Sermon Central
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Devotional Thoughts Through Colossians
Contributed by Ken Henson on Sep 20, 2017 (message contributor)
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1. The Internal, External And Eternal Goal
Contributed on Sep 22, 2017
You might say we get God’s heart in our hearts. What greater encouragement could there be? And we can expect the infusion of God’s Spirit in our hearts will result in a change in how we behave toward each other. For the fruit of the Spirit is love.
Colossians 2 1I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may ...read more
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2. By The Will Of God
Contributed on Sep 20, 2017
Paul was raised a Jew. He focused on keeping the Law. Persecuting people in Judaism who were part of any unaccepted sect was his chief pastime. He was a zealot. He had status, respect, academic prowess, wealth-God had better plans for him.
aul was raised a Jew. He focused on keeping the Law. Persecuting people in Judaism who were part of any unaccepted sect was his chief pastime. He was a zealot. He had status, respect, academic prowess, wealth-God had different plans for him than he had for himself. What are your plans for ...read more
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3. Holy People
Contributed on Sep 20, 2017
Holiness is not a popular subject these days. Maybe because there are so few people who count holiness as a goal, or even as a value. But the Bible says a lot about holiness.
Colossians 1:2 To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. We’ve talked about grace & peace in previous devotions (Ephesians 1 & Philippians 1). Today, let’s focus on holiness. Holy People Have you thought much ...read more
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4. What Faith Is, What Faith Isn't
Contributed on Sep 20, 2017
Today, let’s look at the motivation for gratefulness Paul lists: the Colossians’ faith and love, which are both based on their hope in the truth of the Good News. Today, we’ll focus on FAITH
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in ...read more
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5. What Makes The Gospel Grow?
Contributed on Sep 20, 2017
The first commandment in the Bible is to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28). There is physical fruit, which God was talking about when He commanded Adam & Eve. There is also spiritual fruit, which Paul describes here.
What makes the Gospel grow? Colossians 1:6 In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful ...read more
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6. What Motivates Us Pray?
Contributed on Sep 20, 2017
We need prayers most when we are most blessed. It is those times the enemy of our souls is hardest at work. He hates the blessings of the blessed.
Colossians 1:9 What motivates you to pray? Is it needs? Is it stresses? Do you pray primarily when it’s time to eat, taking advantage of an opportunity to give thanks and ask blessings? Do you pray just because you love the Lord and want to commune with Him & ask His will? Whatever it is that ...read more
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7. The Purpose Of God’s Power
Contributed on Sep 21, 2017
with God’s power we can be patient in difficulty and endure an increasing load longer and longer with joy in our hearts as we see His will accomplished
Worthiness Do you ever feel worthy of the LORD’s blessings? In general, I don’t. I think most of us don’t feel worthy, and that sense of unworthiness may increase with age. Jesus said “I do always those things that please the Father”. And when He said that, many who heard Him believed in Him (John ...read more
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8. Eternal Reason To Say "Thanks"
Contributed on Sep 21, 2017
He loves us. How can this be? I don’t know, but it’s something worth saying “thanks” for, and it is always true, every day, including those days when everything seems to be going wron
Colossians 1:12-14 Thanks. There’s that word again-thanks. How often do you say ‘thanks’? When someone brings you a cup of coffee, do you say thanks? I think most of our times of giving thanks are related to immediate actions before us. But Paul offers us something we can be grateful for ...read more
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9. Alienation To Atonement
Contributed on Sep 21, 2017
He has proven His love. He longs to be one with us. He is waiting for us to come to Him and embrace Him wholeheartedly.
Atonement Much ink has been spilled through the centuries concerning the atonement-the At-One-ment accomplished through the blood of Jesus. The theology goes basically like this: God is HOLY. That means unholiness doesn’t fit in His presence, not even necessarily because He hates unholiness, but ...read more
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10. The Problem Of If
Contributed on Sep 21, 2017
I don’t like “if”. If if requires me to do something in order to get something good, I’d rather depend on the certainty of God’s work. God doesn’t require much-all I have to do is continue in the faith Paul serves. That’s easy, right?
A few days ago we talked about our security in Christ. Our salvation and acceptance before God are secure because it is based on Jesus and His work and sacrifice, not on ours. Here Paul presents the other side of the coin of security. If That’s a conditional word. We’re reconciled to God ...read more
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11. Joy In Suffering
Contributed on Sep 21, 2017
Thankfulness (vv. 3 & 8) and joy go hand in hand. But joy and suffering-that’s different.
:-) There is the word rejoice again. Thankfulness (vv. 3 & 8) and joy go hand in hand. But joy and suffering-that’s different. Joy in suffering Where does joy come from? We’ve already talked about joy, especially in Philippians. The root word is xara, pronounced kara. That word is found in a ...read more
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12. Proclaiming Jesus
Contributed on Sep 22, 2017
When you obey God the hosts of heaven stand at attention, ready to aid you in your righteous endeavor; the Spirit of God comes along side to help; Jesus adds His “Amen” to your prayers, and our heavenly Father moves creation to work on your behalf.
Colossians 1:28 He [Jesus] is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. Proclaiming Jesus-that everyone may become ...read more
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13. Jesus Is The Best Answer To The Best Questions
Contributed on Sep 22, 2017
Good-sounding Arguments of the equality or validity of all religions (or of their equal invalidity) fall flat at the feet of Jesus.
4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to ...read more
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14. Empty Philosophies
Contributed on Sep 22, 2017
Paul states explicitly here that there are philosophies that sound logical and reasonable but are simply wrong, and take us away from the Good News of Jesus. Logic and philosophy are good, but they can only take us so far.
Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. Paul considered how Jesus makes the Christian faith different from all others. I hinted at the ...read more
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15. The Best You
Contributed on Sep 22, 2017
Certainly your function in a system (your job) is a part of who you are, but is it the essential or most important part? Paul defines us based on our relationship with Jesus.
Colossians 2:9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the ...read more
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16. Looking To Jesus
Contributed on Sep 22, 2017
The New Testament never requires sacrifices or dreams or visions as either the means or the indicator of spirituality. . . If we focus on Jesus and His word, we will remain anchored in truth and humility
16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility ...read more
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17. Wanted: Dead Or Alive
Contributed on Sep 22, 2017
What makes heaven heaven? God is there. If we went to a place paved with gold and ornamented with jewels and bathed in dazzling light, and governed by satan, it would be a place of torment, pain, and sorrow.
3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. What happens when you die? For one thing, ...read more
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18. Kill, Kill, Kill‼!
Contributed on Sep 22, 2017
Rather than pursuing our passion we have to kill it.
4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. Kill, Kill, ...read more
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19. Zombie Salvation
Contributed on Sep 22, 2017
If you’re crucified and dead but still walking round in your dead body you’re a zombie. But unlike the various recent versions of the zombie idea the Bible offers an elegant solution to the zombie problem, Jesus.
You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other,since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on ...read more
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20. The Spirituality Of Musicianship-The Musicianship Of Spirituality
Contributed on Sep 22, 2017
Ours is an artistic faith. We are exhorted to encourage one another with songs and hymns and spiritual songs-singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord. It seems that worshipping God makes us all musicians.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with ...read more
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21. The Symphony Of Family
Contributed on Sep 23, 2017
The beauty of life is only possible when each performer plays his or her part well, submitting to the leader, fully cooperating with the Conductor. When this happens the music is so beautiful the whole world is draw to the Conductor/Composer.
18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. 22 Slaves, ...read more
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22. Wives, Submit Yourselves To Your Husbands, As Is Fitting In The Lord.
Contributed on Sep 23, 2017
I don’t accept the often, to me, lame attempts to somehow explain this passage away and act like the Bible, properly interpreted, has a 21st century view of marriage. It doesn’t. I think the biblical view is beautiful, but it is very much not modern.
18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Wives First of all, there is no problem with the translation here, though I’ll clarify a bit in a moment. Ladies, how does this make you feel? You ok with this? Are you immediately thinking of reasons for exceptions? What if ...read more
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23. Husbands, Love Your Wives And Do Not Be Harsh With Them
Contributed on Sep 23, 2017
Why does the Bible so often command men to love? Maybe because love doesn’t come naturally to many of us; we have to be told to.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them . . . Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. When Paul wrote to the Ephesian church he laid the weight of responsibility on much thicker. With nine verses he explained how a husband should love his wife, ...read more
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24. Children And Employees
Contributed on Sep 23, 2017
The principles that make a good employee or good offspring are the same. Be sincere, and work like God is your boss.
Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord . . . 22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at ...read more
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25. Purpose Of Prayer
Contributed on Sep 23, 2017
Paul promotes the purposes of prayer as Watchfulness, Thankfulness and Effectiveness.
42 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; ...read more
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26. A Bunch Of Losers!
Contributed on Sep 23, 2017
We know almost nothing about Tychicus or Mark or Onesimus, except Mark and Onesimus failed horribly. Yet they figure prominently in Paul's final comments to the Colossian church. Losing isn't the end of their story, or yours.
fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.10 My ...read more
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27. Standing Together
Contributed on Sep 23, 2017
How do you overcome the loneliness of our existential human condition? In Christ there is no Lone Ranger-no Ranger at all. We are all connected, and work much better in teams
11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand ...read more