Ephesians 4:17-24; NKJV
17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,
18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;
19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But you have not so learned Christ,
21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
The Old Man
1. Former conduct
2. Put off
3. Grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts
The New Man
1. Be renewed in the spirit of your mind
2. Put on the new man
3. God created your new man
4. True rightousness
5. True holiness
6. Your new conduct - see Ephesians 4:25-32
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Equipping the Saints
Ephesians 4:11-16
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ —
16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
The purpose of all this is growth!
1. Numerically, as lost people are led to Jesus.
2. Spiritually, so that each member will no longer be an “infant” who is “tossed back and forth by the waves,” but that each will attain “the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
3. Organically, as relationships become stronger and more mutually supportive and the whole body is “joined and held together by every supporting ligament.”
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ —
16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
The purpose of all this is growth!
1. Numerically, as lost people are led to Jesus.
2. Spiritually, so that each member will no longer be an “infant” who is “tossed back and forth by the waves,” but that each will attain “the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
3. Organically, as relationships become stronger and more mutually supportive and the whole body is “joined and held together by every supporting ligament.”
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
How to Be One
Ephesians 4:1-6; NKJV
1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,
2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
1. We must want to be like Jehovah God.
2. We must want to be one.
3. We must work to be one.
1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,
2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
1. We must want to be like Jehovah God.
2. We must want to be one.
3. We must work to be one.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Ephesians 3:20-21
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21; NKJV)
Able – power
Exceedingly Abundantly Above – no limit to His ability, His power – such a God can answer prayer
Power that Works in Us – the Holy Spirit (3:16), to be active, operative, to be at work
Glory – the praise, honor, and lifting up
In the Church by Christ Jesus – body/head; brothers/Elder Brother
Able – power
Exceedingly Abundantly Above – no limit to His ability, His power – such a God can answer prayer
Power that Works in Us – the Holy Spirit (3:16), to be active, operative, to be at work
Glory – the praise, honor, and lifting up
In the Church by Christ Jesus – body/head; brothers/Elder Brother
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Hidden in My Heart
"For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel." (Ezra 7:10; NKJV)
Friday, January 25, 2013
Ephesians 3:11
"...according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord..." (Ephesians 3:11; NKJV)
God worked our His eternal purpose in time. The eternal purpose of God was accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. Thanks to Him "we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him" (Ephesians 3:12; NKJV).
Don't lose heart (Ephesians 3:13). Pray with boldness (Ephesians 3:12). Rejoice in the the Lord Jesus (Ephesians 3:11).
God worked our His eternal purpose in time. The eternal purpose of God was accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. Thanks to Him "we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him" (Ephesians 3:12; NKJV).
Don't lose heart (Ephesians 3:13). Pray with boldness (Ephesians 3:12). Rejoice in the the Lord Jesus (Ephesians 3:11).
Thursday, January 24, 2013
When You Read
Ephesians 3:1-7; NKJV
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles —
2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,
3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already,
4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),
5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:
6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,
7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.
God expects us to read to His word. Because of His great love for us He has revealed Himself and a plan of salvation to us. When we read His word we can know Him and receive His grace.
Read His word. Know Him. Experience His grace.
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles —
2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,
3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already,
4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),
5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:
6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,
7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.
God expects us to read to His word. Because of His great love for us He has revealed Himself and a plan of salvation to us. When we read His word we can know Him and receive His grace.
Read His word. Know Him. Experience His grace.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
The Temple
Ephesians 2:19-22; NKJV
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Relationship: We are living stones in the temple of God.
Responsibility: We are to worship and present our bodies a living and holy sacrifice.
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Relationship: We are living stones in the temple of God.
Responsibility: We are to worship and present our bodies a living and holy sacrifice.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Let us Go to Him Through Them
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,
15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,
16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.
17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.
18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
Ephesians 2:13-18; NKJV
We have an all access pass to our Father in Heaven through our Elder Brother and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, let us go boldly to Him through them and pour out our hearts. Let us draw near.
14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,
15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,
16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.
17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.
18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
Ephesians 2:13-18; NKJV
We have an all access pass to our Father in Heaven through our Elder Brother and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, let us go boldly to Him through them and pour out our hearts. Let us draw near.
Monday, January 21, 2013
But God
What we did - Ephesians 2:1-3
"And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
"But God" - Ephesians 2:4-18
1. Rich in mercy (2:4)
2. Great love (2:4)
3. Made us alive together with Christ (2:5)
4. By grace (2:5
5. Raised us up in Christ Jesus (2:6)
6. Made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (2:6)
7. Show us grace and kindness in Christ Jesus (2:7)
8. By grace (2:8)
9. Created in Christ Jesus for good works (2:10)
10. Brought near by the blood of Christ (2:13)
11. Made peace (2:14-15)
12. Reconciled us to Himself through Christ (2:16)
13. Through Christ Jesus we have access by the Holy Spirit to the Father (2:18)
"And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
"But God" - Ephesians 2:4-18
1. Rich in mercy (2:4)
2. Great love (2:4)
3. Made us alive together with Christ (2:5)
4. By grace (2:5
5. Raised us up in Christ Jesus (2:6)
6. Made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (2:6)
7. Show us grace and kindness in Christ Jesus (2:7)
8. By grace (2:8)
9. Created in Christ Jesus for good works (2:10)
10. Brought near by the blood of Christ (2:13)
11. Made peace (2:14-15)
12. Reconciled us to Himself through Christ (2:16)
13. Through Christ Jesus we have access by the Holy Spirit to the Father (2:18)
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Hidden in My Heart
"For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel." (Ezra 7:10; NKJV)
Friday, January 18, 2013
A Prayer We Need to Pray for One Another
15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,
18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power...
Ephesians 1:15-19; NKJV
16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,
18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power...
Ephesians 1:15-19; NKJV
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Ephesians 1:3-14
The Work of the GODHEAD in My Salvation (Ephesians 1:3-14)
1. The Father – Election (1:3-6)
2. The Word – Redemption (1:7-12)
3. The Spirit – Protection (1:13-14)
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31; NKJV)
1. The Father – Election (1:3-6)
2. The Word – Redemption (1:7-12)
3. The Spirit – Protection (1:13-14)
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31; NKJV)
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Reading the Colossians Mail
"Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea." (Colossians 4:16; NKJV)
The letter to Colosse was to be read in Colosse. It was also to be read in Laodicea. It is to be read in Vestavia Hills too.
Let us read this epistle and allow His grace to be with us too: "Grace be with you" (Colossians 4:18; NKJV).
The letter to Colosse was to be read in Colosse. It was also to be read in Laodicea. It is to be read in Vestavia Hills too.
Let us read this epistle and allow His grace to be with us too: "Grace be with you" (Colossians 4:18; NKJV).
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Epaphras
"Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets
you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand
perfect and complete in all the will of God. for I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis." (Colossians 4:12; NKJV)
1. Epaphras was a Colossian.
2. Epaphras was a slave of Christ.
3. Epaphras labored fervently for the Colossian Christians in prayers.
4. Epaphras prayed that the Colossian Christians would stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
5. Epaphras had a great zeal for all the Christians in the Lycus Valley (Colosse, Laodicea and Hierapolis).
Let us follow the example of Epaphras and labor fervently in prayers for one another and for other Christians in our area!
1. Epaphras was a Colossian.
2. Epaphras was a slave of Christ.
3. Epaphras labored fervently for the Colossian Christians in prayers.
4. Epaphras prayed that the Colossian Christians would stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
5. Epaphras had a great zeal for all the Christians in the Lycus Valley (Colosse, Laodicea and Hierapolis).
Let us follow the example of Epaphras and labor fervently in prayers for one another and for other Christians in our area!
Monday, January 14, 2013
Praying for Doors of Opportunity
"2 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…” (Colossians 4:2-3; NIV).
A “door” is a metaphor for an opportunity for doing something (Strong’s).
A “door” is a metaphor for an opportunity for doing something (Strong’s).
We
should ask our God and Father to bring us those who are looking for Him!
