January 16, 2008

  • COLOSSIANS SERIES [#11]



    You can listen to the audio of this lesson here... http://audio.xanga.com/Eek_71/5e2fd1783796/audio.html

    Six Affirmations of a Great Church
    [ The Surpassing Supremacy of Jesus Christ #11 ]
    Colossians 3:12-17

    INTRO
      • I have mentioned all along that I was "borrowing heavily" from John MacArthur, James MacDonald, and R. Kent Hughes, however, this lesson is a complete ripoff of a sermon given by James MacDonald!  I still did my own study of course but James' insights and outline was so good I simply used it "as is".
      • Jesus loves the church (Eph 5:25b)... so should we.  Let us affirm & live out the         characteristics and attitudes of an authentic & healthy church family

    1.  Because of who we are in Christ... CHOSEN, CHANGING, CHERISHED...
      • 3:12a  "Therefore, God's chosen ones, holy and loved,..."
      • the church faces big challenges... but the church can fulfill its mission because of who we are in Christ.
      • therefore...

    2.  We will ACCEPT  you as you change...
      • 3:12b  "...put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience"
      • a great church is one who accepts you where you ARE, while challenging you to be DIFFERENT

    3.  We will FORGIVE you when you fall...
      • 3:13  "accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must forgive."
      • There are no enduring relationships without forgiveness!
      • consider the cross, then consider "is there any way I cannot forgive others?"

    4.  We will LOVE you no matter what...
      • 3:14  "Above all, put on love-the perfect bond of unity"
      • love is the centerpiece of the life that has been truly transformed by Jesus Christ  (1 Jn 2:9-11; 1 Cor 13; Gal 5:22)

     5.  We will SUBMIT to the peace of God THANKFULLY...
      • 3:15  "And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful"
      • no matter what else may trouble your heart, let only the peace of Christ RULE your heart with a confidence that what God is doing is best

    6.  We will SPEAK the Word of Christ RICHLY...
      • 3:16  "Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God"
      • the worship and praise of God should emanate from Gods people fueled by a passion for Gods Word

    7.  and We will LIVE for Jesus EXCLUSIVELY!
      • 3:17  "And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him"
      • in everything you DO, and everything you SAY, act consistently with who Jesus is

     CONCLUSION:
      • people are hearing about our church... when people look at our church we want them to see an authentic biblical community.
      • Because of who we are in Christ... CHOSEN, CHANGING, & CHERISHED... We will ACCEPT you as you change, FORGIVE you when you fall, and LOVE you no matter what.  We will SUBMIT to the peace of God THANKFULLY, SPEAK the Word of Christ RICHLY, and we will LIVE for Jesus EXCLUSIVELY!
      • make these 7 points your prayer list this week...