Introduction

Welcome, beloved family of God, to this blessed gathering of saints. Isn't it a wonderful thing to be in the house of the Lord, a place where we can find peace, joy, and comfort? A place where we can find answers, strength, and direction?

We are here because we are drawn by the love of God, the love that never fails, never gives up, and never runs out on us. We are here because we believe in the power of His word to transform us, to renew our minds, and to guide us in the path of righteousness. We are here because we know that in His presence, there is fullness of joy, and at His right hand, there are pleasures forevermore.

Today, we will be meditating on a portion of Scripture from the book of Colossians. This is a letter written by the Apostle Paul, a man who, despite his many trials and tribulations, found his strength, his joy, his purpose, and his life in Christ.

Let us read from Colossians 1:24-2:5:

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These verses are filled with profound truths about the blessings bestowed on believers, the battles against the gospel, and the building of the work of the church.

In the words of Oswald Chambers, "To choose to suffer means that there is something wrong; to choose God's will even if it means suffering is a very different thing. No healthy saint ever chooses suffering; he chooses God's will, as Jesus did, whether it means suffering or not." This is the essence of our faith, the heart of the gospel, and the foundation of our hope.

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your word. We thank You for the truth it reveals, the hope it gives, and the life it brings. We ask that as we meditate on these verses today, You would open our eyes to see, our ears to hear, and our hearts to understand the depth of Your love for us, the power of Your gospel, and the beauty of Your church. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

So, let's embark on this sacred endeavor, to understand and appreciate the profound truths that the Apostle Paul has laid out for us in these verses. Let's allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, to enlighten us, and to inspire us as we ponder upon the blessings bestowed on believers, the battles against the gospel, and the building of the work of the church. Let's open our hearts and minds to receive what God has in store for us today.

Blessings Bestowed on Believers

In the verses we just read, the Apostle Paul speaks of a profound truth that is central to our faith. He speaks of the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. This mystery is Christ in us, the hope of glory. This is the first and foremost blessing that we, as believers, have been bestowed with.

A blessing that is beyond comprehension: Christ in us is a blessing that transforms us, empowers us, and fills us with hope. It is a blessing that gives us a new identity, a new purpose, and a new life. It is a blessing that assures us of our salvation, secures our future, and sustains us in our present.

Accept Christ as our Lord and Savior: When we do this, we are not just forgiven of our sins, we are not just redeemed from our past, we are not just reconciled to God, but we are also indwelt by Christ. We become the temple of the Holy Spirit, the dwelling place of God. This is a blessing that is unique to believers, a blessing that sets us apart, a blessing that makes us special.

The presence of Christ in us is a responsibility: It is a responsibility to live a life that is worthy of Him, a life that reflects His character, a life that honors His name. It is a responsibility to be His ambassadors, His representatives, His witnesses in this world. It is a responsibility to share His love, His grace, His truth with others.

The presence of Christ in us is a privilege: It is a privilege to know Him, to love Him, to serve Him. It is a privilege to be called His children, to be part of His family, to be heirs of His kingdom. It is a privilege to have access to His wisdom, His power, His resources. It is a privilege to be able to commune with Him, to fellowship with Him, to worship Him.

The presence of Christ in us is a promise: It is a promise of His presence, His guidance, His protection. It is a promise of His provision, His healing, His deliverance. It is a promise of His peace, His joy, His strength. It is a promise of His victory, His glory, His eternity. In the midst of our trials, our struggles, our challenges, we can take comfort in the fact that Christ is in us. We can find strength in the fact that He is with us. We can find hope in the fact that He is for us. We can find peace in the fact that He is our God, our Savior, our Lord.

Battles Against the Gospel

As we continue to ponder on the words of the Apostle Paul, we find ourselves faced with the stark reality of the battles against the gospel ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO