every good work and increase in the knowledge of God. 00:37:00.199 --> 00:37:02.480 I want to know more about my Bible. 00:37:02.480 --> 00:37:05.400 I want to know more about the Lord. 00:37:05.400 --> 00:37:09.440 You know, I feel like the more that I learn about scripture, the more I realize I don't 00:37:09.440 --> 00:37:10.639 know. 00:37:10.639 --> 00:37:15.159 And that's okay because that's part of learning. 00:37:15.159 --> 00:37:20.280 It's part of knowing the Lord is knowing that you don't know everything. 00:37:20.280 --> 00:37:23.200 But that's why there's this lifelong process. 00:37:23.200 --> 00:37:27.560 And I can tell you when I go to heaven, I have a lot of questions to ask the Lord. 00:37:27.560 --> 00:37:31.480 And I'm sure all of you will do, right? 00:37:31.480 --> 00:37:37.440 But Paul is praying that this church will bear fruit in the things that they do. 00:37:37.440 --> 00:37:41.480 Let us not be a church that just hears the word of God and goes home. 00:37:41.480 --> 00:37:47.880 Instead, when we receive salvation, when we receive more knowledge, when we're filled 00:37:47.880 --> 00:37:53.760 with the knowledge of the word of God, the knowledge of truth, that we will be moved 00:37:53.760 --> 00:37:59.760 to act and to live out a life that is pleasing to the Lord. 00:37:59.760 --> 00:38:07.599 Let us remember we are saved by grace through faith so that we can come to know the Lord, 00:38:07.599 --> 00:38:10.599 grow in him and do good in the name of Christ. 00:38:10.599 --> 00:38:14.960 And just as the apostle Paul says that this church will bear fruit in every good work 00:38:14.960 --> 00:38:20.440 and increase, we should pray that we will do the same. 00:38:20.440 --> 00:38:25.320 We should pray that we as the church will increase in the knowledge of God so that we 00:38:25.320 --> 00:38:27.519 can go out and do. 00:38:27.519 --> 00:38:30.679 We should have the ability to discern right from wrong. 00:38:30.679 --> 00:38:34.920 We should be moved to act and share in the gospel message with other people. 00:38:34.920 --> 00:38:42.840 We should be moved to serve this community and make a difference in the name of Christ. 00:38:42.840 --> 00:38:44.199 That's an encouragement for us. 00:38:44.199 --> 00:38:49.159 And in verse 11, Paul goes on to say that in burying good fruit and increasing in the 00:38:49.159 --> 00:38:55.359 knowledge of God, they will be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might 00:38:55.359 --> 00:38:58.679 for all endurance and patience with joy. 00:38:58.679 --> 00:39:03.000 And this part of the prayer Paul is saying that in the good and the increasing in the 00:39:03.000 --> 00:39:06.799 knowledge, he is praying that the church listen to this. 00:39:06.799 --> 00:39:12.719 Paul is praying that the church will be strengthened with all of the power that comes from the 00:39:12.719 --> 00:39:19.519 Lord, that this church will live out the will of God and that they will be strengthened 00:39:19.519 --> 00:39:23.759 to be able to endure and be patient with joy. 00:39:23.759 --> 00:39:25.159 Isn't that good? 00:39:25.159 --> 00:39:27.839 I'm not patient. 00:39:27.839 --> 00:39:30.439 And how often are we not patient, right? 00:39:30.439 --> 00:39:32.959 Are we patient with joy? 00:39:32.959 --> 00:39:33.959 That's a good gift. 00:39:33.959 --> 00:39:40.079 I'd like to be able to increase in, right? 00:39:40.079 --> 00:39:44.039 And this is not only an encouragement for the church in Colossae, but it's an encouragement 00:39:44.039 --> 00:39:50.599 for us, my friends, that we grow by knowing the word of God, that we should be encouraged 00:39:50.599 --> 00:39:53.319 to do good in the name of Christ. 00:39:53.319 --> 00:39:59.639 And we should pray that our church will be protected by infiltration, but also that we 00:39:59.639 --> 00:40:04.719 will be strengthened with the power that comes from God, that we can follow God's will and 00:40:04.719 --> 00:40:11.839 God's way for our own individual lives, but also for us as the church. 00:40:11.839 --> 00:40:17.759 Let us pray for the trajectory of this church that we can influence the community and that 00:40:17.759 --> 00:40:23.839 we can endure and be patient with joy. 00:40:23.839 --> 00:40:26.000 That strength comes from the Lord. 00:40:26.000 --> 00:40:30.359 This leads us to verse 12, give thanks and share. 00:40:30.360 --> 00:40:35.960 Verse 12, we finish off where Paul is saying he's giving thanks to the Father who has qualified 00:40:35.960 --> 00:40:40.559 you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 00:40:40.559 --> 00:40:46.400 Paul is talking about bearing fruit, increasing your knowledge, being strengthened, right? 00:40:46.400 --> 00:40:50.000 With the power to do good, following his will, his way. 00:40:50.000 --> 00:40:55.160 And in all of these things, we give thanks to God. 00:40:55.160 --> 00:40:57.400 We give thanks to the Lord. 00:40:57.400 --> 00:41:02.840 And is God who has qualified them to share in the inheritance in light. 00:41:02.840 --> 00:41:09.660 In other words, when you come to know the Lord, you're qualified to share in the gospel message. 00:41:09.660 --> 00:41:14.599 We should thank God for everything that he has given to us in our lives, that the blessings 00:41:14.599 --> 00:41:21.360 of our friends and our families, the blessings of this life, we should be thankful and thank 00:41:21.360 --> 00:41:23.240 God. 00:41:23.240 --> 00:41:26.760 You know, I always find it a discouragement. 00:41:26.760 --> 00:41:32.480 When I hear about a church that is focused on the things that divide them rather than 00:41:32.480 --> 00:41:35.380 the things that bring them together. 00:41:35.380 --> 00:41:40.040 Of course, we stand firm in truth and we don't waver in that. 00:41:40.040 --> 00:41:42.800 Jesus Christ did die on the cross. 00:41:42.800 --> 00:41:45.600 He was buried and on the third day he rose again. 00:41:45.600 --> 00:41:48.280 We don't waver in that. 00:41:48.280 --> 00:41:53.680 But so often it's such a discouragement when a church is focused on another gospel or the 00:41:53.680 --> 00:41:54.920 things of man. 00:41:54.920 --> 00:42:00.400 It is always unfortunate when we hear about a church that shuts down, that was once faithful 00:42:00.400 --> 00:42:06.880 to God or a church that has turned away from its love for others. 00:42:06.880 --> 00:42:12.480 But you know what's a great encouragement though is when we hear about a church or we 00:42:12.480 --> 00:42:20.240 become a church where we focus our lives and we focus on Jesus Christ, who is the way, 00:42:20.240 --> 00:42:23.200 the truth and the life. 00:42:23.199 --> 00:42:29.439 And in doing this, we should give thanks to our Lord and our God who has qualified us 00:42:29.439 --> 00:42:36.519 through salvation, qualified us so that we can share in this gospel message. 00:42:36.519 --> 00:42:41.839 And God will continue to qualify us as we grow in this faith, right? 00:42:41.839 --> 00:42:47.199 It's like ongoing training, so to speak, your ability to discern no right from wrong and 00:42:47.199 --> 00:42:49.199 to follow him. 00:42:49.199 --> 00:42:55.839 As we are growing in our faith, building upon that salvation that exists in Christ, the 00:42:55.839 --> 00:43:04.279 church in Colossae is a church that we can learn from and we can apply to our lives today. 00:43:04.279 --> 00:43:07.679 Let us be a church that is focused on Christ. 00:43:07.679 --> 00:43:16.159 Let us be a church that is faithful to him and let us be a church that deals in love. 00:43:16.159 --> 00:43:17.919 Amen. 00:43:17.920 --> 00:43:19.519 Let's pray together. 00:43:19.519 --> 00:43:24.159 And Father God, as we close this time as we're going through the book of Colossians, we pray 00:43:24.159 --> 00:43:29.480 that we may be able to apply the truths of your word into our lives. 00:43:29.480 --> 00:43:36.400 We pray that we as the body of Christ, we as the believers, the people as the church, 00:43:36.400 --> 00:43:43.320 we can be faithful to you and that we can exhibit that love of Christ to others. 00:43:43.320 --> 00:43:50.760 May we be, may we learn from this church in Colossae, a small church in a small area. 00:43:50.760 --> 00:43:54.240 May we be faithful to you. 00:43:54.240 --> 00:43:56.559 May we stand on the truth. 00:43:56.559 --> 00:43:58.800 May we deal in love. 00:43:58.800 --> 00:44:04.019 Let us take to heart that in believing in you, we have that hope that comes from you. 00:44:04.019 --> 00:44:08.960 We have this assurance of salvation and the promise of eternal life. 00:44:08.960 --> 00:44:15.000 We pray that the seeds of truth, this gospel can be planted in our minds and hearts. 00:44:15.000 --> 00:44:21.599 May we grow upon that salvation on that foundation that exists in you. 00:44:21.599 --> 00:44:26.519 And may we all bear fruit, good fruit in our lives. 00:44:26.519 --> 00:44:32.679 And as we sing this last song, may we lift up a shot of praise and never stop thanking 00:44:32.679 --> 00:44:35.119 you, never stop praising you. 00:44:35.119 --> 00:44:43.119 And may we live and love like you, for we thank you, God, for all that you have done 00:44:43.119 --> 00:44:47.079 and all that you continue to do. 00:44:47.079 --> 00:44:48.279 We thank you so much. 00:44:48.279 --> 00:44:54.799 It is in Jesus' name that we pray and we all say together, amen. 00:44:54.799 --> 00:44:58.719 Thank you for tuning in to the Ontario Community Church sermon podcast. 00:44:58.719 --> 00:45:03.079 For more about our church and how you can get involved or support our mission, please 00:45:03.079 --> 00:45:06.719 visit ontariocommunitychurch.org. 00:45:06.719 --> 00:45:33.679 May God's blessings be with you.