"What Makes The Church Beautiful?"

What makes us Beautiful? Colossians 1:1-14

1. Note the first thing Paul shares is he does not address the letter to the church he addresses the letter to the Saints

• 2 To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters* in Christ in Colossae:

2. The First Attribute that makes the Church of the Colossians Beautiful is Their Faith In Jesus.

• 4for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus “Have they Heard?”

• The community heard about Their Faith IN Christ Jesus, The community heard of their Love for each other, The community heard of their Hope found in the Gospel, The community also heard not only of love for each other but it is also a love for the Spirit,

3. The Second attribute that Made the church of Colossians Beautiful was its Love

• The Church at Colossi Loved “vs 7 Epaphras, our beloved fellow-servant.* behalf, 8and he has

made known to us your love in the Spirit”.

• Paul comments about the Love they have for the saints 3 In our prayers for you we always

thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the love that you have for all the saints

• Love is a fruit of the Spirit 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control.

• Love is a proof of Discipleship John writes 34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

• Love is the nature of God God is Love

• Love of God is never shaken even in troublesome times Isaiah 54: 10Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken

Don’t allow your Love to be shaken in troublesome times

• Love of God walks with Us in times of trouble. 2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; When you walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will be with you

Allow Love to walk with us IN Troublesome times

• Love makes us Beautiful

4. The Third attribute that makes the Church of the Colossians Beautiful is Its Endurances

• 11May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be

prepared to endure everything with patience

• Jesus said, “I will build my church upon this rock and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” The

church will endure

• When there is tension, struggle, strife, trouble, discord, problems, difficulties, complications, When all of these are present so is the presence of Endurance.

• Water Boy Adam Sandler Two guys setting on side line with straws coming from their drinks saying “You can do It Waterboy”

5. Finally , What makes the church beautiful is Faith, Love, Endurance, and the One that Enables

• 12giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled* you*

• God enables when Faith is distant Story Of Sid Principle at Mullens non church attender FCA

• God enables when Love is proclaimed Jesus John 3:16 Gods love enables redemption Father

forgive them they know not what they do If you love God God will enable you

• God enables when one endures the journey 6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness,