Colossians 4:2-18 - Greater Impact (Part 9)

Colossians 4:2-18
Greater Impact
Greater

1. Behind the Scenes - Pray Consistently (4:2-4)
A. How to Pray
- Steadfast
- Alert
- Thankful
B. What to Pray For
- Open doors
- Clear speech
2. In the trenches - Live Wisely (4:5-6)
A. Plan
- Contact with unbelievers
- Take advantage of every opportunity
B. Speak
- Let grace flow
- Show that the gospel is satisfying with your words.
- Answer individuals

Audio:

Colossians 3:19-4:1 - Greater Household (Part 8)

Greater, Part 8
Greater Household
Colossians 3:19-4:1

I. Christ has a design for you as a new creature (vs. 3:1-4)

• Your "blueprint" design (Psalm 139:13; Jeremiah 1:5; Galatians 1:15)
• Your "born again" design (John 3)

• Our "journey" design (Colossians 1:28)\
• Our "destination" design (Revelation 7:9)

II. Christ is developing a new household (vs. 3:18-4:1)

• Know your foundation options (Matthew 7:24-27)
• Lives' venues are opportunities for us to develop toward our design (Romans 8:28)
• Pre-venue counseling
• The value of being a believer who is single (1Corinthians 15:54-58)
• The value of being married (Joshua 10:25)
• The value of being married without children or with children (1Peter 1:3-6)
• Mid-venue counseling
• Single believer Mid-Course Renewal Alerts
• Wife and husband Mid-Course Renewal Alerts
• Parents and children Mid-Course Renewal Alerts

• Spiritual Renewal Course (Colossians 3:12-17)
• Single and never alone
• Married with purpose
• Family road trip
• THE WHY! (3:18, 19) "as is fitting in the Lord;" "for this is well pleasing to the Lord"
• Life as a slave is a present brutal reality! (Colossians 3:22-25)
• How does a born again believer in Jesus Christ live as a slave?
• Know who you are in Christ!
• Your sincere heart and service and obedience depends on who the Lord is
• Your work will be as for the Lord
• THE WHY! It's not about your reward on earth (3:24) "Know that you will receive the reward of your inheritance"
• How does a born again believer in Jesus Christ live as a slave owner?
• Grant justice and fairness
• THE WHY! It's not about your status (4:1) "Know that you have a master in heaven"

III. Christ is preparing a place for us! (John 14:1-3)

• Our transforming completeness in Christ is our preparation for that heavenly household
• We put on the attitude and distinctions of Christ (Colossians 3:12-17)
• We are participating in a greater renewal (Colossians 3:11) "Christ is all and in all."
• Earthly distinctions will no longer be emphasized (Galatians 3:28) "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself in Christ."
• Try to see our greater household as John the Beloved sees it when he is taken into glory (Revelation 7:9-17)
• THE BIG WHY! (Revelation 7:17)

Audio:

Colossians 3:12-17 - Greater Pursuits (Part 7)

Greater, Part 7
Colossians 3:12-17
Greater Pursuits

1. How are these commands different than legalism?
- Heart level focus
- Gospel-rooted

2. When we understand our new identity, what things will we pursue?
- Pursue Christlike Character (3:12-14)
a. Live like Jesus
b. Reactive AND proactive
- Pursue Christ-Centered Community (3:15-17)
a. Peace
b. The Gospel
c. Jesus' Glory

Audio:

Colossians 3:1-11 - Greater Identity (Part 6)

Colossians 3: 1-11 Greater Identity

 A: Seek Heavenly (1-4)

1. What does it mean to seek things that are above

• Conscious choice to direct the heart toward God. Phil 4:8
• You have been raised with Christ
• Create discipline to follow make Christ our ultimate treasure, Matthew 6:21: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

2. Why does it matter

• Because Christ is seated at the right hand of God, this reminds us of Christ’s exalted position with God the Father.
• His promises remind us that He will not leave you as orphans, because I live, you will live also.
• For you have died and therefore we do not have any obligation to live like how we used to live. Romans 6: 3-13, Galatian 2:20
• Our life is hidden with Christ: This gives security that our life is hidden with the One who is seated at the right hand of God.

B: Die to Earthly things (5-9)

1. We must put to death the sensual sins:

• Sexual immorality
• Impurity
• Passion
• Evil Desire
• Covetousness, which is idolatry
• Jesus reminded us to pluck out our eye if it causes us to sin (Mt 5:29-note). He didn't mean to cause harm to our bodies, but rather we are to take strong action when we are tempted to sin.

