WEBVTT

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 If you would open up your Bibles to Colossians chapter 1 verses 3 through 8,

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 it's on page 1168 in your pew Bible, which is in your pew.

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 Now, if you're new to a Christian service like this,

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 what I'm about to do is I'm going to preach from the Bible.

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 And so I'm going to read this passage,

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 and then I'm going to proclaim it and explain it and apply it to our lives.

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 So that's what I'll be doing for the next several minutes.

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 Let me read Colossians 1, 3 through 8.

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 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you.

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 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,

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 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven,

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 of this you have heard before in the word of truth,

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 the gospel which has come to you,

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 as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing,

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 as it always does among you,

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 since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God and truth,

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 just as you learned it from Epaphras,

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 our beloved fellow servant.

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 He is a faithful minister of God on your behalf,

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 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

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 May God bless the hearing of His word.

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 Now if I were to ask you this question,

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 if you were to describe what I just read,

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 in terms of darkness or brightness,

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 how would you describe it?

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 Is verses 3 through 8 dark?

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 Or is it bright?

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 And I'm guessing you all would say something like,

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 it's bright.

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 It's bright because it's full of thanksgiving to God.

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 And the Colossian church,

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 the group of Christians 20 centuries ago

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 who first received this,

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 they would have been encouraged by this.

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 They would have been assured by this.

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 But could you imagine if the Apostle Paul started off

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 with a little something more dark?

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 Like this.

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 Saints in Colossae, it's Paul.

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 You all are such a headache.

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 If what Epaphras told us is true,

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 you all can't seem to recognize a basic false teaching

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 that is distracting you from the centrality of Christ.

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 Seriously?

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 You all need to get your act together

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 because I'm starting to wonder

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 if you all are worth my time and suffering.

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 Lovesies.

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 T-A-P.

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 The Apostle Paul.

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 Now could you imagine if you were in the room

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 when this letter starting that way was first read?

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 If you were in that church,

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 I'm guessing you'd be like,

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 oh man.

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 Discouraged.

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 Devastated perhaps.

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 Doubtful even.

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 This is not a dark start to Colossians.

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 This is a bright start of thanksgiving to God.

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 And these verses are extraordinary

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 because of the thankfulness of them,

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 because of the brightness.

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 Throughout the week,

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 you're inundated with messages

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 that are not bright with thanksgiving,

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 but are dark with hopelessness.

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 And what makes this even more extraordinary

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 is when you realize where Paul is writing from.

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 He's writing from a prison in Rome.

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 Just feet from him is a Praetorian guard.

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 He's waiting on whether he is going to die or not.

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 And in the depths of that darkness of circumstance

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 comes this bright thanksgiving.

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 How can somebody

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 under these circumstances

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 be so thankful?

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 Have you heard the hymn,

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 Prone to Wander?

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 Prone to grumble.

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 Lord, I feel it.

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 Prone to grumble

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 against the God I love.

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 Brothers and sisters,

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 what's at the heart of thanksgiving?

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 What's at the heart of Christian thanksgiving?

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 Because I don't know about you,

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 but I need it.

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 Do you need it?

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 Yes and amen.

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 We all need it.

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 And in this passage,

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 what is going to become clear

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 is at the heart of the Apostle Paul's

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 thanksgiving in brightness

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 is a Christ centrality

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 that makes him others focused.

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 Christ.

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 And we're going to see that played out

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 as he gives us three reasons for his thanksgiving.

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 Reason number one is going to be this.

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 God's proofs of purchase.

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 Reason number two is God's global work.

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 And the third reason for this thankfulness

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 is a particular faithful servant of Jesus.

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 What's at the center of all

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 is a Christ-centered others orientation

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 that makes this apostle pray this way.

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 And I find it super compelling.

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 At the center of it all is Christ.

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 Christ.

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 So let's get into this.

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 The reason one for Paul's thanksgiving.

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 Why he would say,

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 we always thank God when we pray for you.

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 That's extraordinary.

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 Why?

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 Reason number one is in verses four through five.

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 God's proofs of purchase.

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 And I'm using proofs

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 because there's more than one proof.

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 The first proof of purchase

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 is in verse four.

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 We always thank God when we pray for you

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 since we heard of your faith

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 in Christ Jesus.

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 Faith, of course, is an active trust.

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 Last month I was talking about faith

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 as an exercise of like stepping out onto ice.

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 And that ice is the object of your faith.

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 What you're putting your faith in.

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 When it comes to Christianity,

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 we are putting our faith,

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 not in ourselves.

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 We're not putting our faith in our faith.

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 We're putting our faith in Christ Jesus.

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 And so what Paul is saying here

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 is he's giving thanks to God

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 whenever he prays for these Colossians

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 because of their faith in Christ Jesus.

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 That he's totally God, totally man.

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 That Jesus has hung on a cross

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 for six hours on a particular Friday

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 to bear all of God's wrath

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 for all who would ever believe.

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 Salvation is in no one else.

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 You know, the result of this kind of saving faith,

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 you read it in Colossians chapter one,

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 verses 13 and 14.

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 For those who believe,

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 he's delivered us from the domain of darkness

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 and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved son

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 in whom we have redemption,

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 the forgiveness of sins.

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 You get flipped by God's grace.

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 So the first thing that fuels Paul's thanksgiving,

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 the first proof here,

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 is their actual faith in Christ.

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 Now, I find it interesting

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 that the Apostle Paul gives thanks to God

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 for the Colossians' faith in Christ.

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 Now, don't you find that interesting?

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 The second proof

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 is found in verse four,

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 and of the love that you have for all the saints.

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 The love that Paul is talking about

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 is a distinct love among Christians.

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 It is the hallmark virtue of all Christians.

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 It's what we're to be known most for,

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 our love for one another.

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 It's the sticky love.

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 Not sticky gross, sticky good.

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 That Jesus commands us to in John 13.

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 Let me read you this.

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 This is the new commandment that he gives us.

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 A new commandment I give to you

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 that you love one another

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 just as I have loved you.

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 You also are to love one another.

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 By this, all people will know

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 that you are my disciples

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 if you have love for one another.

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 A sacrificial love.

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 A love that goes beyond stereotypes.

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 A love that goes beyond gender.

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 A love that goes beyond race.

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 A love that goes beyond economic background.

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 What baggage you got.

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 It's I love you the way that Christ loves me,

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 and that is a furious love.

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 And the Colossians were loving each other that way.

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 All the saints.

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 Now I find it interesting

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 that Paul is actually thanking God

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 for the way that these Colossians

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 are loving one another.

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 Don't you?

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 The third proof is in verse 5.

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 Because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.

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 What is this hope

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 that the Apostle Paul is writing about

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 from his prison cell?

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 Look at chapter 3, verses 1 and 2.

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 We don't need to speculate.

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 We just look in the context.

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 If then you have been raised with Christ,

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 seek the things that are above.

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 Huh.

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 Hope.

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 You know, up in heaven.

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 Where Christ is.

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 Seated at the right hand of God.

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 Set your minds on the things that are above,

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 not on the things that are on earth.

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 The hope that Paul is talking about

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 that's stored up for these Colossians

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 is none other than the risen and reigning Jesus Christ.

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 Are you following this?

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 Faith in Christ.

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 Love like Christ.

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 Hope in Christ.

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 The hope that Jesus is not just risen,

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 but He's reigning.

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 All things have been put under His feet.

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 And He's bringing His reign to bear

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 all across the world today.

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 He is our hope.

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 There's something interesting in verses 4 and 5.

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 There's an interesting relationship

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 between the Colossians' love for all the saints

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 and their hope that is laid up for them in heaven.

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 Look at the first word of verse 5.

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 It's the word because.

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 Do you know what the Apostle Paul is saying?

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 Do you know what the Apostle Paul is saying?

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 That this church loves all the saints

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 because of this hope laid up for them in heaven.

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 Because Jesus is risen and reigning,

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 they love each other furiously.

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 It's interesting though,

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 that Paul is thanking God for their hope.

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 He's not thanking the Colossians.

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 He's not thanking Colossians,

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 thank you so much for being so full of faith towards Jesus.

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 Colossians, thank you so much for your love for one another.

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 Thank you so much for the hope laid up for you in heaven.

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 Do you know why Paul is thanking God for these things that he sees,

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 he's heard of in the Colossians?

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 Because it's all God's grace.

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 This is all God's grace in the Colossian church.

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 Their faith in Christ is a result of God's grace in their life.

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 Their love for one another is a result of God's grace in their life.

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 Their hope laid up for them in heaven is God's grace to them.

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 Nothing they earned in their three proofs of purchase.

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 Do you know what a proof of purchase is?

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 Let me give you an example.

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 I walk into Piggly Wiggly.

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 I walk three miles to the dairy department

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 because they always put in the back of the room.

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 I grab a gallon of milk.

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 I walk up to the checkout aisle.

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 The checkout person checks me out.

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 And then they put an orange sticker on the milk gallon

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 with a smiley, piggly, wiggly face.

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 Do you know what I'm talking about?

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 Do you know what that is?

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 It's a proof of purchase.

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 So when I'm leaving the building

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 and someone stops me as a potential thief,

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 I hold up my milk jug and say,

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 proof of purchase!

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 I've never done that.

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 I'm being a little dramatic.

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 But what Paul is saying here is this.

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 Your love for one another,

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 your faith in Christ,

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 your hope in Jesus risen and reigning,

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 proofs of purchase.

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 You've been bought by the blood of Jesus.

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 That's what he's saying.

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 That's what he's thankful for.

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 And there's a beauty to it, isn't there?

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 They've been flipped by God's grace.

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 You know, when the Colossians heard this read to them

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 for the first time,

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 you know what the effect of them would be?

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 All glory to God.

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 Thank you, God, for what you're doing in our midst.

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 It's Godward.

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 It's Christ-centered.

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 It's others-oriented.

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 Now, the question that I want to ask for us right now

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 before we move on to the second reason for this Thanksgiving

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 is ask this question,

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 so what?

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 What difference does this make 20 centuries later?

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 Well, here's the first difference.

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 Does anybody have a lagging prayer life?

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 This will jumpstart your prayer life.

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 When you start praying Christ-centered,

00:15:22.899 --> 00:15:24.519
 God-thanking prayers

00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:27.240
 that are focused on others,

00:15:28.439 --> 00:15:29.860
 you know what I've been doing for the last,

00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:32.960
 several hours, last few days,

00:15:33.019 --> 00:15:34.220
 I've been thanking God.

00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:38.500
 We were down outside Chicago

00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:39.980
 for my dad's birthday yesterday,

00:15:41.080 --> 00:15:44.419
 and I've been thanking God

00:15:44.419 --> 00:15:47.340
 for the faith of my father,

00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:50.919
 for the love my dad has shown the saints,

00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:53.680
 for the hope he has

00:15:53.680 --> 00:15:55.580
 that's in heaven.

00:15:55.580 --> 00:15:57.820
 Thank you, God,

00:15:57.900 --> 00:15:59.340
 for your work of grace

00:15:59.340 --> 00:16:00.680
 and Steve Salvati.

00:16:02.060 --> 00:16:04.139
 Man, that jumpstarts your prayer life.

00:16:06.160 --> 00:16:06.920
 Christ-centered,

00:16:07.540 --> 00:16:08.360
 God-thanking,

00:16:08.940 --> 00:16:09.639
 others-oriented.

00:16:11.280 --> 00:16:12.580
 The second thing

00:16:12.580 --> 00:16:14.060
 that I just want to point out,

00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:18.200
 this,

00:16:19.780 --> 00:16:22.320
 there's a kingdom priority going on here.

00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:25.100
 I find it really interesting

00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:27.879
 what Paul chooses to focus on

00:16:27.879 --> 00:16:29.360
 in his thanksgiving

00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:30.660
 in verses 4 and 5.

00:16:31.320 --> 00:16:32.680
 He could have said this,

00:16:34.680 --> 00:16:36.400
 I give thanks to God,

00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:37.940
 the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:39.100
 whenever I pray for you,

00:16:39.200 --> 00:16:40.760
 for all of the speaking in tongues

00:16:40.760 --> 00:16:41.220
 you're doing,

00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:43.520
 for all the prophecies being given,

00:16:44.200 --> 00:16:45.260
 for all the healings

00:16:45.260 --> 00:16:46.120
 that have been being made.

00:16:46.840 --> 00:16:48.200
 I thank God

00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:50.140
 for all the really personal

00:16:50.140 --> 00:16:51.980
 and meaningful worship experiences

00:16:51.980 --> 00:16:52.659
 you've been having

00:16:52.659 --> 00:16:53.460
 on a Sunday morning.

00:16:55.820 --> 00:16:56.980
 He doesn't do that.

00:16:58.980 --> 00:17:00.320
 He's not denying that.

00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:04.279
 But he's prioritizing something.

00:17:06.140 --> 00:17:06.620
 Faith.

00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:08.579
 Love.

00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:10.519
 Hope.

00:17:11.380 --> 00:17:12.900
 This is the holy triad.

00:17:13.900 --> 00:17:15.160
 We see it showing up

00:17:15.160 --> 00:17:17.000
 in 1 Corinthians 13, 13.

00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:19.500
 The greatest of which is love.

00:17:20.400 --> 00:17:21.779
 Because love never ends.

00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:25.160
 I find that very instructive

00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:27.180
 in terms of

00:17:27.180 --> 00:17:29.440
 what we must be prioritizing,

00:17:29.579 --> 00:17:31.240
 what we must be valuing,

00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:32.819
 what we're looking for

00:17:32.819 --> 00:17:33.759
 when we're looking on

00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:34.599
 our brothers and sisters

00:17:34.599 --> 00:17:36.120
 and we're looking to spy

00:17:36.120 --> 00:17:37.460
 God's grace at work.

00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:40.220
 We're looking for faith in Christ.

00:17:40.420 --> 00:17:41.720
 We're looking for love

00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.400
 for the saints.

00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:43.960
 We're looking for hope

00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:45.079
 in the risen and reigning

00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:47.279
 and soon to be returning Jesus.

00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:47.599
 God's grace at us.

00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:50.460
 It's instructive.

00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:52.440
 It's helpful.

00:17:53.700 --> 00:17:54.960
 Now I don't know about you

00:17:54.960 --> 00:17:55.240
 but

00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:58.180
 I want to be like that.

00:17:59.139 --> 00:18:00.500
 I want to pray like that.

00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:02.399
 I want to prioritize like that.

00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:04.779
 I want to be Christ-centered

00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:05.779
 others oriented.

00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:08.559
 Do you?

00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:11.879
 Reason one,

00:18:12.220 --> 00:18:13.460
 God's proofs of purchase.

00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:14.839
 Reason two,

00:18:15.059 --> 00:18:16.039
 God's global work.

00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:16.079
 work.

00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:19.779
 In verse five,

00:18:19.859 --> 00:18:20.319
 we read this,

00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:21.099
 because of the hope

00:18:21.099 --> 00:18:22.200
 laid up for you in heaven,

00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:23.619
 of this,

00:18:23.899 --> 00:18:25.220
 it's a reference to the hope

00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:26.440
 laid up for them in heaven,

00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:28.460
 of this hope laid up for you

00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:29.180
 in heaven,

00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:33.500
 you heard before

00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:34.299
 in the word of truth

00:18:34.299 --> 00:18:34.879
 the gospel.

00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:39.839
 That word gospel,

00:18:40.879 --> 00:18:43.159
 it's a word that many of us

00:18:43.159 --> 00:18:44.559
 hear often

00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:48.099
 but back in antiquity

00:18:48.099 --> 00:18:49.279
 when that word

00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:50.200
 is being used

00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:51.659
 more generally,

00:18:51.659 --> 00:18:52.980
 it was being used

00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:54.339
 to talk about

00:18:54.339 --> 00:18:54.899
 the announcement

00:18:54.899 --> 00:18:56.819
 of any good thing.

00:18:58.519 --> 00:19:00.000
 The good news of a birth.

00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:04.240
 The good news of a military victory.

00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:06.740
 The good news of a job promotion.

00:19:07.899 --> 00:19:08.480
 The gospel.

00:19:08.919 --> 00:19:09.159
 Oh yeah,

00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:10.359
 I got gospel news.

00:19:10.359 --> 00:19:12.179
 You know,

00:19:12.899 --> 00:19:14.319
 my niece has been born.

00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:19.299
 The Christian gospel

00:19:19.299 --> 00:19:22.459
 is good news

00:19:22.459 --> 00:19:23.919
 announcing who Jesus is

00:19:23.919 --> 00:19:24.639
 and what he's done.

00:19:25.599 --> 00:19:27.119
 It's a gospel

00:19:27.119 --> 00:19:28.759
 unlike any other gospel.

00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:32.579
 There's no good news like it

00:19:32.579 --> 00:19:35.119
 because God became a man,

00:19:35.419 --> 00:19:36.599
 he lived a perfect life,

00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:38.359
 died on the cross for sinners,

00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:40.079
 was raised from the dead,

00:19:40.379 --> 00:19:41.679
 he's risen and reigning

00:19:41.679 --> 00:19:43.000
 at the right hand of God

00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:43.639
 on high

00:19:43.639 --> 00:19:45.000
 and he's one day closer

00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:46.079
 to his return

00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:47.599
 and it's all good news.

00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:53.359
 The gospel puts Jesus

00:19:53.359 --> 00:19:55.519
 at the center of everything.

00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:59.679
 The gospel of Jesus Christ.

00:20:01.139 --> 00:20:02.119
 And did you notice

00:20:02.119 --> 00:20:03.619
 that little phrase,

00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:04.639
 the word of truth?

00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:06.520
 You heard about

00:20:06.520 --> 00:20:07.820
 the risen and reigning Christ

00:20:07.820 --> 00:20:08.980
 from the word of truth,

00:20:09.100 --> 00:20:09.600
 the gospel.

00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:10.600
 That phrase,

00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:11.320
 the word of truth

00:20:11.320 --> 00:20:11.900
 and the gospel

00:20:11.900 --> 00:20:13.400
 are being used synonymously.

00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:14.640
 The word of truth

00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:15.380
 is the gospel,

00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:16.820
 the gospel is the word of truth,

00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:17.840
 but the word of truth

00:20:17.840 --> 00:20:19.640
 has a little different nuance to it.

00:20:20.120 --> 00:20:21.080
 It's like this.

00:20:21.360 --> 00:20:22.520
 Think about the word of truth,

00:20:22.620 --> 00:20:23.259
 that phrase,

00:20:23.720 --> 00:20:24.540
 as this.

00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:28.220
 God's claim on reality.

00:20:29.380 --> 00:20:30.840
 This is the way things are.

00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:32.560
 The word of truth.

00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:34.980
 God's saying,

00:20:35.579 --> 00:20:39.339
 this is what is true.

00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:42.079
 And what he's saying is true

00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:45.019
 is that Jesus Christ

00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:48.659
 is the center of everything.

00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.059
 Christ central.

00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:56.419
 You know,

00:20:57.419 --> 00:21:01.099
 if everything was a solar system,

00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:05.000
 Jesus Christ

00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:07.039
 is the son

00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:08.980
 of that solar system.

00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:10.959
 Everything

00:21:10.959 --> 00:21:12.159
 orbits

00:21:12.159 --> 00:21:13.079
 Jesus.

00:21:13.639 --> 00:21:14.139
 We're going to see

00:21:14.139 --> 00:21:14.799
 in a couple weeks,

00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:16.379
 he's the creator of all

00:21:16.379 --> 00:21:17.719
 and the sustainer of all.

00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:19.679
 He is the savior of all.

00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:21.079
 All things

00:21:21.079 --> 00:21:22.119
 orbit

00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:22.759
 him.

00:21:23.439 --> 00:21:24.639
 Which means this,

00:21:25.559 --> 00:21:27.079
 when someone believes

00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:27.740
 in the gospel

00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:29.740
 and they are delivered

00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:30.799
 from the domain of darkness

00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:31.440
 and transferred

00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:32.200
 into the kingdom

00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:33.120
 of the beloved son,

00:21:34.279 --> 00:21:35.620
 they are being put

00:21:35.620 --> 00:21:36.339
 in right orbit.

00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:39.539
 They are being brought

00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:40.440
 into reality.

00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:42.900
 The way things

00:21:42.900 --> 00:21:44.500
 truly are.

00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:46.140
 Christ

00:21:46.140 --> 00:21:47.359
 central.

00:21:49.099 --> 00:21:49.759
 So what we see

00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:50.579
 going on here

00:21:50.579 --> 00:21:51.120
 in verse

00:21:51.120 --> 00:21:51.740
 five

00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:52.900
 is

00:21:52.900 --> 00:21:54.319
 the apostle Paul

00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:55.180
 starts talking about

00:21:55.180 --> 00:21:55.740
 this gospel

00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:56.299
 gospel.

00:21:58.160 --> 00:21:59.160
 Now look at it

00:21:59.160 --> 00:21:59.819
 in verse six.

00:22:00.940 --> 00:22:01.400
 The gospel

00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:02.700
 which has come to you.

00:22:02.880 --> 00:22:03.819
 The which is a reference

00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:04.400
 to the gospel.

00:22:04.519 --> 00:22:05.620
 The gospel has come to you,

00:22:05.740 --> 00:22:06.200
 Colossians.

00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:08.160
 As indeed in the whole world,

00:22:08.380 --> 00:22:08.519
 it,

00:22:08.640 --> 00:22:09.140
 the gospel,

00:22:09.640 --> 00:22:10.579
 is bearing fruit

00:22:10.579 --> 00:22:11.440
 and increasing.

00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:12.440
 As it,

00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:13.039
 the gospel,

00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.599
 also does among you

00:22:14.599 --> 00:22:15.819
 since the day you heard

00:22:15.819 --> 00:22:16.079
 it,

00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:16.620
 the gospel,

00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:17.779
 and understood the grace

00:22:17.779 --> 00:22:18.500
 of God and truth.

00:22:18.559 --> 00:22:19.079
 Another reference

00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:19.660
 to the gospel.

00:22:20.099 --> 00:22:21.120
 Just as you learned

00:22:21.120 --> 00:22:21.579
 it,

00:22:21.680 --> 00:22:22.160
 the gospel,

00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:22.700
 verse seven,

00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:23.480
 from Epaphras,

00:22:23.599 --> 00:22:24.640
 our beloved fellow servant.

00:22:24.640 --> 00:22:26.360
 The gospel is all over the place

00:22:26.360 --> 00:22:26.759
 in five,

00:22:26.840 --> 00:22:26.980
 six,

00:22:27.020 --> 00:22:27.380
 and seven.

00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:30.200
 The gospel of Jesus Christ.

00:22:33.720 --> 00:22:34.580
 Did you notice

00:22:34.580 --> 00:22:35.660
 the global scope

00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:36.660
 going on here?

00:22:38.660 --> 00:22:39.380
 As indeed

00:22:39.380 --> 00:22:40.180
 the whole world.

00:22:44.140 --> 00:22:44.600
 God,

00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:45.240
 through the gospel

00:22:45.240 --> 00:22:46.160
 of Jesus Christ,

00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:46.880
 is seeking

00:22:46.880 --> 00:22:48.480
 to do something

00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:49.160
 throughout

00:22:49.160 --> 00:22:50.680
 all of creation,

00:22:51.100 --> 00:22:52.820
 all of fallen creation,

00:22:52.819 --> 00:22:54.399
 all the earth,

00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:55.740
 the whole world,

00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:56.799
 all people,

00:22:57.139 --> 00:22:57.980
 all time,

00:22:58.179 --> 00:22:59.159
 every place.

00:22:59.339 --> 00:23:00.359
 It's a big plan

00:23:00.359 --> 00:23:01.059
 for the fullness

00:23:01.059 --> 00:23:01.659
 of time.

00:23:03.579 --> 00:23:04.919
 It's a global work.

00:23:05.619 --> 00:23:06.299
 And did you notice

00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:08.220
 the filling effect

00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:09.079
 of the gospel?

00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.839
 Not only is it global

00:23:10.839 --> 00:23:11.599
 in its scope,

00:23:11.639 --> 00:23:13.099
 it's looking to fill

00:23:13.099 --> 00:23:13.659
 the world.

00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:18.000
 Which has come to you

00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:18.879
 indeed in the whole world.

00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:20.119
 It is bearing fruit

00:23:20.119 --> 00:23:21.299
 and increasing

00:23:21.299 --> 00:23:23.359
 as it also does

00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:23.939
 among you.

00:23:25.919 --> 00:23:26.939
 Whole world,

00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:28.879
 bearing fruit,

00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:30.379
 increasing,

00:23:32.339 --> 00:23:33.359
 filling the world.

00:23:35.399 --> 00:23:36.839
 I'm indebted to a

00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:38.299
 theologian named

00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:39.679
 G.K. Beal

00:23:39.679 --> 00:23:40.659
 who helped me see

00:23:40.659 --> 00:23:41.259
 over the last

00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:42.799
 about month or so

00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:44.859
 that this is an

00:23:44.859 --> 00:23:45.460
 allusion to

00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:46.899
 Genesis chapter 128.

00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:48.579
 Maybe you're

00:23:48.579 --> 00:23:49.240
 familiar with it.

00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.039
 Do you remember

00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:50.599
 Adam and Eve?

00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:52.519
 God says to them,

00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:54.019
 be fruitful

00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:56.399
 and multiply,

00:23:58.319 --> 00:23:59.180
 fill the earth.

00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:01.019
 Remember that?

00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:04.079
 Do you know

00:24:04.079 --> 00:24:04.759
 what's going on here?

00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:07.879
 The apostle Paul

00:24:07.879 --> 00:24:08.680
 is talking about

00:24:08.680 --> 00:24:09.559
 the spread

00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:10.180
 of the gospel

00:24:10.180 --> 00:24:12.640
 as a new creation

00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:13.279
 work.

00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:16.700
 A Jesus

00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:17.680
 centering

00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:19.700
 that bears

00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:20.240
 fruit

00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:21.519
 and multiplies

00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:23.700
 all around

00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:24.960
 the world.

00:24:26.000 --> 00:24:26.580
 He has gone

00:24:26.580 --> 00:24:27.600
 from being localized

00:24:27.600 --> 00:24:28.400
 in Colossi

00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:29.380
 to now talking,

00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:30.340
 going panorama

00:24:30.340 --> 00:24:31.200
 and talking about

00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:32.039
 the whole world.

00:24:32.340 --> 00:24:33.380
 A global work

00:24:33.380 --> 00:24:33.920
 of God

00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:34.680
 in the gospel

00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:35.640
 of Jesus Christ

00:24:35.640 --> 00:24:36.700
 resulting in

00:24:36.700 --> 00:24:37.360
 bearing fruit

00:24:37.360 --> 00:24:38.360
 and multiplying

00:24:38.359 --> 00:24:39.679
 and worshippers

00:24:39.679 --> 00:24:40.459
 being made.

00:24:41.679 --> 00:24:42.119
 The singing

00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:43.000
 of God's praises

00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:44.899
 throughout the earth.

00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:49.579
 You can see

00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:50.179
 why he's thankful

00:24:50.179 --> 00:24:50.779
 about that.

00:24:52.419 --> 00:24:53.379
 Being Christ

00:24:53.379 --> 00:24:53.699
 centered

00:24:53.699 --> 00:24:54.139
 and others

00:24:54.139 --> 00:24:54.619
 oriented.

00:24:55.919 --> 00:24:57.139
 He's so thankful

00:24:57.139 --> 00:24:58.399
 at what God

00:24:58.399 --> 00:24:58.919
 is doing

00:24:58.919 --> 00:24:59.939
 globally.

00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:01.299
 Not just

00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:02.119
 in Colossi,

00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.139
 globally

00:25:03.139 --> 00:25:05.619
 through the good

00:25:05.619 --> 00:25:06.119
 news of Jesus

00:25:06.119 --> 00:25:06.559
 Christ.

00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:07.879
 God's praises

00:25:07.879 --> 00:25:08.559
 to the good

00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:08.919
 world.

00:25:08.919 --> 00:25:10.000
 So,

00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:11.440
 how do we

00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:11.919
 apply this

00:25:11.919 --> 00:25:12.440
 to our lives

00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:12.720
 today?

00:25:15.539 --> 00:25:16.059
 Anybody

00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:16.679
 familiar with

00:25:16.679 --> 00:25:17.159
 C.S. Lewis?

00:25:18.639 --> 00:25:19.419
 Any familiar

00:25:19.419 --> 00:25:20.359
 with the Narnia series?

00:25:20.579 --> 00:25:20.899
 The Lion,

00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:21.159
 the Witch,

00:25:21.179 --> 00:25:21.659
 and the Wardrobe?

00:25:22.639 --> 00:25:23.460
 There are two

00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:24.519
 characters that I love.

00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:26.859
 Mr. and Mrs.

00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:27.379
 Beaver.

00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:29.079
 Man,

00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:30.299
 he's snotty.

00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:35.259
 Well,

00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:36.399
 Mr. and Mrs.

00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:36.779
 Beaver,

00:25:36.859 --> 00:25:37.399
 I think it was

00:25:37.399 --> 00:25:38.359
 from them first

00:25:38.359 --> 00:25:40.419
 that you start

00:25:40.419 --> 00:25:41.200
 hearing about

00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:41.759
 something.

00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:42.559
 It's spoken

00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:43.319
 in kind of

00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:44.200
 hushed terms.

00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:46.259
 And then you

00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:46.759
 start hearing

00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.619
 different characters

00:25:47.619 --> 00:25:48.099
 say it.

00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:53.379
 Do you know

00:25:53.379 --> 00:25:54.119
 Aslan's on the move?

00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:57.980
 Aslan's on the move.

00:25:57.980 --> 00:26:00.440
 Do you hear

00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:00.880
 the rumors?

00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:03.279
 Aslan's on the move

00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:04.059
 in Narnia.

00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:06.000
 Something's happening.

00:26:07.380 --> 00:26:08.160
 My cousin's

00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:08.620
 neighbor

00:26:08.620 --> 00:26:10.339
 said so.

00:26:11.180 --> 00:26:11.980
 Something's up.

00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:16.039
 And C.S. Lewis

00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:16.700
 who wrote

00:26:16.700 --> 00:26:18.120
 the Narnia series

00:26:18.120 --> 00:26:19.180
 and Aslan

00:26:19.180 --> 00:26:20.000
 in order to

00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:20.720
 point people

00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.240
 to Jesus,

00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:23.759
 what he's

00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.299
 saying is

00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:25.279
 Jesus is on the move.

00:26:25.579 --> 00:26:26.279
 What the Apostle

00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:26.799
 Paul

00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:28.440
 is saying here

00:26:28.440 --> 00:26:29.460
 in verses 5,

00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:29.700
 6,

00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:30.099
 and 7

00:26:30.099 --> 00:26:30.559
 is that

00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:32.120
 Jesus is on the move

00:26:32.120 --> 00:26:34.319
 in the first century

00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:34.799
 world.

00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:36.680
 And he's

00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:37.819
 on the move

00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:39.559
 in the

00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:40.620
 21st century

00:26:40.620 --> 00:26:41.700
 world.

00:26:42.120 --> 00:26:43.059
 In our world.

00:26:43.279 --> 00:26:44.299
 In our day.

00:26:44.680 --> 00:26:45.759
 Jesus is alive.

00:26:45.859 --> 00:26:46.380
 He's reigning.

00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:47.059
 All things are

00:26:47.059 --> 00:26:47.620
 under his feet.

00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:48.140
 He's spreading

00:26:48.140 --> 00:26:48.759
 his kingdom

00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.500
 today.

00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:53.519
 He's on the move

00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:54.079
 in our church.

00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:55.599
 People are being

00:26:55.599 --> 00:26:56.200
 saved.

00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:57.599
 People are being

00:26:57.599 --> 00:26:58.240
 sanctified.

00:26:58.839 --> 00:26:59.680
 They are growing

00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:00.759
 in their faith

00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:01.299
 in Christ.

00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:01.920
 In their love

00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:02.539
 for one another.

00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:03.279
 In their hope

00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:03.660
 in the risen

00:27:03.660 --> 00:27:04.079
 and reigning

00:27:04.079 --> 00:27:04.500
 Jesus.

00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:06.400
 Other churches

00:27:06.400 --> 00:27:07.059
 in Kenosha

00:27:07.059 --> 00:27:08.500
 are proclaiming

00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:08.960
 Jesus

00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:09.619
 and making

00:27:09.619 --> 00:27:10.220
 disciples.

00:27:11.579 --> 00:27:12.579
 I've got a

00:27:12.579 --> 00:27:13.079
 lunch appointment

00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:13.720
 with a brother

00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:15.500
 in just a couple

00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:15.799
 weeks.

00:27:15.859 --> 00:27:16.359
 He's part of

00:27:16.359 --> 00:27:16.980
 the Evangelical

00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:17.440
 Free Church

00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:17.880
 of America.

00:27:18.220 --> 00:27:19.420
 Our family

00:27:19.420 --> 00:27:19.900
 of churches.

00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:22.279
 And there's

00:27:22.279 --> 00:27:23.180
 a work underway

00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:24.019
 in Union Grove

00:27:24.019 --> 00:27:25.120
 to plant a church.

00:27:26.800 --> 00:27:28.000
 The gospel's

00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:28.900
 bearing fruit

00:27:28.900 --> 00:27:30.039
 and multiplying.

00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:32.580
 Jesus is on

00:27:32.580 --> 00:27:32.960
 the move.

00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:37.360
 Kenosha

00:27:37.360 --> 00:27:38.100
 Christian Academy

00:27:38.100 --> 00:27:40.660
 is a church

00:27:40.660 --> 00:27:42.220
 plant in its

00:27:42.220 --> 00:27:42.880
 second year.

00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:44.580
 And it's

00:27:44.580 --> 00:27:45.519
 seeking to make

00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.400
 and sustain

00:27:46.400 --> 00:27:47.320
 a gospel

00:27:47.320 --> 00:27:47.920
 witness

00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:49.500
 in our city.

00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.280
 Jesus is on

00:27:51.280 --> 00:27:51.720
 the move.

00:27:52.620 --> 00:27:53.100
 The gospel's

00:27:53.100 --> 00:27:53.640
 bearing fruit

00:27:53.640 --> 00:27:54.200
 and multiplying.

00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:57.280
 John and Terry

00:27:57.280 --> 00:27:57.660
 Tipman.

00:27:57.840 --> 00:27:58.600
 You saw John

00:27:58.600 --> 00:27:59.000
 up here

00:27:59.000 --> 00:27:59.660
 with me

00:27:59.660 --> 00:28:00.100
 just moments

00:28:00.100 --> 00:28:00.300
 ago.

00:28:00.380 --> 00:28:00.660
 He opened

00:28:00.660 --> 00:28:01.040
 a service.

00:28:01.140 --> 00:28:01.519
 He'll close

00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.000
 the service.

00:28:02.880 --> 00:28:04.040
 He and Terry

00:28:04.040 --> 00:28:04.820
 are part of a

00:28:04.820 --> 00:28:05.360
 ministry called

00:28:05.360 --> 00:28:06.040
 Family Life.

00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:06.780
 It's a ministry

00:28:06.780 --> 00:28:07.360
 of crew.

00:28:08.380 --> 00:28:08.960
 And they do

00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:09.820
 a lot of planning

00:28:09.820 --> 00:28:10.759
 for what's called

00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:11.300
 a weekend to

00:28:11.300 --> 00:28:11.660
 remember.

00:28:11.860 --> 00:28:12.580
 It's a marriage

00:28:12.580 --> 00:28:13.000
 conference.

00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:13.440
 It's held

00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.460
 throughout the

00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:14.819
 nation,

00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:15.799
 multiple places,

00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:17.380
 multiple times.

00:28:18.380 --> 00:28:19.039
 And we

00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:19.759
 constantly get

00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:20.259
 reports.

00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:21.819
 Constantly get

00:28:21.819 --> 00:28:22.240
 reports.

00:28:22.859 --> 00:28:23.859
 It's actually a

00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:24.599
 gospel ministry

00:28:24.599 --> 00:28:25.140
 in disguise.

00:28:26.440 --> 00:28:26.720
 Do you know

00:28:26.720 --> 00:28:27.279
 how many people

00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:28.059
 have been saved

00:28:28.059 --> 00:28:28.740
 and brought to

00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:29.359
 Jesus who got

00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:30.059
 flipped by the

00:28:30.059 --> 00:28:30.619
 grace of God

00:28:30.619 --> 00:28:31.900
 at these marriage

00:28:31.900 --> 00:28:32.359
 conferences?

00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:34.400
 Jesus is on

00:28:34.400 --> 00:28:34.799
 the move.

00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:36.960
 The gospel's

00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:37.519
 bearing fruit

00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:38.119
 and multiplying.

00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:40.980
 Paul Bandy,

00:28:41.599 --> 00:28:41.940
 Kenya,

00:28:41.940 --> 00:28:43.559
 mission partner.

00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:45.820
 He's pastoring

00:28:45.820 --> 00:28:46.440
 a church and

00:28:46.440 --> 00:28:47.160
 he's ministering

00:28:47.160 --> 00:28:48.019
 to pastors to

00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:49.120
 proclaim Christ

00:28:49.120 --> 00:28:50.019
 all throughout

00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:51.200
 Kenya and

00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:51.980
 Nairobi and

00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:52.600
 into the bush.

00:28:54.299 --> 00:28:55.440
 The gospel of

00:28:55.440 --> 00:28:56.860
 Jesus Christ is

00:28:56.860 --> 00:28:58.279
 bearing fruit

00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:59.380
 and multiplying

00:28:59.380 --> 00:29:00.120
 today.

00:29:01.779 --> 00:29:02.539
 Saji Lukos,

00:29:02.640 --> 00:29:03.259
 he preached here

00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:04.080
 just weeks ago

00:29:04.080 --> 00:29:05.340
 with reaching

00:29:05.340 --> 00:29:06.539
 Indians Ministries

00:29:06.539 --> 00:29:07.500
 International in

00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:08.320
 India, in

00:29:08.320 --> 00:29:08.799
 Nepal.

00:29:09.400 --> 00:29:10.420
 They are planting

00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:11.820
 churches and

00:29:11.819 --> 00:29:12.599
 an extraordinary

00:29:12.599 --> 00:29:13.399
 rate.

00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:15.939
 Bearing fruit,

00:29:16.659 --> 00:29:17.919
 multiplying in

00:29:17.919 --> 00:29:18.599
 all the world.

00:29:19.679 --> 00:29:20.299
 We have two

00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:20.899
 dear friends,

00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:21.519
 Jiwon and

00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:22.000
 Caitlin Rye.

00:29:22.079 --> 00:29:22.259
 They were

00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:22.980
 former members

00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:23.559
 here at Christ

00:29:23.559 --> 00:29:23.899
 the King.

00:29:24.200 --> 00:29:25.079
 He's located in

00:29:25.079 --> 00:29:25.779
 Nepal and he

00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:26.659
 has this ministry

00:29:26.659 --> 00:29:28.700
 to pastors in

00:29:28.700 --> 00:29:29.799
 the villages at

00:29:29.799 --> 00:29:30.639
 the base of

00:29:30.639 --> 00:29:31.439
 Mount Everest.

00:29:31.639 --> 00:29:32.539
 It's remarkable.

00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:34.179
 He's going to

00:29:34.179 --> 00:29:34.939
 Hong Kong in just

00:29:34.939 --> 00:29:35.579
 a couple weeks to

00:29:35.579 --> 00:29:35.879
 preach.

00:29:35.880 --> 00:29:39.040
 The gospel is

00:29:39.040 --> 00:29:40.040
 bearing fruit and

00:29:40.040 --> 00:29:40.940
 multiplying around

00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:41.400
 the world.

00:29:41.660 --> 00:29:43.140
 Today, Jesus is

00:29:43.140 --> 00:29:43.680
 on the move.

00:29:44.800 --> 00:29:45.640
 Our dear brother

00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:46.620
 Eric Tully, one

00:29:46.620 --> 00:29:48.400
 of the elders, is

00:29:48.400 --> 00:29:48.980
 going back to

00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:50.080
 Liberia this March

00:29:50.080 --> 00:29:52.300
 to equip Liberian

00:29:52.300 --> 00:29:53.500
 pastors at the

00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.420
 Evangelical Seminary

00:29:54.420 --> 00:29:55.260
 of West Africa.

00:29:57.260 --> 00:29:58.360
 Jesus is on the

00:29:58.360 --> 00:29:58.720
 move.

00:30:00.380 --> 00:30:01.120
 The gospel of

00:30:01.120 --> 00:30:01.980
 Jesus Christ is

00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:03.100
 bearing fruit and

00:30:03.100 --> 00:30:04.980
 multiplying around

00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:05.400
 the world.

00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:05.860
 And you know

00:30:05.860 --> 00:30:06.339
 what, gang?

00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:07.779
 This is just what

00:30:07.779 --> 00:30:08.640
 we know about.

00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:12.259
 What else is God

00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:12.579
 doing?

00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:17.240
 You're hearing

00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:17.680
 rumors.

00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:20.339
 Aslan's on the

00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:20.579
 move.

00:30:26.380 --> 00:30:27.400
 You can see why

00:30:27.400 --> 00:30:28.519
 this becomes a

00:30:28.519 --> 00:30:29.200
 reason in and of

00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:30.000
 itself for Paul to

00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:30.500
 give thanks.

00:30:31.579 --> 00:30:32.860
 Do you want your

00:30:32.860 --> 00:30:34.059
 prayer life juiced?

00:30:35.799 --> 00:30:36.420
 Start giving

00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:37.180
 thanks to God for

00:30:37.180 --> 00:30:37.940
 what he is doing

00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:38.579
 around the world.

00:30:39.860 --> 00:30:40.480
 Thank you, God,

00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:40.900
 for Saji.

00:30:41.000 --> 00:30:41.700
 Thank you so much

00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.140
 for Paul.

00:30:42.799 --> 00:30:43.299
 Thank you for the

00:30:43.299 --> 00:30:43.660
 Tipmans.

00:30:43.860 --> 00:30:44.259
 God, would you

00:30:44.259 --> 00:30:44.900
 prepare Eric?

00:30:45.339 --> 00:30:46.620
 God, let your

00:30:46.620 --> 00:30:48.400
 glory shine forth

00:30:48.400 --> 00:30:49.000
 in the face of

00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.299
 Jesus.

00:30:52.279 --> 00:30:53.480
 Doesn't that do

00:30:53.480 --> 00:30:54.019
 your heart good?

00:30:56.160 --> 00:30:56.740
 It would have

00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:57.440
 done the Colossians

00:30:57.440 --> 00:30:58.279
 heart really good

00:30:58.279 --> 00:30:59.720
 to hear what God

00:30:59.720 --> 00:31:00.839
 is doing globally.

00:31:00.839 --> 00:31:03.919
 The third reason

00:31:03.919 --> 00:31:07.720
 is God's

00:31:07.720 --> 00:31:09.319
 faithful servant.

00:31:09.899 --> 00:31:10.480
 The Apostle Paul

00:31:10.480 --> 00:31:11.099
 gives one more

00:31:11.099 --> 00:31:12.359
 reason in this

00:31:12.359 --> 00:31:13.419
 passage for

00:31:13.419 --> 00:31:14.819
 thanksgiving and it

00:31:14.819 --> 00:31:15.419
 has to do with a

00:31:15.419 --> 00:31:16.759
 guy named Epaphras.

00:31:17.019 --> 00:31:17.939
 Just as you learned

00:31:17.939 --> 00:31:18.779
 it, the gospel from

00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:19.839
 Epaphras, our beloved

00:31:19.839 --> 00:31:20.899
 fellow servant.

00:31:21.039 --> 00:31:21.559
 He's a faithful

00:31:21.559 --> 00:31:22.720
 minister of Christ on

00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:23.980
 your behalf and has

00:31:23.980 --> 00:31:25.000
 made known to us your

00:31:25.000 --> 00:31:25.959
 love in the spirit.

00:31:25.960 --> 00:31:29.319
 The gospel that came

00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:31.819
 to Colossi didn't

00:31:31.819 --> 00:31:32.420
 come through the

00:31:32.420 --> 00:31:33.259
 Apostle Paul.

00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:36.620
 It came with

00:31:36.620 --> 00:31:37.200
 Epaphras.

00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:40.819
 We don't know the

00:31:40.819 --> 00:31:41.160
 background.

00:31:41.579 --> 00:31:42.220
 We don't know how he

00:31:42.220 --> 00:31:42.900
 became a Christian.

00:31:43.079 --> 00:31:43.600
 We don't know how he

00:31:43.600 --> 00:31:44.299
 got linked up with the

00:31:44.299 --> 00:31:44.940
 Apostle Paul.

00:31:45.079 --> 00:31:46.220
 All we know is that at

00:31:46.220 --> 00:31:48.400
 some point Epaphras was

00:31:48.400 --> 00:31:50.240
 born again, God's grace

00:31:50.240 --> 00:31:51.620
 flipped him, and he

00:31:51.620 --> 00:31:52.620
 started proclaiming

00:31:52.620 --> 00:31:53.059
 Christ.

00:31:53.420 --> 00:31:54.059
 And he's like, I

00:31:54.059 --> 00:31:54.740
 got to go back to my

00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:55.460
 hometown and tell

00:31:55.460 --> 00:31:56.019
 everybody there.

00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:57.039
 So he goes back to

00:31:57.039 --> 00:31:57.579
 Colossi.

00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:58.660
 He starts proclaiming

00:31:58.660 --> 00:31:59.059
 Christ.

00:31:59.400 --> 00:32:00.340
 People start believing

00:32:00.340 --> 00:32:01.140
 in Christ.

00:32:01.240 --> 00:32:02.059
 They form a church.

00:32:07.799 --> 00:32:09.100
 There are a number of

00:32:09.100 --> 00:32:11.200
 descriptions of Epaphras

00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:12.559
 that Paul makes.

00:32:12.900 --> 00:32:13.799
 And there's no question

00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:16.160
 that Paul is commending

00:32:16.160 --> 00:32:18.240
 Epaphras to this church.

00:32:18.319 --> 00:32:19.019
 He's going to come back

00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:20.279
 in chapter 4, verse 12,

00:32:20.400 --> 00:32:21.480
 and commend him some

00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:21.759
 more.

00:32:22.319 --> 00:32:23.539
 But he's commending him

00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:24.319
 in a spirit of

00:32:24.319 --> 00:32:25.279
 thankfulness to God.

00:32:25.460 --> 00:32:28.519
 Paul's thankful for

00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:30.720
 Epaphras' ministry to

00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:31.920
 the Colossian church.

00:32:34.180 --> 00:32:35.440
 Of all the different

00:32:35.440 --> 00:32:36.980
 descriptions, I just

00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:38.539
 want to point out one.

00:32:41.019 --> 00:32:44.440
 It's the word faithful.

00:32:46.200 --> 00:32:47.519
 He's a faithful minister

00:32:47.519 --> 00:32:48.860
 of Christ on your behalf.

00:32:49.920 --> 00:32:50.480
 Faithful.

00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:53.079
 Faithfulness is

00:32:53.079 --> 00:32:53.799
 reliability.

00:32:55.360 --> 00:32:56.339
 Faithfulness is

00:32:56.339 --> 00:32:58.240
 trustworthiness of

00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:59.360
 dependability.

00:32:59.599 --> 00:33:00.920
 It is a confidence that

00:33:00.920 --> 00:33:01.740
 you have in someone

00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:02.860
 that they're going to get

00:33:02.860 --> 00:33:03.460
 it done.

00:33:05.640 --> 00:33:07.039
 And it's a faithfulness

00:33:07.039 --> 00:33:09.180
 as a minister of Christ.

00:33:10.599 --> 00:33:11.380
 They're going to be

00:33:11.380 --> 00:33:13.500
 faithful to serving

00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:15.839
 Jesus even if they're

00:33:15.839 --> 00:33:16.880
 having their fingernails

00:33:16.880 --> 00:33:17.480
 pulled out.

00:33:17.480 --> 00:33:19.980
 going to be faithful

00:33:19.980 --> 00:33:21.599
 to Jesus.

00:33:23.940 --> 00:33:24.740
 Faithfulness is a

00:33:24.740 --> 00:33:25.700
 highly valued

00:33:25.700 --> 00:33:27.900
 kingdom character

00:33:27.900 --> 00:33:28.519
 trait.

00:33:28.860 --> 00:33:29.500
 In fact, Jesus

00:33:29.500 --> 00:33:30.279
 spoke of it.

00:33:30.319 --> 00:33:30.599
 Do you remember

00:33:30.599 --> 00:33:31.900
 in Matthew 25

00:33:31.900 --> 00:33:33.539
 the parable

00:33:33.539 --> 00:33:34.839
 of the talents?

00:33:35.779 --> 00:33:36.460
 Jesus talks about

00:33:36.460 --> 00:33:37.160
 this story

00:33:37.160 --> 00:33:37.480
 of a

00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:38.480
 master

00:33:39.220 --> 00:33:39.660
 who's going

00:33:39.660 --> 00:33:40.240
 on a long journey.

00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:41.200
 He gives

00:33:41.200 --> 00:33:41.880
 different sums

00:33:41.880 --> 00:33:42.299
 of money

00:33:42.299 --> 00:33:43.180
 to three servants.

00:33:43.500 --> 00:33:44.180
 He comes back

00:33:44.180 --> 00:33:45.059
 after a long time.

00:33:45.160 --> 00:33:45.640
 He comes to

00:33:45.640 --> 00:33:46.200
 one of the servants

00:33:46.200 --> 00:33:46.820
 the first one.

00:33:47.180 --> 00:33:48.080
 He gave five talents

00:33:48.080 --> 00:33:48.800
 which was a load

00:33:48.800 --> 00:33:49.180
 of money.

00:33:49.580 --> 00:33:50.400
 And that servant

00:33:50.400 --> 00:33:50.840
 said, yeah,

00:33:50.880 --> 00:33:52.120
 I doubled it for you.

00:33:52.680 --> 00:33:53.940
 And the master

00:33:53.940 --> 00:33:54.580
 says to him,

00:33:54.660 --> 00:33:55.140
 well done,

00:33:55.220 --> 00:33:55.820
 good and

00:33:55.820 --> 00:33:58.100
 faithful servant.

00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:59.140
 You were faithful

00:33:59.140 --> 00:33:59.740
 in a little.

00:33:59.840 --> 00:34:00.200
 Now I'm going to

00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:00.960
 give you much.

00:34:01.080 --> 00:34:01.640
 Enter the joy

00:34:01.640 --> 00:34:02.259
 of your master.

00:34:04.240 --> 00:34:04.940
 Second servant,

00:34:05.040 --> 00:34:05.640
 he just gave

00:34:05.640 --> 00:34:06.440
 two talents.

00:34:07.020 --> 00:34:08.240
 He doubled it.

00:34:09.140 --> 00:34:09.820
 The master

00:34:09.820 --> 00:34:10.660
 says to him,

00:34:11.039 --> 00:34:11.440
 well done,

00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:11.840
 good and

00:34:11.840 --> 00:34:13.740
 faithful servant.

00:34:13.739 --> 00:34:14.819
 You've been faithful

00:34:14.819 --> 00:34:15.739
 with a little.

00:34:16.399 --> 00:34:16.699
 I'm going to

00:34:16.699 --> 00:34:17.119
 entrust you

00:34:17.119 --> 00:34:17.559
 with much.

00:34:18.199 --> 00:34:18.519
 Welcome.

00:34:18.879 --> 00:34:19.319
 Come on into

00:34:19.319 --> 00:34:19.619
 the joy

00:34:19.619 --> 00:34:20.119
 of your master.

00:34:20.219 --> 00:34:20.959
 That third servant,

00:34:21.059 --> 00:34:21.919
 he squandered it,

00:34:23.199 --> 00:34:24.319
 sat on it,

00:34:24.939 --> 00:34:26.500
 was sheepish

00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:27.139
 and shameful

00:34:27.139 --> 00:34:28.519
 and when the master

00:34:28.519 --> 00:34:29.539
 holds him to account,

00:34:29.919 --> 00:34:30.799
 he reprimands him

00:34:30.799 --> 00:34:31.679
 and casts him out.

00:34:33.899 --> 00:34:34.399
 Faithfulness

00:34:34.399 --> 00:34:36.979
 is a kingdom value.

00:34:38.439 --> 00:34:38.839
 Faithfulness

00:34:38.839 --> 00:34:39.439
 to Jesus.

00:34:40.919 --> 00:34:41.579
 We see it

00:34:41.579 --> 00:34:42.379
 in Colossians

00:34:42.380 --> 00:34:45.500
 chapter 1

00:34:45.500 --> 00:34:46.200
 verse 27.

00:34:46.519 --> 00:34:46.780
 To them

00:34:46.780 --> 00:34:47.260
 God chose

00:34:47.260 --> 00:34:47.800
 to make known

00:34:47.800 --> 00:34:48.260
 how great

00:34:48.260 --> 00:34:49.079
 among the Gentiles

00:34:49.079 --> 00:34:49.559
 are the riches

00:34:49.559 --> 00:34:50.119
 of the glory

00:34:50.119 --> 00:34:51.079
 of this mystery

00:34:51.079 --> 00:34:51.880
 which is Christ

00:34:51.880 --> 00:34:52.559
 in you,

00:34:52.660 --> 00:34:53.320
 the hope of glory.

00:34:53.800 --> 00:34:54.360
 It's faithfulness

00:34:54.360 --> 00:34:54.860
 to him.

00:34:55.280 --> 00:34:55.820
 He says

00:34:55.820 --> 00:34:56.519
 in 28,

00:34:56.720 --> 00:34:57.000
 him,

00:34:57.119 --> 00:34:57.980
 Jesus we proclaim

00:34:57.980 --> 00:34:58.860
 warning everyone

00:34:58.860 --> 00:34:59.780
 and teaching everyone

00:34:59.780 --> 00:35:00.460
 with all wisdom

00:35:00.460 --> 00:35:01.619
 that we may present

00:35:01.619 --> 00:35:02.559
 everyone mature

00:35:02.559 --> 00:35:03.840
 in Christ.

00:35:04.260 --> 00:35:05.480
 For this I toil

00:35:05.480 --> 00:35:06.380
 faithfully

00:35:06.380 --> 00:35:07.579
 struggling with all

00:35:07.579 --> 00:35:08.099
 his energy

00:35:08.099 --> 00:35:08.840
 that he powerfully

00:35:08.840 --> 00:35:09.720
 works within me.

00:35:10.460 --> 00:35:10.940
 Faithfulness

00:35:10.940 --> 00:35:12.360
 to Christ.

00:35:12.380 --> 00:35:14.740
 Paul

00:35:14.740 --> 00:35:16.660
 is thanking God

00:35:16.660 --> 00:35:18.460
 for this brother's

00:35:18.460 --> 00:35:19.340
 faithfulness

00:35:19.340 --> 00:35:22.640
 not just to Jesus

00:35:22.640 --> 00:35:23.900
 but to the church.

00:35:27.900 --> 00:35:28.680
 This morning

00:35:28.680 --> 00:35:29.720
 I sent a text out

00:35:29.720 --> 00:35:30.280
 to Zach

00:35:30.280 --> 00:35:31.519
 and Josiah

00:35:31.519 --> 00:35:34.840
 from 2 Corinthians

00:35:34.840 --> 00:35:36.059
 chapter 4

00:35:36.059 --> 00:35:38.420
 verses 5, 6, and 7

00:35:38.420 --> 00:35:40.420
 gets at this

00:35:40.420 --> 00:35:41.180
 faithfulness.

00:35:42.380 --> 00:35:43.639
 For what we proclaim

00:35:43.639 --> 00:35:44.740
 is not ourselves

00:35:44.740 --> 00:35:47.539
 but Jesus Christ

00:35:47.539 --> 00:35:48.220
 as Lord

00:35:48.220 --> 00:35:49.200
 with ourselves

00:35:49.200 --> 00:35:50.260
 as your servants

00:35:50.260 --> 00:35:51.220
 for Jesus' sake.

00:35:51.300 --> 00:35:51.780
 For God

00:35:51.780 --> 00:35:52.519
 who said

00:35:52.519 --> 00:35:53.440
 let light shine

00:35:53.440 --> 00:35:54.300
 out of darkness

00:35:54.300 --> 00:35:56.280
 has shown in our hearts

00:35:56.280 --> 00:35:56.920
 to give the light

00:35:56.920 --> 00:35:57.420
 of the knowledge

00:35:57.420 --> 00:35:58.360
 of the glory of God

00:35:58.360 --> 00:35:58.800
 in the face

00:35:58.800 --> 00:35:59.579
 of Jesus Christ.

00:35:59.579 --> 00:36:01.619
 A new gospel creation.

00:36:02.579 --> 00:36:03.960
 But we have this treasure

00:36:03.960 --> 00:36:04.800
 in jars of clay

00:36:04.800 --> 00:36:05.680
 to show that the

00:36:05.680 --> 00:36:06.500
 surpassing power

00:36:06.500 --> 00:36:07.340
 belongs to God

00:36:07.340 --> 00:36:08.039
 and not to us.

00:36:09.579 --> 00:36:10.019
 Faithfulness.

00:36:11.940 --> 00:36:12.860
 Do you know why

00:36:12.860 --> 00:36:13.660
 kingdom faithfulness

00:36:13.660 --> 00:36:14.340
 is highly valued?

00:36:15.680 --> 00:36:16.559
 Because God

00:36:16.559 --> 00:36:17.140
 is faithful.

00:36:18.820 --> 00:36:19.920
 Fully dependable.

00:36:21.280 --> 00:36:22.019
 Always true

00:36:22.019 --> 00:36:22.840
 to his promises.

00:36:24.180 --> 00:36:24.740
 Always true

00:36:24.740 --> 00:36:25.620
 to his character.

00:36:25.619 --> 00:36:29.000
 Have you guys heard

00:36:29.000 --> 00:36:30.019
 of Crossway Community Church?

00:36:31.059 --> 00:36:32.359
 It's about 8 miles

00:36:32.359 --> 00:36:32.980
 due west.

00:36:34.900 --> 00:36:35.679
 Crossway planted

00:36:35.679 --> 00:36:36.380
 our church

00:36:36.380 --> 00:36:37.380
 about 10 years ago

00:36:37.380 --> 00:36:40.400
 and the senior pastor

00:36:40.400 --> 00:36:40.980
 there is a man

00:36:40.980 --> 00:36:41.699
 named Mike Bullmore.

00:36:43.440 --> 00:36:44.500
 I served with Mike

00:36:44.500 --> 00:36:45.179
 for 10 years

00:36:45.179 --> 00:36:46.259
 as an associate pastor

00:36:46.259 --> 00:36:46.920
 of youth ministry

00:36:46.920 --> 00:36:47.319
 over there

00:36:47.319 --> 00:36:47.960
 for a long time.

00:36:49.219 --> 00:36:50.599
 Today is Mike's

00:36:50.599 --> 00:36:51.420
 last day

00:36:51.420 --> 00:36:52.199
 serving as the

00:36:52.199 --> 00:36:52.859
 senior pastor

00:36:52.859 --> 00:36:54.059
 of Crossway Community Church.

00:36:54.059 --> 00:36:56.880
 A couple weeks ago

00:36:56.880 --> 00:36:57.679
 there was a gathering

00:36:57.679 --> 00:36:58.440
 at Crossway

00:36:58.440 --> 00:36:59.299
 where we were

00:36:59.299 --> 00:37:00.860
 expressing our thanks

00:37:00.860 --> 00:37:01.699
 to God

00:37:01.699 --> 00:37:03.759
 for this man's

00:37:03.759 --> 00:37:04.400
 faithfulness.

00:37:06.239 --> 00:37:07.460
 He's not perfect.

00:37:07.599 --> 00:37:08.119
 He'd be the first

00:37:08.119 --> 00:37:08.579
 to admit

00:37:08.579 --> 00:37:10.639
 but faithful.

00:37:12.960 --> 00:37:13.639
 Faithfully

00:37:13.639 --> 00:37:14.739
 proclaiming Christ.

00:37:16.960 --> 00:37:17.659
 Faithfully

00:37:17.659 --> 00:37:18.119
 walking

00:37:18.119 --> 00:37:19.000
 personally

00:37:19.000 --> 00:37:19.639
 with Christ.

00:37:22.239 --> 00:37:23.119
 It's good

00:37:23.119 --> 00:37:23.779
 to be thankful

00:37:23.779 --> 00:37:24.339
 to God

00:37:24.339 --> 00:37:26.599
 for faithful

00:37:26.599 --> 00:37:28.000
 brothers and sisters.

00:37:29.920 --> 00:37:30.779
 Here's how this

00:37:30.779 --> 00:37:31.599
 applies to us.

00:37:34.239 --> 00:37:35.339
 We value

00:37:35.339 --> 00:37:37.619
 faithfulness

00:37:37.619 --> 00:37:39.460
 to Christ

00:37:39.460 --> 00:37:42.000
 in those who minister.

00:37:43.599 --> 00:37:45.059
 We value

00:37:45.059 --> 00:37:46.079
 faithfulness to God.

00:37:46.299 --> 00:37:46.599
 Faithfulness

00:37:46.599 --> 00:37:47.359
 to his word.

00:37:47.900 --> 00:37:48.279
 Faithfulness

00:37:48.279 --> 00:37:49.679
 to our

00:37:49.679 --> 00:37:50.279
 master

00:37:50.279 --> 00:37:51.119
 in King

00:37:51.119 --> 00:37:52.039
 Jesus.

00:37:53.839 --> 00:37:54.279
 So

00:37:54.279 --> 00:37:55.239
 this spring

00:37:55.239 --> 00:37:55.859
 we're going to have

00:37:55.859 --> 00:37:56.819
 a nomination process

00:37:56.819 --> 00:37:58.159
 for elders

00:37:58.159 --> 00:37:58.739
 and deacons.

00:37:58.859 --> 00:37:59.159
 Do you know

00:37:59.159 --> 00:37:59.619
 what we should be

00:37:59.619 --> 00:38:00.099
 looking for?

00:38:01.940 --> 00:38:02.420
 Faithfulness.

00:38:04.420 --> 00:38:05.359
 If we get down

00:38:05.359 --> 00:38:05.659
 the line

00:38:05.659 --> 00:38:06.460
 and we need to

00:38:06.460 --> 00:38:06.960
 hire more

00:38:06.960 --> 00:38:07.699
 staff people

00:38:07.699 --> 00:38:08.219
 do you know

00:38:08.219 --> 00:38:08.599
 what we're looking

00:38:08.599 --> 00:38:08.920
 for?

00:38:10.779 --> 00:38:11.219
 Faithfulness.

00:38:11.219 --> 00:38:11.420
 Faithfulness.

00:38:11.420 --> 00:38:17.180
 reliable.

00:38:17.880 --> 00:38:18.400
 Trustworthy.

00:38:18.960 --> 00:38:19.539
 Dependable.

00:38:21.200 --> 00:38:21.760
 Confidence

00:38:21.760 --> 00:38:23.079
 in representing

00:38:23.079 --> 00:38:23.539
 Jesus

00:38:23.539 --> 00:38:24.800
 in all things.

00:38:25.400 --> 00:38:26.200
 When you see

00:38:26.200 --> 00:38:26.760
 God's grace

00:38:26.760 --> 00:38:27.700
 at work like that

00:38:27.700 --> 00:38:29.220
 you're thankful

00:38:29.220 --> 00:38:30.019
 to God for it.

00:38:31.380 --> 00:38:31.659
 Okay.

00:38:31.840 --> 00:38:32.380
 Three reasons

00:38:32.380 --> 00:38:32.880
 for Paul's

00:38:32.880 --> 00:38:33.639
 thankfulness to God.

00:38:34.039 --> 00:38:34.579
 God's proofs

00:38:34.579 --> 00:38:35.079
 of purchase.

00:38:35.300 --> 00:38:36.119
 God's global work.

00:38:36.340 --> 00:38:37.639
 God's faithful servant.

00:38:38.340 --> 00:38:38.800
 And do you know

00:38:38.800 --> 00:38:39.360
 what they all have

00:38:39.360 --> 00:38:39.760
 in common?

00:38:39.760 --> 00:38:42.960
 A Christ

00:38:42.960 --> 00:38:44.180
 centrality.

00:38:45.500 --> 00:38:46.860
 Think of the proofs.

00:38:46.980 --> 00:38:47.660
 Faith in Christ.

00:38:47.980 --> 00:38:48.740
 Christ like love.

00:38:49.000 --> 00:38:49.620
 Hope in Christ.

00:38:49.960 --> 00:38:50.980
 Think of the global work.

00:38:51.640 --> 00:38:52.900
 Spreading the truth

00:38:52.900 --> 00:38:53.960
 of the gospel

00:38:53.960 --> 00:38:55.120
 of Jesus Christ.

00:38:55.840 --> 00:38:56.720
 Think of the faithful

00:38:56.720 --> 00:38:58.080
 servant Epaphras.

00:38:58.720 --> 00:38:59.500
 He was a faithful

00:38:59.500 --> 00:39:00.000
 minister

00:39:00.000 --> 00:39:01.680
 of Christ.

00:39:02.460 --> 00:39:03.220
 At the heart

00:39:03.220 --> 00:39:03.860
 of Paul's

00:39:03.860 --> 00:39:04.540
 thankfulness

00:39:04.540 --> 00:39:06.440
 is Christ.

00:39:06.440 --> 00:39:06.579
 Christ.

00:39:09.019 --> 00:39:10.220
 So when Christ

00:39:10.220 --> 00:39:11.220
 is central

00:39:11.220 --> 00:39:12.179
 to who you are

00:39:12.179 --> 00:39:13.820
 not only

00:39:13.820 --> 00:39:14.340
 will you grow

00:39:14.340 --> 00:39:14.820
 in your faith

00:39:14.820 --> 00:39:16.599
 not only

00:39:16.599 --> 00:39:17.200
 will you grow

00:39:17.200 --> 00:39:17.700
 in your love

00:39:17.700 --> 00:39:18.420
 for all the saints

00:39:18.420 --> 00:39:19.700
 not only

00:39:19.700 --> 00:39:20.420
 will you grow

00:39:20.420 --> 00:39:21.639
 in your knowledge

00:39:21.639 --> 00:39:22.340
 and delight

00:39:22.340 --> 00:39:23.079
 in the risen

00:39:23.079 --> 00:39:23.659
 and reigning

00:39:23.659 --> 00:39:24.599
 Jesus our hope

00:39:24.599 --> 00:39:25.920
 not only

00:39:25.920 --> 00:39:26.619
 will you grow

00:39:26.619 --> 00:39:27.500
 in participating

00:39:27.500 --> 00:39:29.420
 in God's global work

00:39:29.420 --> 00:39:30.559
 not only

00:39:30.559 --> 00:39:31.300
 will you grow

00:39:31.300 --> 00:39:32.119
 in your own

00:39:32.119 --> 00:39:32.980
 faithfulness

00:39:32.980 --> 00:39:33.800
 to serving

00:39:33.800 --> 00:39:34.900
 Jesus yourself

00:39:34.900 --> 00:39:36.280
 you're also

00:39:36.280 --> 00:39:37.220
 going to grow

00:39:37.220 --> 00:39:38.700
 in thanking

00:39:38.700 --> 00:39:39.539
 God

00:39:39.539 --> 00:39:40.300
 for what

00:39:40.300 --> 00:39:41.079
 he's doing

00:39:41.079 --> 00:39:42.780
 in our midst

00:39:42.780 --> 00:39:45.880
 because of Christ.

00:39:48.460 --> 00:39:49.820
 Brothers and sisters

00:39:49.820 --> 00:39:52.280
 do you want to grow

00:39:52.280 --> 00:39:53.039
 in thankfulness?

00:39:55.420 --> 00:39:57.000
 Grow in Christ

00:39:57.000 --> 00:39:57.980
 centeredness

00:39:57.980 --> 00:40:00.539
 and be thankful

00:40:00.539 --> 00:40:00.960
 to God.

00:40:01.639 --> 00:40:02.360
 Let's pray together.

00:40:03.480 --> 00:40:04.619
 God in heaven

00:40:04.619 --> 00:40:06.299
 you are all glorious

00:40:06.299 --> 00:40:08.380
 we are so grateful

00:40:08.380 --> 00:40:09.559
 for what you are doing

00:40:09.559 --> 00:40:12.779
 God we would ask

00:40:12.779 --> 00:40:13.420
 that you would

00:40:13.420 --> 00:40:14.359
 pour out your spirit

00:40:14.359 --> 00:40:15.059
 more and more

00:40:15.059 --> 00:40:15.579
 upon us

00:40:15.579 --> 00:40:16.179
 your church

00:40:16.179 --> 00:40:17.759
 that Christ

00:40:17.759 --> 00:40:18.519
 would be exalted

00:40:18.519 --> 00:40:19.259
 more and more

00:40:19.259 --> 00:40:20.239
 that Christ

00:40:20.239 --> 00:40:21.299
 would be spotlighted

00:40:21.299 --> 00:40:22.079
 and magnified

00:40:22.079 --> 00:40:23.639
 that more and more

00:40:23.639 --> 00:40:24.519
 people will see

00:40:24.519 --> 00:40:26.159
 Jesus lifted

00:40:26.159 --> 00:40:27.139
 and say

00:40:27.139 --> 00:40:29.119
 he is my everything

00:40:29.119 --> 00:40:31.859
 God would you

00:40:31.859 --> 00:40:32.920
 do a work

00:40:32.920 --> 00:40:33.880
 in the city

00:40:33.880 --> 00:40:34.039
 in the city of

00:40:34.039 --> 00:40:34.579
 Kenosha

00:40:34.579 --> 00:40:36.159
 causing the gospel

00:40:36.159 --> 00:40:36.900
 of Jesus Christ

00:40:36.900 --> 00:40:37.559
 to be fruitful

00:40:37.559 --> 00:40:38.619
 and multiply

00:40:38.619 --> 00:40:40.099
 would you do a work

00:40:40.099 --> 00:40:41.539
 in our state

00:40:41.539 --> 00:40:42.840
 and in our country

00:40:42.840 --> 00:40:44.039
 and around the world

00:40:44.039 --> 00:40:45.039
 in which

00:40:45.039 --> 00:40:46.300
 the gospel

00:40:46.300 --> 00:40:47.599
 of Jesus Christ

00:40:47.599 --> 00:40:49.019
 bears more

00:40:49.019 --> 00:40:49.840
 and more fruit

00:40:49.840 --> 00:40:51.539
 and there is

00:40:51.539 --> 00:40:52.360
 the multiplying

00:40:52.360 --> 00:40:53.139
 of witnesses

00:40:53.139 --> 00:40:54.340
 globally

00:40:54.340 --> 00:40:55.740
 of your glory

00:40:55.740 --> 00:40:57.460
 all

00:40:57.460 --> 00:40:58.519
 for the sake

00:40:58.519 --> 00:40:59.460
 of Jesus name

00:40:59.460 --> 00:41:01.139
 amen

00:41:01.139 --> 00:41:02.299
 and

00:41:03.799 --> 00:41:04.480
 Center

00:41:04.480 --> 00:41:08.039
 the

00:41:08.339 --> 00:41:08.879
 and

00:41:08.879 --> 00:41:09.679
 here

00:41:09.679 --> 00:41:10.239
 all

00:41:10.239 --> 00:41:10.480
 we

00:41:10.480 --> 00:41:11.179
 come here

00:41:11.179 --> 00:41:11.339
 now

00:41:11.339 --> 00:41:11.699
 and

00:41:11.699 --> 00:41:11.960
 that

00:41:11.960 --> 00:41:12.960
 our

00:41:12.960 --> 00:41:20.639
 Well

00:41:20.639 --> 00:41:22.699
 and

00:41:22.699 --> 00:41:23.719
 I

00:41:23.719 --> 00:41:23.920
 have

00:41:23.920 --> 00:41:25.179
 I

00:41:25.179 --> 00:41:25.440
 married

00:41:25.440 --> 00:41:27.460
 and

00:41:27.460 --> 00:41:27.599
 have

00:41:27.599 --> 00:41:27.819
 and

00:41:27.819 --> 00:41:28.379
 them