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Hidden in My Heart
"For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel." (Ezra 7:10; NKJV)
Friday, January 11, 2013
A Master in Heaven
Colossians 4:1; NKJV
"Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven."
"master in heaven" - kurios - he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has the power of deciding; master, lord. Used universally, of the possessor and disposer of a thing, the owner. Kurios is a title of honor, expressive of respect and reverence, with which servants salute their master (Thayer’s)
We belong to the Lord Jesus. He has the power of deciding what we think, what we say, what we do. He owns us. We have a good Master...
"Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven."
"master in heaven" - kurios - he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has the power of deciding; master, lord. Used universally, of the possessor and disposer of a thing, the owner. Kurios is a title of honor, expressive of respect and reverence, with which servants salute their master (Thayer’s)
We belong to the Lord Jesus. He has the power of deciding what we think, what we say, what we do. He owns us. We have a good Master...
Thursday, January 10, 2013
The Centrality of Christ
Colossians 3:12-17; NKJV
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
The Centrality of Christ
1. The Grace of Christ (3:12-14)
2. The Peace of Christ (3:15)
3. The Word of Christ (3:16)
4. The Name of Christ (3:17)
“…Christ is all, and in all.” (3:11)
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Set Your Mind
Colossians 3:1-4; NKJV
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."
“Set your mind on” - to exercise the mind, i.e. entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication, to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain direction); intensively, to interest oneself in (with concern or obedience) (Strong's); oo direct one's mind to a thing, to seek or strive for (Thayer's)
Why?
1. You were raised with Christ.
2. Christ is above.
3. You died.
4. Your life is hidden with Christ in God.
5. Christ is your life.
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."
“Set your mind on” - to exercise the mind, i.e. entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication, to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain direction); intensively, to interest oneself in (with concern or obedience) (Strong's); oo direct one's mind to a thing, to seek or strive for (Thayer's)
Why?
1. You were raised with Christ.
2. Christ is above.
3. You died.
4. Your life is hidden with Christ in God.
5. Christ is your life.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Colossians 2:14
Colossians 2:11-14; NKJV
11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
The Greek word translated “handwriting” (COL 2:14) referred to the handwritten certificate of debt by which a debtor acknowledged his indebtedness.
—
All people (ROM 3:23) owe GOD an unpayable debt for violating his law (MATT 18:23-27), and are thus under sentence of death (ROM 6:23).
—
When a person was crucified, a list of crimes was nailed to the cross to declare one’s violations (MATT 27:37; MK 15:26; LK 23:38; JN 19:19).
—The believer’s sins are nailed to the cross!
—
Forgiveness – GOD wiping the ink off the parchment!
—
The cross of Christ satisfies the just wrath of GOD against crimes requiring punishment in full!
—
11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
The Greek word translated “handwriting” (COL 2:14) referred to the handwritten certificate of debt by which a debtor acknowledged his indebtedness.
—
All people (ROM 3:23) owe GOD an unpayable debt for violating his law (MATT 18:23-27), and are thus under sentence of death (ROM 6:23).
—
When a person was crucified, a list of crimes was nailed to the cross to declare one’s violations (MATT 27:37; MK 15:26; LK 23:38; JN 19:19).
—The believer’s sins are nailed to the cross!
—
Forgiveness – GOD wiping the ink off the parchment!
—
The cross of Christ satisfies the just wrath of GOD against crimes requiring punishment in full!
—
Monday, January 7, 2013
Complete in Him
"For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” (Colossians 2:9-10; NKJV)
Complete – pleroo – "to fill" (in the passive voice, "to be made full”), is translated "complete" in the KJV of Colossians 2:10 (Vine’s).
If you have Christ Jesus, you also have...
1. The Father
2. The Holy Spirit
3. The Word
4. The Church
5. Angels
6. Every Spiritual Blessing
7. Heaven
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Hidden in My Heart
"For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel." (Ezra 7:10; NKJV)
Friday, January 4, 2013
Christ in You, the Hope of Glory
"To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27; NKJV)
Question: Where does Jehovah want Jesus to be?
Answer: In you.