2. We must put to death the social sins:

• Anger
• Wrath
• Malice
• Slander
• Obscene talk
• Do not lie
• Because believers have a new identity in Christ, you are continually being renewed in Him. Believers are completely united and identified with Jesus and we have died and have been raised with Christ.

C: Display Liberty (10-11)

• We display Christ by our words and actions
• In Christ, we are declared "new"
• We are all united and equal in Him
• Christ is all in all! Referring to our liberty and worth in Christ. 

Audio:

Colossians 2:16-23 - Greater than Legalism (Part 5)

Greater than Legalism
Colossians 2:16-23

1. What is legalism? (put each of the below definitions on their own slide)
- Legalism teaches that one must perform certain ethical/moral actions - even biblical commands - in order to earn salvation.
- Legalism teaches that extra-biblical ethics are required to really be a spiritual Christian.

2. Legalism is empty and can't save you.
- Legalism tells true Christians they’re not saved.
- Legalism misses the point.
- Legalism OR Jesus?

3. Legalism is ineffective and can't grow you.
- You died to the world.
- Legalism has an appearance of radical righteousness.
- Legalism doesn't work in fighting the flesh.


Audio:

Collossians 2:1-15 - Greater than Worldly Wisdom (Part 4)

Greater, Part 4
Greater than Worldly Wisdom
Col. 2:1-15


1. The goal of growth - 2:1-5
- Love AND knowledge
2. The path of growth - 2:6-7
- Christianity is a complete lifestyle of discipleship.
- The same way we started is the way that we grow.
- Abounding in thanksgiving
3. The hindrance towards growth - 2:8-10
4. The power for growth - 2:11-15
- Jesus circumcises our old selves.
- Jesus buries us and raises us as new creatures.
- Jesus forgives all our sins.
- Jesus absorbs all our debt.
- Jesus conquers all our enemies.

Audio:

Colossians 1:24-29 - Christ In You (Part 3)

Greater, Part 3
Christ In You
Colossians 1:24-29

I. "Christ in You" Resets Your Purpose! (vs. 24-27a)
- The Gospel of Paul (Col. 1:1- 23)
- Paul's Gospel Ministry
- Paul's Gospel Defense
a) Gnostic Creation
b) Gnostic Jesus
c) Gnostic Holiness
- Paul's Gospel Ministry
- Your Gospel Ministry

II. "Christ in You" Overcomes our Differences! (vs. 1:27b)
-  God's Mystery is Christ Himself (Col. 2:3)
- "You are all brothers (and sisters)" (Matt. 23:8)
- "Make disciples of all the nations
   (ethnos)" (Matt. 28:19)
-  Discern Differences, But Don't Idolize
   Differences

III. "Christ in You" Reconciles You To Holiness! (vs. 28)
- Reconciled to Holiness (Col. 1:21-23)
- Commanded to be Holy (Col. 1:23; 3:12)
- Required to be Holy (Heb. 12:14)
- Truth of Holiness (1 John 4:4)


IIII. "Christ in You" Establishes Your Vocation in Christ!   (Col. 1:29)
-  Paul's Unremitting Purpose was his Vocation
-  Your Context of Reality Prioritizes your Labor
   (Luke 12:32-34)
- "Christ in You" Makes All the Difference

Audio:

Colossians 1:15-23 - The Greater God (Part 2)

The Greater God
Colossians 1:15-23

1. Christ rules over Creation as Creator
-  He is the creator in the beginning.
- He is the sustainer in the present.
- He is the purpose in the end.

2. Christ rules over the Church as Head and Redeemer.
- He gives leadership.
- He gives life.
- Christ and you.

Audio:

Colossians 1:1-14 - Power of the Gospel (Part 1)

Power of the Gospel  Colossians 1:1-14

1. Power of Faith and Love:
• Faith: Paul had heard about their saving faith as well as how they were living out faith
• Faith: We are to believe and obey our Lord Jesus Christ
• “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” Hebrews 11:1
• “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” Hebrews 11:6.
• Love: Faith of this church was evident through their love for the saints
• Cause behind faith and Love is hope
• Because of the hope laid up for you in heaven
• Love and faith are evidence of hope and the power of the Gospel.

2. Power of the Gospel
• verb euangelizo, meaning “to bring or announce good news.” Both words are derived from the noun angelos, “messenger.” Taken from Bible.org
• It is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, Romans 1:16
• Good News of Grace Acts 20:24
• The Gospel was not only bearing fruit in their lives, but throughout the whole world (v6)

3. Power of Truth
• Understanding that we are delivered from the domain of darkness
• From Darkness we have been transferred to the kingdom of Jesus Christ
• We are forgiven of Sins


Audio: