WEBVTT 00:00:00.220 --> 00:00:07.240 If you would open up your Bibles to Colossians chapter 1, 9-14, it's on page 1168 of your pew Bible. 00:00:11.439 --> 00:00:16.000 And I'm going to read that for us right now, verses 9-14. 00:00:21.640 --> 00:00:26.560 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, 00:00:26.559 --> 00:00:32.759 asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 00:00:34.060 --> 00:00:37.659 So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, 00:00:38.719 --> 00:00:43.019 bearing fruit in every good work, and in increasing in the knowledge of God, 00:00:44.019 --> 00:00:48.619 being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might for all endurance and patience, 00:00:49.560 --> 00:00:54.960 with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints of light. 00:00:54.960 --> 00:00:59.780 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 00:01:00.640 --> 00:01:04.319 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 00:01:05.239 --> 00:01:07.159 May God bless the hearing of His Word. 00:01:10.760 --> 00:01:12.359 What is God's will for your life? 00:01:15.760 --> 00:01:17.260 I'm going to say something audacious. 00:01:17.260 --> 00:01:23.600 By the time you'll leave this building, you will know God's will for your life. 00:01:25.180 --> 00:01:26.120 It's outrageous. 00:01:27.859 --> 00:01:30.880 God wants you to know His will for your life. 00:01:32.300 --> 00:01:36.280 Now for many, when they hear of God's will for their lives, 00:01:37.080 --> 00:01:38.719 dread falls upon them. 00:01:38.719 --> 00:01:49.459 They start getting stressed out and anxious because they think that they've lost God's will for their life. 00:01:49.579 --> 00:01:53.459 They missed the God's will for my life train. 00:01:54.939 --> 00:01:58.400 And so instead of God's will freeing them, 00:02:00.400 --> 00:02:02.340 it panics them. 00:02:02.960 --> 00:02:04.840 They dread God's will. 00:02:04.920 --> 00:02:06.280 That's not the way we're going to respond. 00:02:06.280 --> 00:02:11.479 Other people could care less about God's will. 00:02:12.400 --> 00:02:15.159 And so instead of dreading God's will, they dismiss it. 00:02:15.680 --> 00:02:16.599 Some people even say, 00:02:17.080 --> 00:02:19.500 how can you even know God has a will for your life? 00:02:20.780 --> 00:02:23.800 Some people are just bored and lazy. 00:02:24.080 --> 00:02:24.539 They don't care. 00:02:26.420 --> 00:02:27.800 Instead of living in dread, 00:02:27.939 --> 00:02:33.560 they live for the moment with no regard for God or His will at all. 00:02:33.560 --> 00:02:36.340 They dismiss God's will. 00:02:38.479 --> 00:02:42.240 Other people distort God's will. 00:02:43.580 --> 00:02:45.780 Maybe you've heard of the prosperity gospel. 00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:47.180 It's a terrible mistake. 00:02:48.140 --> 00:02:49.939 It's a distortion of God's will. 00:02:49.939 --> 00:02:59.359 It distorts God's will that a person of faith is to experience health and wealth in increasing measure. 00:03:00.199 --> 00:03:04.659 And if that person of faith isn't experiencing health and wealth in increasing measure, 00:03:05.079 --> 00:03:08.259 well, something then is wrong with their faith. 00:03:08.259 --> 00:03:16.560 What the distortion of the prosperity gospel does is it puts man in the center of God's will. 00:03:20.560 --> 00:03:21.239 Give! 00:03:22.259 --> 00:03:24.319 And God will return it tenfold. 00:03:26.759 --> 00:03:29.159 God becomes a means to your end. 00:03:30.180 --> 00:03:31.519 It's a terrible distortion. 00:03:32.379 --> 00:03:35.680 It leaves people worse than they began. 00:03:35.680 --> 00:03:40.599 Maybe you've heard the secular version of this. 00:03:41.800 --> 00:03:42.340 You be you. 00:03:45.400 --> 00:03:51.700 This morning, God's word makes an outrageous claim 00:03:51.700 --> 00:03:54.680 that you can know God's will for your life. 00:03:54.840 --> 00:03:58.300 And it's not dread. 00:03:59.140 --> 00:04:00.960 It's not dismissal. 00:04:01.219 --> 00:04:02.620 It's not distortion. 00:04:03.240 --> 00:04:04.219 It's delight. 00:04:04.219 --> 00:04:04.439 It's delight. 00:04:05.680 --> 00:04:08.520 What is God's will for your life? 00:04:09.180 --> 00:04:09.960 Five words. 00:04:11.920 --> 00:04:17.240 To please Christ in everything. 00:04:18.620 --> 00:04:19.660 It's God's will for your life. 00:04:20.860 --> 00:04:22.439 So here's how we're going to do this. 00:04:23.480 --> 00:04:25.780 I'm going to do a call, and you're going to do a response. 00:04:26.620 --> 00:04:28.420 I'm going to say, what is God's will for your life? 00:04:28.420 --> 00:04:30.680 And you're going to respond with five words. 00:04:31.460 --> 00:04:33.319 To please Christ in everything. 00:04:33.400 --> 00:04:33.840 You guys ready? 00:04:36.840 --> 00:04:38.080 What's God's will for your life? 00:04:43.080 --> 00:04:44.860 Colossians 1, 9-14. 00:04:44.860 --> 00:04:50.600 Paul continues a prayer that he started in verse 3-8. 00:04:51.100 --> 00:04:52.620 It was a prayer of thanksgiving. 00:04:53.340 --> 00:04:55.939 And now in verses 9-14, he pivots. 00:04:56.420 --> 00:05:03.400 And that prayer becomes a prayer of asking God to fill the Colossians to know His will. 00:05:03.399 --> 00:05:05.439 And so here's how we're going to proceed. 00:05:05.639 --> 00:05:09.799 We're going to look at the ask of God's will. 00:05:09.959 --> 00:05:12.500 And then the aim of God's will. 00:05:12.699 --> 00:05:16.239 And then finally, the avenues in which we live out God's will. 00:05:16.939 --> 00:05:18.000 So let me ask you a question. 00:05:18.279 --> 00:05:19.539 What is God's will for your life? 00:05:20.219 --> 00:05:23.219 To be God's will for your life. 00:05:24.219 --> 00:05:30.139 It's not going to only inform our prayer life, but in the way you live your life. 00:05:30.139 --> 00:05:32.800 The ask. 00:05:33.159 --> 00:05:33.680 Verse 9. 00:05:34.360 --> 00:05:37.279 And so from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you. 00:05:37.740 --> 00:05:43.279 Asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will and all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 00:05:43.539 --> 00:05:44.759 So Paul pivots here. 00:05:45.219 --> 00:05:50.819 He's been thanking God for what God has done in the Colossians and around the world in verses 3-8. 00:05:51.159 --> 00:05:56.219 And then in verse 9, he turns to asking God for God to do something. 00:05:57.819 --> 00:05:59.180 In these Colossians. 00:06:00.139 --> 00:06:01.759 It's a request. 00:06:02.060 --> 00:06:03.099 It's an ask. 00:06:04.519 --> 00:06:07.759 And let me just help you feel something. 00:06:09.339 --> 00:06:17.039 Whenever you see in Scripture the Apostle Paul praying, you want to take note. 00:06:18.180 --> 00:06:23.620 Because whatever he's going to pray, whatever it is, it's going to be highly significant. 00:06:23.899 --> 00:06:25.599 It's going to fall into that category. 00:06:25.599 --> 00:06:28.879 He's going to pray what's best for these Colossians. 00:06:28.879 --> 00:06:35.159 First thing I want you to notice is the frequency of his praying. 00:06:36.279 --> 00:06:37.219 It starts in verse 3. 00:06:37.360 --> 00:06:38.920 We always thank God when we pray for you. 00:06:39.000 --> 00:06:39.480 Verse 9. 00:06:39.899 --> 00:06:45.279 And so from the day we heard of what God was doing in their lives, we have not ceased to pray for you. 00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:52.239 He's ceaselessly asking God to do something for these Colossians. 00:06:52.879 --> 00:06:58.879 It should remind you of that passage in 1 Thessalonians 5.17 that says, pray without ceasing. 00:06:58.879 --> 00:07:04.139 Now, I don't think this is 24-7 praying. 00:07:04.600 --> 00:07:06.240 Like you don't sleep so you can pray. 00:07:06.240 --> 00:07:13.199 But what this is getting at is a frequent, persistent, and purposed praying. 00:07:13.199 --> 00:07:17.560 Most likely Paul employed two types of praying. 00:07:18.379 --> 00:07:19.319 Spontaneous praying. 00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:20.120 Things are coming up. 00:07:20.180 --> 00:07:21.079 You're praying on the spot. 00:07:21.479 --> 00:07:27.579 And then scheduled praying where you have set aside moments during the day where you are praying for specific things. 00:07:27.759 --> 00:07:29.759 Both are a great way to be praying. 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:36.519 In fact, if you want to start with a scheduled time to pray, start every morning. 00:07:36.620 --> 00:07:37.860 Just pray through your day. 00:07:40.180 --> 00:07:45.060 What I just want to notice is he's frequently praying. 00:07:47.039 --> 00:07:48.060 Praying for others. 00:07:49.759 --> 00:07:54.800 But what I really want you to see is the content of his asking. 00:07:54.800 --> 00:08:04.520 And the reason why is because it's so important. 00:08:05.900 --> 00:08:07.699 So before I even get in, let me ask you. 00:08:07.879 --> 00:08:11.620 Survey the content of your recent prayers. 00:08:13.439 --> 00:08:14.680 What have you been praying? 00:08:16.100 --> 00:08:18.040 What have you been praying for yourself? 00:08:19.300 --> 00:08:21.240 What have you been praying for other people? 00:08:21.240 --> 00:08:25.100 And now let's look at what the Apostle Paul prays. 00:08:26.939 --> 00:08:28.300 He says in verse 9. 00:08:29.620 --> 00:08:36.299 Asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 00:08:38.060 --> 00:08:39.659 We've got something to learn here. 00:08:40.759 --> 00:08:42.480 He asks God the Father. 00:08:43.139 --> 00:08:45.560 That's the implied person he's praying to. 00:08:45.659 --> 00:08:46.759 That comes from verse 3. 00:08:46.759 --> 00:08:53.580 Ask God the Father to fill these Christians in Colossae with the knowledge of his will. 00:08:54.659 --> 00:09:02.139 Now he doesn't come out and say explicitly what his will is for our lives. 00:09:02.259 --> 00:09:04.419 That comes in actually in verse 10. 00:09:06.799 --> 00:09:12.840 But looking at this ask out of anything and everything he could ask for. 00:09:12.840 --> 00:09:19.500 However, he asks God the Father to fill these Christians with the knowledge of his will. 00:09:19.840 --> 00:09:25.100 And so what that means is whatever his will is, it's not something you need to dread. 00:09:25.960 --> 00:09:27.660 It's not something to dismiss. 00:09:28.160 --> 00:09:29.540 It's not something to distort. 00:09:29.860 --> 00:09:31.720 But it's something to delight in. 00:09:31.720 --> 00:09:35.060 Notice he asks for them to be filled. 00:09:35.320 --> 00:09:39.379 To be brought into in greater measure. 00:09:40.540 --> 00:09:43.279 A knowledge of his will. 00:09:43.340 --> 00:09:44.899 That word knowledge is an interesting word. 00:09:45.000 --> 00:09:46.120 I'm guessing you think knowledge. 00:09:46.200 --> 00:09:49.340 You might think like math facts that you stuff into your head. 00:09:50.379 --> 00:09:52.700 This kind of knowledge is not just head knowledge. 00:09:52.700 --> 00:10:00.100 It's a very specific word in the original language that gets at this idea of knowledge that influences. 00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:02.020 It's a functional knowledge. 00:10:02.200 --> 00:10:03.600 It's an effectual knowledge. 00:10:04.080 --> 00:10:07.240 It's a knowledge that when you become aware of it, you are compelled to act. 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:14.379 So the idea here is when you become aware of what God's will is for your life, you must act. 00:10:14.980 --> 00:10:15.480 You're compelled. 00:10:15.480 --> 00:10:21.220 Do you notice those words? 00:10:22.379 --> 00:10:24.899 In all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 00:10:26.720 --> 00:10:33.700 This knowledge of his will is sourced in God. 00:10:35.759 --> 00:10:41.279 That adjective spiritual is best understood as of the Holy Spirit. 00:10:41.279 --> 00:10:50.839 The Holy Spirit provides a wisdom and an understanding so that we may know God's will. 00:10:55.620 --> 00:11:04.519 The false teaching that was influencing the Colossian church was not a God-sourced knowledge. 00:11:05.459 --> 00:11:07.699 But a man-sourced knowledge. 00:11:08.959 --> 00:11:09.659 In verse 8. 00:11:09.659 --> 00:11:11.219 See to it. 00:11:11.240 --> 00:11:11.879 Oh, chapter 2. 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:16.879 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty conceit according to human tradition. 00:11:17.819 --> 00:11:18.519 Man-sourced. 00:11:19.539 --> 00:11:22.799 If you look at chapter 2, verses 21 and 22 and 23. 00:11:23.539 --> 00:11:25.319 Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch. 00:11:25.399 --> 00:11:29.219 Referring to these things that all perish as they are used. 00:11:29.339 --> 00:11:36.059 All these rules and regulations according to human precepts and teachings. 00:11:36.059 --> 00:11:38.219 These have indeed an appearance. 00:11:38.219 --> 00:11:42.099 Verse 23 of wisdom in promoting self-made religion. 00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:43.639 Human-sourced. 00:11:45.539 --> 00:11:53.239 What Paul is praying for these Christians is a knowledge of God's will that is not human-sourced, 00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:58.399 but is God-sourced, Bible-sourced. 00:11:58.399 --> 00:11:58.419 Bible-sourced. 00:12:05.419 --> 00:12:08.299 That word spiritual is referring to the Holy Spirit. 00:12:08.299 --> 00:12:19.259 So let me just help you think for a second about the Holy Spirit's role in making known God's will to us. 00:12:19.259 --> 00:12:32.139 Just before Jesus went to the cross, in John 16, he was explaining to his disciples what the Holy Spirit would do upon his, Jesus' departure. 00:12:34.139 --> 00:12:43.639 And in John 16, 14, Jesus gives this summary of what the Holy Spirit will do when he departs, when Jesus departs. 00:12:44.679 --> 00:12:47.460 He will glorify me. 00:12:47.460 --> 00:13:00.259 Imagine a darkened stage and you are sitting in the darkness, in the quiet of a very large audience. 00:13:01.740 --> 00:13:12.100 In the darkness, you hear footsteps coming onto the stage and they have come to stand right in the middle of the stage. 00:13:12.100 --> 00:13:24.440 And then in a moment, a spotlight turns on and there before you is the glorious, risen Jesus Christ. 00:13:24.440 --> 00:13:33.380 Now, the beam of that spotlight doesn't call your attention back to the spotlight. 00:13:33.780 --> 00:13:37.040 The beam of the spotlight brings your attention onto Jesus. 00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:52.240 And so when Paul prays this prayer, asking the Father to pour out the Holy Spirit, to bring wisdom and understanding, to make known God's will, 00:13:53.740 --> 00:13:55.579 guess who's going to be center stage? 00:13:57.480 --> 00:13:58.120 Jesus. 00:13:58.120 --> 00:14:06.560 In fact, Paul will talk about this knowledge of God's will as a mystery. 00:14:07.720 --> 00:14:15.519 He does so at the end of chapter 2 and into, at the end of chapter 1 and into chapter 2, but, but then he lets the secret out. 00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:30.419 In chapter 2, verse 2, we read that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, God's will, which is Christ. 00:14:30.419 --> 00:14:36.860 In whom are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 00:14:38.579 --> 00:14:49.099 So when Paul asks God to fill these Christians with the knowledge of his will through the Holy Spirit, Jesus is going to be center stage and spotlighted. 00:14:50.179 --> 00:14:55.480 What I want you to see here is the Apostle Paul is praying a Trinitarian prayer. 00:14:58.120 --> 00:14:59.319 He's praying to the Father. 00:15:00.419 --> 00:15:06.839 For an outpouring of the Spirit that will exalt Christ. 00:15:08.959 --> 00:15:11.959 So here are a few things that we can walk away with from this. 00:15:13.699 --> 00:15:15.240 This, this, this, this. 00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:20.759 Verse 9 is instructive to our own prayer life, that we should be continual in our prayer life. 00:15:20.819 --> 00:15:23.939 Maybe praying spontaneously, praying scheduled prayers. 00:15:23.939 --> 00:15:26.019 But we should be praying mixed prayers. 00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:31.220 Prayers of thanksgiving as well as prayers of asking for things. 00:15:31.559 --> 00:15:37.379 But when we ask for things, there's a priority of asking. 00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:42.939 That we get to pray Trinitarian prayers like Paul. 00:15:43.799 --> 00:15:48.100 Asking the Father to pour out the Spirit so that Christ is exalted. 00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:51.039 You've ever found yourself in a situation where you're like, I don't know what to pray for that. 00:15:52.179 --> 00:15:53.179 You can pray this. 00:15:54.639 --> 00:16:00.279 Father, would you pour out the Spirit onto my brother, onto my sister, onto their marriage, into our church. 00:16:00.279 --> 00:16:03.000 That Christ would be spotlighted. 00:16:05.720 --> 00:16:06.839 Let me ask you a question. 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:10.500 What is God's will for your life? 00:16:11.620 --> 00:16:15.159 To please Christ in everything. 00:16:16.199 --> 00:16:22.899 So we move now from the ask of the prayer to the aim of the prayer. 00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:25.159 And that is in verse 10. 00:16:26.100 --> 00:16:31.959 Verse 9 is Paul asking for God to make known his will. 00:16:33.379 --> 00:16:37.899 And in verse 10 is the making of his will known. 00:16:39.579 --> 00:16:44.179 In fact, verse 10, it's like a two-fold response. 00:16:44.299 --> 00:16:47.019 It's like a two-stage purpose rocket. 00:16:47.019 --> 00:16:55.360 We've got the first stage that culminates into the final stage. 00:16:56.419 --> 00:16:59.919 Let me just point out the first stage. 00:17:01.419 --> 00:17:02.819 Paul prays this prayer. 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:05.859 And then in verse 10, you read, 00:17:06.379 --> 00:17:09.279 So as for the purpose, the intended result, 00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:14.259 for them to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. 00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:21.319 Paul is praying to the Father to pour out the Spirit to reveal God's will, 00:17:21.879 --> 00:17:28.740 which is for these Christians and for these Christians to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. 00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:33.059 Lord, of course, is a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:17:33.640 --> 00:17:34.640 Chapter 1, verse 3. 00:17:36.160 --> 00:17:37.900 Jesus is being spotlighted. 00:17:37.900 --> 00:17:44.259 The word walk in your Bibles, whether it's Old Testament or New, 00:17:44.360 --> 00:17:49.380 oftentimes applied to God's people is referring to the way you live your life. 00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:52.900 Have you ever bumped into someone and you've heard these words before? 00:17:53.720 --> 00:17:56.560 Yeah, he talks the talk, but doesn't walk the walk. 00:17:57.320 --> 00:17:58.220 Anybody hear that before? 00:17:59.040 --> 00:18:02.000 The walk the walk is a reference to the way someone's living their life. 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:05.319 It's how Paul's using it here. 00:18:05.960 --> 00:18:07.200 And when you hear someone say, 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:09.619 Yeah, he talks the talk, but doesn't walk the walk. 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:11.720 Usually that's a recipe for hypocrisy. 00:18:11.940 --> 00:18:12.519 Is it not? 00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:21.539 Here, we have a recipe for consistency. 00:18:21.539 --> 00:18:30.240 So as to walk, live your life in a manner worthy of the Lord. 00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:38.920 That manner worthy of the Lord is talking about living a life consistent with who Jesus is 00:18:38.920 --> 00:18:42.079 and what Jesus' priorities are. 00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:48.119 A life that is consistent with the very character of Christ. 00:18:48.119 --> 00:18:52.639 A life that's consistent with the very agenda of Christ. 00:18:54.399 --> 00:18:58.879 In Galatians 5.16, the apostle writes, 00:18:59.259 --> 00:19:05.399 Walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. 00:19:06.239 --> 00:19:11.219 And then in chapter 5, verse 22, he starts laying out the fruit of the Spirit. 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:12.279 There are nine. 00:19:13.659 --> 00:19:15.159 Love, joy, patience. 00:19:16.219 --> 00:19:17.559 Love, joy, peace. 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:18.079 Thanks, Wanda. 00:19:18.579 --> 00:19:22.359 Patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control. 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:23.339 Wanda, did I miss anything? 00:19:26.220 --> 00:19:31.000 But when you hear those laid out, think profile Jesus. 00:19:32.859 --> 00:19:37.359 The fruit of the Spirit profiles the person, the character of Jesus. 00:19:37.359 --> 00:19:47.399 But it's not just the character of Jesus that when we walk in a manner worthy of Christ, 00:19:47.639 --> 00:19:50.279 that we become more like Christ in our character. 00:19:50.719 --> 00:19:53.839 We take on what's important to Christ. 00:19:54.679 --> 00:19:56.079 His priorities become our own. 00:19:57.079 --> 00:20:00.019 And so when he says, go make disciples of the nations, we're like, of course. 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:04.700 If this is high in your agenda, it's high in my agenda. 00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:11.440 Have you ever seen a video of a potter at his wheel? 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:20.360 A man sits down at a potter's wheel, puts a clump of wet clay on it, flips that thing on, and it starts to spin. 00:20:21.620 --> 00:20:28.080 And as it's spinning, the potter applies pressure with his hands, and that clay starts to take form. 00:20:28.079 --> 00:20:35.079 It starts to be shaped according to the will of the potter. 00:20:38.379 --> 00:20:48.039 God's will is to Christ shape your character and priorities. 00:20:49.159 --> 00:20:53.899 That's what it means to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. 00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:55.240 That's stage one. 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:58.440 You want to know what stage two is? 00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:02.279 It's that last little clause. 00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:05.200 Fully pleasing to him. 00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:10.299 In Greek, it's just three words. 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:11.960 Literally, in everything pleasing. 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:15.859 In everything pleasing to the Lord. 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:19.880 Christ central in everything. 00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:29.059 The ultimate goal of Christians. 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:31.099 God's will for our life. 00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:35.079 Ultimately, is to please Christ in everything. 00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:38.099 To be fully pleasing to him. 00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:42.700 Every area of your life. 00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:44.500 Christ shaped. 00:21:45.120 --> 00:21:46.420 Christ central. 00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:49.220 The opposite is also true. 00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:54.200 If you're not walking in a manner worthy of the Lord, you will not please him. 00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:55.319 You will grieve him. 00:21:57.000 --> 00:21:59.880 We're not to walk that way, Aerosmith. 00:22:00.140 --> 00:22:01.420 We're to walk this way. 00:22:05.420 --> 00:22:07.160 Aerosmith wasn't singing about Jesus. 00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:11.920 But Paul is. 00:22:14.380 --> 00:22:18.920 To walk in a manner pleasing to the Lord is to walk in a manner pleasing to him. 00:22:19.060 --> 00:22:24.120 To delight him in every area of your life. 00:22:24.119 --> 00:22:29.479 Do you know what that means? 00:22:31.699 --> 00:22:35.799 It means we need to adopt a different understanding of conversion. 00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:43.859 When you become a Christian, it's not like adding on the Jesus room to your mansion. 00:22:45.479 --> 00:22:49.799 When you become a Christian, you give him the deed. 00:22:52.219 --> 00:22:53.919 He becomes central in everything. 00:22:54.119 --> 00:23:04.739 In our sin, we make this false assumption that the world orbits us. 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:13.799 But what the gospel does so well is that it helps us to realize all things orbit Christ. 00:23:15.959 --> 00:23:21.699 Conversion is being delivered from a me-centered world and view of everything 00:23:21.700 --> 00:23:25.059 into a Christ-centered world of everything. 00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:29.460 In which you grow into and live out more and more. 00:23:32.400 --> 00:23:34.720 And you seek to please Christ in everything. 00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:35.620 Not yourself. 00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:43.419 This information about God's will for your life. 00:23:44.539 --> 00:23:46.139 This isn't something to dread. 00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:47.859 It's not something to dismiss. 00:23:47.859 --> 00:23:49.779 It's not something to distort. 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:52.159 It's something to delight in. 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:55.959 To please Christ in everything. 00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:58.960 So let me ask you a question. 00:24:00.460 --> 00:24:01.980 What is God's will for your life? 00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:06.240 To please Christ in everything. 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:09.400 Are you seeing it? 00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:18.900 Now, you might be like asking the question, well, okay, like, like, where in my life? 00:24:18.900 --> 00:24:21.220 How am I supposed to do that? 00:24:22.540 --> 00:24:23.780 Paul anticipates it. 00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:32.519 And in verses 10 through 14, he lays out avenues by which we walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. 00:24:33.660 --> 00:24:34.540 Four avenues. 00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:38.840 A fourfold way of pleasing Christ. 00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:42.280 So let me just draw these things out for you. 00:24:43.080 --> 00:24:45.680 He doesn't point to your finances. 00:24:45.680 --> 00:24:49.299 He doesn't point to your entertainment habits. 00:24:49.900 --> 00:24:55.019 He points to ways in which we seek to please Christ. 00:24:55.580 --> 00:24:56.400 Ways of living. 00:24:58.180 --> 00:25:00.720 The first way of living is in verse 10. 00:25:02.080 --> 00:25:06.820 Where he says, bearing fruit in every good work. 00:25:09.360 --> 00:25:11.920 Think back to Galatians 5.22. 00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:16.360 For the fruit of the Spirit is love. 00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:19.840 Starts with love. 00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:26.600 In Colossians, there seems to be an emphasis on love in the Colossian church. 00:25:26.940 --> 00:25:29.259 Look up in chapter 1, verse 8. 00:25:29.800 --> 00:25:35.460 Epaphras made known to Paul the love the Colossians had in the Spirit. 00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:40.900 That is a Spirit-sourced love that they were loving each other with. 00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:42.220 But they hadn't arrived. 00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:45.140 Because if you look at chapter 3, verse 14. 00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:47.779 Paul admonishes them. 00:25:47.880 --> 00:25:49.779 And above all, these put on love. 00:25:49.880 --> 00:25:50.680 He exhorts them. 00:25:50.900 --> 00:25:54.039 Which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:55.880 Do you want to know a good fruit to bear? 00:25:57.059 --> 00:25:58.140 The fruit of love. 00:25:58.140 --> 00:26:03.759 The obeying of Jesus' new commandment. 00:26:04.560 --> 00:26:07.420 To love one another as he has loved us. 00:26:07.420 --> 00:26:13.400 And when we become Christ-centered. 00:26:14.100 --> 00:26:17.519 And we're no longer seeking to please ourselves, but to please Christ. 00:26:17.620 --> 00:26:18.380 Do you know what happens? 00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:21.180 We become others-aware. 00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:25.460 To love them and care for them. 00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:29.620 Just as Christ has loved you. 00:26:29.860 --> 00:26:31.400 You're a recipient of that love. 00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:33.980 Now we seek to love others in a similar way. 00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:38.079 We have new people come into our sanctuary. 00:26:38.279 --> 00:26:39.839 We love them. 00:26:43.319 --> 00:26:46.200 There's a brother and sister in Christ who are going through a hard time. 00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:51.059 And they're just having to process the same thing over and over again. 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:51.880 Because they're kind of stuck. 00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:52.960 Love them. 00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:54.940 Love them with your ears. 00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:56.940 Listen to them. 00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:57.539 Help them. 00:27:00.900 --> 00:27:02.400 Someone needs a different kind of help. 00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:05.940 Help them move. 00:27:07.140 --> 00:27:09.059 Help them think through something. 00:27:10.559 --> 00:27:12.299 Love them with God's word. 00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:14.640 Speaking the truth in love. 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:19.140 It requires Christian love. 00:27:19.700 --> 00:27:22.279 Requires us to be others-focused. 00:27:22.819 --> 00:27:26.599 And the way to get others-focused is to become Christ-centric. 00:27:26.599 --> 00:27:32.579 Now in case you've got a Catholic background. 00:27:32.579 --> 00:27:34.819 Or you're new to this Christianity thing. 00:27:35.339 --> 00:27:41.079 When Paul talks about bearing fruit in every good work. 00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:45.619 You may hear that and misunderstand what he's actually saying. 00:27:46.299 --> 00:27:52.559 What he's not saying is that you need to bear good fruits in order to be saved. 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.659 He's not saying that. 00:27:53.660 --> 00:27:54.660 Christianity. 00:27:54.660 --> 00:27:55.660 Christianity. 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:56.540 Christianity. 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:57.960 The Christianity of the Bible. 00:27:58.759 --> 00:28:02.400 Does not teach that in order to be saved. 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:04.300 You've got to do a lot of good things. 00:28:06.300 --> 00:28:07.560 It doesn't teach that. 00:28:07.559 --> 00:28:15.859 What the gospel proclaims is that Jesus has done the good work for us. 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:18.179 It's finished at the cross. 00:28:18.399 --> 00:28:19.519 Paid for our sins. 00:28:20.059 --> 00:28:22.179 And as a result of believing in that. 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:24.399 Now we do good works. 00:28:25.779 --> 00:28:28.079 Good works don't save you. 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:30.399 You've been saved for good works. 00:28:30.400 --> 00:28:33.640 And to confuse the two. 00:28:35.320 --> 00:28:37.360 Will cause a lot of heartache. 00:28:38.120 --> 00:28:39.780 Because if you confuse the two. 00:28:39.860 --> 00:28:42.440 Instead of Christ being central to your salvation. 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:44.740 Your obedience is. 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:47.160 It's not the gospel. 00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:49.720 But it is good news. 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:52.000 To know that Christ's finished work. 00:28:52.300 --> 00:28:54.060 Is the good work that saves. 00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:56.380 And it saves us to do good works. 00:28:56.780 --> 00:28:57.720 Loving one another. 00:28:57.720 --> 00:29:01.180 So. 00:29:01.880 --> 00:29:02.860 The first avenue. 00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:06.420 To please Christ. 00:29:07.160 --> 00:29:08.420 Is to bear fruit. 00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:09.700 Of good works. 00:29:10.059 --> 00:29:10.640 Namely. 00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:13.220 Loving one another. 00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:16.920 The second way. 00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:21.339 We see in verse 10. 00:29:21.640 --> 00:29:23.100 Increasing in the knowledge of God. 00:29:25.259 --> 00:29:25.740 Again. 00:29:25.920 --> 00:29:27.140 That word knowledge. 00:29:27.140 --> 00:29:29.640 Is this the same word that we saw in verse 9. 00:29:29.860 --> 00:29:30.000 It's. 00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:31.880 It's a word that just doesn't mean. 00:29:32.040 --> 00:29:33.780 Packing your head with facts. 00:29:34.040 --> 00:29:35.259 But it's a knowledge. 00:29:35.800 --> 00:29:38.300 That affects the way that you live. 00:29:39.560 --> 00:29:39.980 It's. 00:29:40.060 --> 00:29:42.060 It's not just getting facts straight. 00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:43.720 It's getting these facts. 00:29:43.880 --> 00:29:45.100 Into your life. 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:50.940 The knowledge of God. 00:29:51.640 --> 00:29:53.040 That he's being talked about here. 00:29:53.160 --> 00:29:53.880 Shapes your life. 00:29:54.060 --> 00:29:54.259 It's. 00:29:54.340 --> 00:29:55.560 It's what the Bible talks about. 00:29:55.660 --> 00:29:56.560 As the fear of the Lord. 00:29:57.140 --> 00:29:57.640 It's. 00:29:59.860 --> 00:30:01.860 Maybe you're familiar with Jeremiah 9. 00:30:02.100 --> 00:30:02.900 Let me read it to you. 00:30:03.480 --> 00:30:05.040 I've got some hand motions with it. 00:30:07.040 --> 00:30:08.640 Let not the wise man. 00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:10.520 Boast in his wisdom. 00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:14.220 Let not the mighty man. 00:30:14.640 --> 00:30:15.820 Boast in his might. 00:30:17.720 --> 00:30:19.520 Let not the rich man. 00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:21.360 Boast. 00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:22.900 In his riches. 00:30:22.900 --> 00:30:26.080 But let him who boasts. 00:30:26.080 --> 00:30:26.940 Boast in this. 00:30:28.160 --> 00:30:29.340 That he knows. 00:30:29.560 --> 00:30:30.740 And understands me. 00:30:32.080 --> 00:30:33.400 That I am the God. 00:30:33.900 --> 00:30:35.580 Of steadfast love. 00:30:35.820 --> 00:30:36.300 And justice. 00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:37.019 And righteousness. 00:30:37.380 --> 00:30:38.280 And in these things. 00:30:38.500 --> 00:30:39.380 I delight on the earth. 00:30:40.040 --> 00:30:40.440 Thus. 00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:41.360 Says. 00:30:41.780 --> 00:30:42.259 The Lord. 00:30:43.940 --> 00:30:44.300 When. 00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:44.519 When. 00:30:44.919 --> 00:30:46.000 When you start. 00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:47.159 To. 00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:48.819 Start delighting. 00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:50.220 In that knowledge of God. 00:30:50.279 --> 00:30:50.500 You're like. 00:30:50.619 --> 00:30:50.899 Oh man. 00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:52.559 You are a God of steadfast love. 00:30:52.639 --> 00:30:53.599 Justice and righteousness. 00:30:55.119 --> 00:30:56.700 That starts to have an effect. 00:30:58.299 --> 00:30:59.379 Here's the effect. 00:31:00.700 --> 00:31:00.879 Man. 00:31:00.940 --> 00:31:01.059 God. 00:31:01.099 --> 00:31:01.659 You are awesome. 00:31:03.659 --> 00:31:05.240 It's like finding treasure. 00:31:06.639 --> 00:31:07.079 God. 00:31:07.139 --> 00:31:07.799 You're awesome. 00:31:07.799 --> 00:31:11.599 This kind of knowledge of God. 00:31:11.839 --> 00:31:12.159 It. 00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:14.799 It creates the sense of worth. 00:31:15.039 --> 00:31:15.639 Of God. 00:31:16.059 --> 00:31:17.359 You start to value. 00:31:17.839 --> 00:31:18.139 God. 00:31:18.359 --> 00:31:19.319 You start to treasure. 00:31:19.899 --> 00:31:20.220 God. 00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:21.480 And the result. 00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:22.720 Is wanting to give. 00:31:22.940 --> 00:31:23.259 Worth. 00:31:23.619 --> 00:31:23.879 Ship. 00:31:24.200 --> 00:31:24.639 To God. 00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:26.159 You want to give him praises. 00:31:27.139 --> 00:31:28.139 True knowledge of God. 00:31:28.139 --> 00:31:29.139 Always results. 00:31:29.359 --> 00:31:30.139 In doxology. 00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:32.579 The praise of God. 00:31:33.399 --> 00:31:34.500 The worship of God. 00:31:35.399 --> 00:31:36.139 If it falls flat. 00:31:36.140 --> 00:31:36.740 Flat. 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.840 That's not on God. 00:31:39.680 --> 00:31:40.500 The problem's. 00:31:41.040 --> 00:31:41.520 In you. 00:31:43.600 --> 00:31:45.700 So with increasing knowledge of God. 00:31:45.800 --> 00:31:48.259 Is increasing worship of God. 00:31:48.920 --> 00:31:50.660 To treasure him more and more. 00:31:52.800 --> 00:31:54.320 Do you have a worship problem? 00:31:56.880 --> 00:31:58.720 How about you increase. 00:31:58.960 --> 00:32:00.420 In your knowledge of who God is. 00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:03.680 There's. 00:32:04.100 --> 00:32:05.620 These two first ways. 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:06.859 Are bearing fruit. 00:32:07.439 --> 00:32:08.259 In every good work. 00:32:08.359 --> 00:32:10.039 And increasing in the knowledge of God. 00:32:10.279 --> 00:32:11.119 And that should ring a bell. 00:32:11.219 --> 00:32:13.079 Because he uses the same words. 00:32:13.219 --> 00:32:14.099 In verse six. 00:32:14.159 --> 00:32:15.339 To describe the gospel. 00:32:16.000 --> 00:32:16.959 Spreading in the world. 00:32:17.839 --> 00:32:18.279 Increasing. 00:32:18.459 --> 00:32:19.359 Bearing fruit. 00:32:20.199 --> 00:32:21.519 And now he prays it. 00:32:21.599 --> 00:32:22.559 For these Colossians. 00:32:24.219 --> 00:32:25.919 That the gospel would bear. 00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:27.819 These good works. 00:32:27.939 --> 00:32:28.979 That the gospel would bear. 00:32:29.079 --> 00:32:30.579 An increasing knowledge of God. 00:32:30.579 --> 00:32:32.299 So that his fame. 00:32:32.399 --> 00:32:34.339 Spreads across the world. 00:32:34.579 --> 00:32:35.919 In people worshiping him. 00:32:36.079 --> 00:32:37.500 Starting in Colossians. 00:32:37.679 --> 00:32:39.079 Starting in Kenosha. 00:32:44.240 --> 00:32:44.799 Worship. 00:32:47.319 --> 00:32:48.819 So if avenue one. 00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:50.359 Is the good works of love. 00:32:50.779 --> 00:32:51.500 Avenue two. 00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:53.519 Is increased knowledge. 00:32:53.579 --> 00:32:54.480 Resulting in worship. 00:32:55.179 --> 00:32:56.000 Avenue three. 00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:58.980 Is a very interesting one. 00:33:02.819 --> 00:33:03.680 Paul prays. 00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:05.079 Paul talks about it like this. 00:33:06.500 --> 00:33:07.240 Verse 11. 00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:08.660 Being strengthened with all power. 00:33:08.819 --> 00:33:10.119 According to his glorious might. 00:33:10.279 --> 00:33:12.119 For all endurance and patience. 00:33:12.660 --> 00:33:13.559 With might. 00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:14.900 Excuse me. 00:33:14.940 --> 00:33:16.140 With all endurance and patience. 00:33:16.140 --> 00:33:21.740 Paul is praying. 00:33:22.040 --> 00:33:22.320 He is. 00:33:22.420 --> 00:33:22.800 He is. 00:33:22.840 --> 00:33:23.100 He is. 00:33:23.100 --> 00:33:23.120 He is. 00:33:23.120 --> 00:33:23.140 He is. 00:33:23.140 --> 00:33:24.020 Asking God. 00:33:24.340 --> 00:33:24.920 The father. 00:33:25.020 --> 00:33:26.460 To pour out the Holy Spirit. 00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:28.080 Upon the Colossians. 00:33:28.280 --> 00:33:29.820 So that Christ would be exalted. 00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:30.620 That they would bear. 00:33:30.980 --> 00:33:31.580 Good fruit. 00:33:31.740 --> 00:33:32.480 That they would increase. 00:33:32.560 --> 00:33:33.420 In the knowledge of God. 00:33:33.580 --> 00:33:35.660 And that they would be strengthened. 00:33:37.880 --> 00:33:39.660 With God's glorious might. 00:33:40.880 --> 00:33:41.940 Not your own. 00:33:44.120 --> 00:33:45.320 Do you know why? 00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:47.780 Paul is praying. 00:33:48.200 --> 00:33:49.280 That this church. 00:33:49.560 --> 00:33:50.600 Would be strengthened. 00:33:50.600 --> 00:33:51.660 With God's might. 00:33:53.640 --> 00:33:55.160 It's not so that you could. 00:33:55.160 --> 00:33:56.920 Flex your spiritual muscles. 00:33:59.420 --> 00:34:00.880 It's for that last part. 00:34:02.640 --> 00:34:04.440 For all endurance and patience. 00:34:05.900 --> 00:34:06.800 Think about it. 00:34:08.079 --> 00:34:09.300 When we seek. 00:34:09.660 --> 00:34:10.640 To live lives. 00:34:11.200 --> 00:34:12.300 That please Christ. 00:34:12.440 --> 00:34:14.000 That are walking in a manner. 00:34:14.180 --> 00:34:14.920 Worthy of him. 00:34:15.119 --> 00:34:15.860 In everything. 00:34:16.139 --> 00:34:19.119 It's going to be offensive. 00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:19.559 To people. 00:34:20.759 --> 00:34:21.659 Just think about. 00:34:21.779 --> 00:34:22.279 Our cultures. 00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:24.059 Shift on matters. 00:34:24.059 --> 00:34:24.879 Of sexuality. 00:34:26.099 --> 00:34:26.859 And so when you seek. 00:34:26.940 --> 00:34:27.759 To please Christ. 00:34:27.839 --> 00:34:28.900 And what he has said. 00:34:29.639 --> 00:34:30.079 Clearly. 00:34:30.359 --> 00:34:31.179 In the gospels. 00:34:31.699 --> 00:34:32.460 Marriage is one. 00:34:32.559 --> 00:34:33.219 Chromosomal man. 00:34:33.299 --> 00:34:33.799 Married to one. 00:34:33.940 --> 00:34:34.639 Chromosomal woman. 00:34:34.920 --> 00:34:35.579 For life. 00:34:35.739 --> 00:34:36.420 Before God. 00:34:36.579 --> 00:34:36.879 Done. 00:34:37.440 --> 00:34:38.059 And when you're like. 00:34:38.159 --> 00:34:38.319 Oh. 00:34:38.559 --> 00:34:39.460 That pleases you. 00:34:39.599 --> 00:34:39.879 I'm going to. 00:34:40.319 --> 00:34:41.059 I'm lining up. 00:34:41.059 --> 00:34:43.460 That's going to be offensive. 00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:44.639 To more and more people. 00:34:46.860 --> 00:34:48.559 And when it becomes offensive. 00:34:48.980 --> 00:34:49.559 To people. 00:34:52.079 --> 00:34:53.380 You get ridiculed. 00:34:55.299 --> 00:34:56.659 People start showing you. 00:34:57.039 --> 00:34:57.440 Hostility. 00:34:57.440 --> 00:35:01.360 You will also. 00:35:02.619 --> 00:35:03.519 Be rejected. 00:35:05.039 --> 00:35:06.380 Because Christ is central. 00:35:06.500 --> 00:35:07.059 In your life. 00:35:07.360 --> 00:35:08.639 Because you're wanting to please him. 00:35:08.679 --> 00:35:09.579 Above all else. 00:35:09.940 --> 00:35:10.800 People see that. 00:35:10.860 --> 00:35:11.260 And they're like. 00:35:13.820 --> 00:35:14.260 Cancelled. 00:35:14.260 --> 00:35:14.340 Cancelled. 00:35:14.340 --> 00:35:18.240 It won't be easy. 00:35:18.280 --> 00:35:18.600 Will it? 00:35:20.360 --> 00:35:21.620 So Paul prays. 00:35:22.960 --> 00:35:24.039 For this church. 00:35:24.980 --> 00:35:26.220 That they would be filled with the spirit. 00:35:26.440 --> 00:35:29.460 That they would live for God's will. 00:35:30.120 --> 00:35:30.640 Christ. 00:35:30.980 --> 00:35:31.960 In everything. 00:35:32.519 --> 00:35:33.420 And with that. 00:35:33.660 --> 00:35:35.019 They would be increased. 00:35:35.500 --> 00:35:36.880 In the might of God. 00:35:36.960 --> 00:35:37.559 To endure. 00:35:38.760 --> 00:35:39.960 Endure the heat. 00:35:41.019 --> 00:35:42.059 That comes. 00:35:42.539 --> 00:35:43.620 When we offend people. 00:35:44.340 --> 00:35:46.480 Simply because we're just trying to please our Lord. 00:35:46.920 --> 00:35:48.240 But it's just not limited. 00:35:49.059 --> 00:35:51.000 To enduring what non-Christians think. 00:35:51.100 --> 00:35:52.780 There's this word patience in there. 00:35:57.039 --> 00:35:58.260 There's a good chance. 00:35:59.400 --> 00:36:01.600 As we live our life together as a church. 00:36:02.760 --> 00:36:05.000 That brothers and sisters will offend one another. 00:36:07.059 --> 00:36:08.480 We'll sin against each other. 00:36:08.480 --> 00:36:11.480 Or we'll perceive being sinned by another. 00:36:11.480 --> 00:36:14.019 And the call here. 00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:15.280 Is to be strengthened. 00:36:15.280 --> 00:36:17.199 By God's very spirit. 00:36:17.380 --> 00:36:19.199 By his glorious might. 00:36:19.340 --> 00:36:22.639 That we would be able to long suffer. 00:36:23.179 --> 00:36:24.260 With each other. 00:36:24.679 --> 00:36:27.260 To bear with one another in love. 00:36:27.539 --> 00:36:29.740 To choose to forgive. 00:36:29.980 --> 00:36:32.059 Over holding a grudge. 00:36:32.059 --> 00:36:35.960 It's by the strength of his might. 00:36:36.719 --> 00:36:38.860 Not by the will of your spirit. 00:36:40.579 --> 00:36:41.679 God help us. 00:36:42.519 --> 00:36:43.279 Strengthen us. 00:36:43.980 --> 00:36:46.239 To live lives marked by unity. 00:36:47.099 --> 00:36:47.980 Do you see when we. 00:36:48.920 --> 00:36:50.759 When we seek to please Christ. 00:36:50.960 --> 00:36:52.199 In all things. 00:36:53.199 --> 00:36:54.039 Grudges fall. 00:36:54.039 --> 00:37:00.659 So this fourth avenue. 00:37:01.800 --> 00:37:02.820 Is endurance. 00:37:03.559 --> 00:37:04.679 An enduring walk. 00:37:07.079 --> 00:37:08.599 That was the third way. 00:37:08.659 --> 00:37:09.340 The fourth way. 00:37:10.920 --> 00:37:11.880 The fourth avenue. 00:37:14.219 --> 00:37:15.519 Is in verse 12. 00:37:16.219 --> 00:37:17.420 Giving thanks to the father. 00:37:17.539 --> 00:37:18.759 Who has qualified you to share. 00:37:18.860 --> 00:37:20.380 In the inheritance of the saints of light. 00:37:20.380 --> 00:37:21.980 So. 00:37:22.619 --> 00:37:23.579 We are to. 00:37:24.640 --> 00:37:25.980 Please Christ by loving. 00:37:26.160 --> 00:37:26.880 We are to please. 00:37:27.300 --> 00:37:28.340 Christ by worshiping. 00:37:28.420 --> 00:37:29.019 We are to please. 00:37:29.340 --> 00:37:30.480 Christ by enduring. 00:37:30.680 --> 00:37:31.480 And being patient. 00:37:31.940 --> 00:37:33.380 And we are to please Christ. 00:37:33.380 --> 00:37:34.200 By giving. 00:37:34.860 --> 00:37:35.860 By giving thanks. 00:37:36.059 --> 00:37:36.480 To God. 00:37:36.559 --> 00:37:37.340 Would you flip over. 00:37:37.920 --> 00:37:38.539 In Colossians. 00:37:38.660 --> 00:37:40.160 To Colossians chapter 3. 00:37:40.519 --> 00:37:41.320 Verses 15. 00:37:41.460 --> 00:37:41.820 16. 00:37:41.900 --> 00:37:42.400 And 17. 00:37:42.740 --> 00:37:43.960 I'm going to show you something. 00:37:44.480 --> 00:37:46.420 And it is not coincidence. 00:37:46.420 --> 00:37:51.740 And let the peace of Christ. 00:37:51.840 --> 00:37:52.599 Rule in your hearts. 00:37:53.079 --> 00:37:54.180 To which indeed. 00:37:54.280 --> 00:37:55.400 You were called in one body. 00:37:56.300 --> 00:37:57.180 And be thankful. 00:37:58.740 --> 00:37:59.139 16. 00:37:59.380 --> 00:38:00.240 Let the word of Christ. 00:38:00.340 --> 00:38:01.119 Dwell in you richly. 00:38:01.220 --> 00:38:02.019 Teaching and admonishing. 00:38:02.159 --> 00:38:02.539 One another. 00:38:02.700 --> 00:38:03.539 And all wisdom. 00:38:03.960 --> 00:38:04.960 Singing psalms. 00:38:05.039 --> 00:38:05.440 And hymns. 00:38:05.480 --> 00:38:06.340 And spiritual songs. 00:38:06.599 --> 00:38:07.700 With thankfulness. 00:38:07.740 --> 00:38:08.480 In your hearts. 00:38:08.539 --> 00:38:08.960 To God. 00:38:09.980 --> 00:38:10.579 Verse 17. 00:38:10.680 --> 00:38:11.539 And whatever you do. 00:38:11.599 --> 00:38:12.240 In word or deed. 00:38:12.340 --> 00:38:13.260 Do everything in the name. 00:38:13.260 --> 00:38:14.059 Of the Lord Jesus. 00:38:14.480 --> 00:38:15.800 Giving thanks to God. 00:38:15.800 --> 00:38:16.840 The Father. 00:38:17.000 --> 00:38:17.600 Through him. 00:38:18.580 --> 00:38:19.640 Giving thanks to God. 00:38:19.700 --> 00:38:20.280 Through Christ. 00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:21.240 Pleases Christ. 00:38:21.400 --> 00:38:22.519 It is a way. 00:38:22.600 --> 00:38:23.360 In which we walk. 00:38:23.380 --> 00:38:23.700 In a manner. 00:38:23.860 --> 00:38:24.640 Worthy of the Lord. 00:38:27.300 --> 00:38:28.800 And Paul doesn't leave you hanging. 00:38:30.280 --> 00:38:31.260 He doesn't say. 00:38:31.340 --> 00:38:31.500 Hey. 00:38:31.660 --> 00:38:32.560 Walk this way. 00:38:32.980 --> 00:38:33.620 Do it. 00:38:34.900 --> 00:38:35.539 He says. 00:38:35.580 --> 00:38:36.400 Walk this way. 00:38:36.640 --> 00:38:37.160 Be thankful. 00:38:37.300 --> 00:38:38.100 And here's why. 00:38:39.360 --> 00:38:40.420 Look what he says. 00:38:42.000 --> 00:38:43.340 Who has qualified you. 00:38:43.380 --> 00:38:44.400 To share in the inheritance. 00:38:44.400 --> 00:38:45.120 Of the saints. 00:38:45.119 --> 00:38:46.039 And light. 00:38:46.039 --> 00:38:46.400 What? 00:38:46.719 --> 00:38:48.000 God the Father qualified me. 00:38:48.019 --> 00:38:49.119 To share in the inheritance. 00:38:49.219 --> 00:38:49.699 What's that? 00:38:49.960 --> 00:38:50.759 It's your salvation. 00:38:51.239 --> 00:38:51.659 But how? 00:38:51.799 --> 00:38:53.119 How did God qualify us? 00:38:53.440 --> 00:38:54.339 Look verse 13. 00:38:54.719 --> 00:38:55.579 He qualified you. 00:38:55.679 --> 00:38:56.500 By his grace. 00:38:56.859 --> 00:38:57.400 When he. 00:38:57.739 --> 00:38:58.719 Delivered us. 00:38:58.819 --> 00:38:59.839 From the domain of darkness. 00:39:00.079 --> 00:39:01.099 And transferred us. 00:39:01.279 --> 00:39:02.039 To the kingdom. 00:39:02.219 --> 00:39:03.380 Of his beloved son. 00:39:04.059 --> 00:39:05.019 That was him. 00:39:05.699 --> 00:39:06.799 Qualifying you. 00:39:07.839 --> 00:39:09.199 To share in salvation. 00:39:10.319 --> 00:39:12.059 To be brought into the kingdom. 00:39:12.179 --> 00:39:12.900 By his grace. 00:39:12.900 --> 00:39:13.860 Not by your works. 00:39:13.860 --> 00:39:15.420 By the finished work of Jesus. 00:39:16.920 --> 00:39:17.740 And he's saying. 00:39:18.400 --> 00:39:19.059 Let this. 00:39:19.440 --> 00:39:21.240 Be a source of thanks. 00:39:21.579 --> 00:39:22.019 To God. 00:39:23.639 --> 00:39:24.960 He goes on to say. 00:39:25.639 --> 00:39:26.500 Speaking of. 00:39:27.180 --> 00:39:28.599 This kingdom of the beloved son. 00:39:29.039 --> 00:39:30.440 In whom we have redemption. 00:39:31.180 --> 00:39:32.460 The forgiveness of sins. 00:39:34.240 --> 00:39:35.380 Jesus paid it all. 00:39:36.500 --> 00:39:37.840 All to him I owe. 00:39:37.840 --> 00:39:40.039 Sin had left. 00:39:40.120 --> 00:39:41.220 A crimson stain. 00:39:42.220 --> 00:39:43.840 He washed us. 00:39:45.180 --> 00:39:46.100 White as snow. 00:39:46.920 --> 00:39:47.579 In him. 00:39:49.320 --> 00:39:50.480 We have redemption. 00:39:51.140 --> 00:39:52.160 The forgiveness of sin. 00:39:52.300 --> 00:39:53.000 Which means this. 00:39:53.300 --> 00:39:55.680 Christian you've always got something to be thankful for. 00:39:55.980 --> 00:39:56.539 Always. 00:39:56.820 --> 00:39:57.120 Always. 00:39:57.640 --> 00:39:58.880 God has forgiven you. 00:39:59.120 --> 00:40:00.079 The little sins. 00:40:00.300 --> 00:40:01.539 And the great sins. 00:40:01.800 --> 00:40:02.760 All of your sins. 00:40:02.900 --> 00:40:03.620 Paid in full. 00:40:03.860 --> 00:40:04.740 By Jesus. 00:40:04.739 --> 00:40:05.179 That's. 00:40:05.819 --> 00:40:06.739 Colossians 2.13. 00:40:07.059 --> 00:40:08.599 It's all been nailed to the cross. 00:40:10.199 --> 00:40:10.839 And so. 00:40:11.699 --> 00:40:13.339 You've always got something to be thankful for. 00:40:14.139 --> 00:40:15.979 God thank you so much for forgiving me. 00:40:16.079 --> 00:40:18.239 Those stupid things when I did as a teenager. 00:40:18.519 --> 00:40:19.859 And when I was in my 20s. 00:40:19.979 --> 00:40:21.259 And then when I was in my 30s. 00:40:21.699 --> 00:40:23.000 In my 40s. 00:40:23.759 --> 00:40:25.459 And starting in my 50s. 00:40:25.460 --> 00:40:25.960 Thank you. 00:40:27.519 --> 00:40:28.000 Thank you. 00:40:28.039 --> 00:40:28.320 Thank you. 00:40:28.380 --> 00:40:28.699 Thank you. 00:40:28.740 --> 00:40:30.220 Thank you for bringing me into your kingdom. 00:40:30.400 --> 00:40:32.440 I don't want to be anywhere else. 00:40:32.780 --> 00:40:34.720 But pleasing you in your kingdom. 00:40:36.420 --> 00:40:37.599 That's joy filled gratitude. 00:40:38.539 --> 00:40:40.760 That's Jesus centered gratitude. 00:40:42.340 --> 00:40:44.679 This is the four full way to please Christ. 00:40:45.300 --> 00:40:45.699 Love. 00:40:45.960 --> 00:40:46.220 Worship. 00:40:46.519 --> 00:40:46.900 Endure. 00:40:47.699 --> 00:40:48.500 Give thanks. 00:40:48.500 --> 00:40:50.099 Hey I got a question for you. 00:40:51.760 --> 00:40:53.199 What is God's will for your life? 00:40:55.460 --> 00:40:58.000 We've seen the ask. 00:40:58.960 --> 00:41:00.119 That God would fill. 00:41:00.800 --> 00:41:02.599 These Christians with the knowledge of his will. 00:41:02.960 --> 00:41:05.039 We've seen the aim of that will. 00:41:05.340 --> 00:41:06.840 To please Christ in everything. 00:41:06.980 --> 00:41:08.420 And now we've seen the four full way. 00:41:08.740 --> 00:41:09.019 Love. 00:41:09.280 --> 00:41:09.519 Worship. 00:41:09.740 --> 00:41:10.179 Endurance. 00:41:10.440 --> 00:41:11.159 Giving thanks. 00:41:12.039 --> 00:41:14.840 This passage just doesn't inform our prayer life. 00:41:15.720 --> 00:41:17.039 It instructs us. 00:41:17.039 --> 00:41:19.800 How to live our lives for Christ. 00:41:25.460 --> 00:41:26.400 You don't need to dread it. 00:41:29.400 --> 00:41:30.539 Don't dismiss it. 00:41:32.720 --> 00:41:34.300 Oh please don't distort this. 00:41:36.280 --> 00:41:37.179 It's delight. 00:41:37.840 --> 00:41:39.539 In pleasing our Lord Jesus. 00:41:40.579 --> 00:41:41.260 So in closing. 00:41:42.260 --> 00:41:44.019 I got a question for you. 00:41:44.159 --> 00:41:44.740 And then I'm going to pray. 00:41:45.300 --> 00:41:45.960 One more time. 00:41:46.599 --> 00:41:47.260 What is Christ? 00:41:47.440 --> 00:41:48.260 What is God's love? 00:41:48.900 --> 00:41:49.760 What is Christ's will? 00:41:49.960 --> 00:41:51.380 What is God's will for your life? 00:41:51.380 --> 00:41:53.880 To please Christ. 00:41:54.880 --> 00:41:55.660 In everything. 00:41:55.940 --> 00:41:56.420 Pray with me. 00:41:58.559 --> 00:41:59.539 Father in heaven. 00:42:00.599 --> 00:42:03.160 We are in way over our heads. 00:42:04.700 --> 00:42:08.539 So would you pour out your spirit upon us. 00:42:09.260 --> 00:42:10.900 In greater measure. 00:42:13.039 --> 00:42:17.200 That we would please Christ in everything. 00:42:17.199 --> 00:42:20.619 By your spirit make us more loving. 00:42:21.359 --> 00:42:24.199 By your spirit make us more worshipful. 00:42:24.779 --> 00:42:27.639 By your spirit help us to endure. 00:42:28.460 --> 00:42:30.079 And by your spirit. 00:42:30.739 --> 00:42:32.519 May we give thanks. 00:42:33.219 --> 00:42:34.299 To you again and again. 00:42:35.139 --> 00:42:36.399 And all of God's people said. 00:42:37.439 --> 00:42:37.960 Amen.