"...until Christ is formed in you..." (Galatians 4:19; NKJV). "Formed" – verb – morphoo – refers, not to the external and transient, but to the inward and real; it is used in Gal 4:19, expressing the necessity of a change in character and conduct to correspond with inward spiritual condition, so that there may be moral conformity to Christ (Vine’s).
"...the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27; NKJV). This glory is that which Christians will wear in their perfected, heavenly state, when they will fully reflect the glory they now behold in God through Christ.
Question: Where does Jehovah want Jesus to be?
Answer: In you.
"...until Christ is formed in you..." (Galatians 4:19; NKJV). "Formed" – verb – morphoo – refers, not to the external and transient, but to the inward and real; it is used in Gal 4:19, expressing the necessity of a change in character and conduct to correspond with inward spiritual condition, so that there may be moral conformity to Christ (Vine’s).
"...the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27; NKJV). This glory is that which Christians will wear in their perfected, heavenly state, when they will fully reflect the glory they now behold in God through Christ.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Reconciliation
Colossians 1:19-23; NKJV
19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight — 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Reconciliation is the process by which man and Jehovah are brought together again. Jehovah and man are estranged because of man's sinfulness and Jehovah's holiness. Because of His great love for man, the Father offers the opportunity for reconciliation through the sacrifice of Christ where man's sin is atoned and God's wrath is appeased. When a person obeys the gospel of Christ the relationship of hostility and alienation is changed into one of peace and fellowship.
The initiative in reconciliation was taken by Jehovah. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8; NKJV). Let us make peace with God through the blood of His cross and continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast!
19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight — 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Reconciliation is the process by which man and Jehovah are brought together again. Jehovah and man are estranged because of man's sinfulness and Jehovah's holiness. Because of His great love for man, the Father offers the opportunity for reconciliation through the sacrifice of Christ where man's sin is atoned and God's wrath is appeased. When a person obeys the gospel of Christ the relationship of hostility and alienation is changed into one of peace and fellowship.
The initiative in reconciliation was taken by Jehovah. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8; NKJV). Let us make peace with God through the blood of His cross and continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast!
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
The Preeminence of Christ
Colossians 1:13-18; NKJV
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence."
To "have the preeminence" is to be first in rank or influence (Strong's).
To "have the preeminence" is to hold the first place (Thayer's).
To "have the preeminence" is to be first (Vine's).
Jesus Christ is to be first because of who He is.
1. The King (1:13)
2. The Son of His love (1:13)
3. The Image of God (1:15)
4. The Firstborn Over All Creation (1:14)
5. The Creator (1:16)
6. Deity (1:17)
7. The Head of the Body, the Church (1:18)
8. The Beginning (1:18)
9. The Firstborn from the Dead (1:18)
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence."
To "have the preeminence" is to be first in rank or influence (Strong's).
To "have the preeminence" is to hold the first place (Thayer's).
To "have the preeminence" is to be first (Vine's).
Jesus Christ is to be first because of who He is.
1. The King (1:13)
2. The Son of His love (1:13)
3. The Image of God (1:15)
4. The Firstborn Over All Creation (1:14)
5. The Creator (1:16)
6. Deity (1:17)
7. The Head of the Body, the Church (1:18)
8. The Beginning (1:18)
9. The Firstborn from the Dead (1:18)
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Faith, Hope and Love
Colossians 1:3-8; NKJV
3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; 7 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
1. "your faith in Christ Jesus" - conviction of the mind, trust of the heart, surrender of the will.
2. "your love for all the saints" - agape - the greatest of these - the love that chooses to do what is best for another.
3. "the hope which is laid up for you in heaven" - confident expectation of eternal life in Heaven.
"And now abide faith, hope, and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:13; NKJV).
3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; 7 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
1. "your faith in Christ Jesus" - conviction of the mind, trust of the heart, surrender of the will.
2. "your love for all the saints" - agape - the greatest of these - the love that chooses to do what is best for another.
3. "the hope which is laid up for you in heaven" - confident expectation of eternal life in Heaven.
"And now abide faith, hope, and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:13; NKJV).
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