Transformed

Transformed by David Peacock Listen on Posterous

The Letter to Philemon 

Paul – Imprisoned in Rome, Acts 28:30-31 

Onesimus – A runaway slave, and probable thief, from Colossae who fled to Rome.  There he encountered Paul, and was led to faith in Christ. 

Philemon – Onesimus’s wealthy master in Colossae who was saved while Paul preached in Ephesus some 7-10 years before the writing of the letter.  He began to serve Christ faithfully including opening his home to the church at Colossae. 

 

I.                     Jesus transforms lives. 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 

Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Ephesians 4:28 

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 

·         Verse 11 – “Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful.”

·         Onesimus means “useful”, before coming to Christ he was useless to Philemon because he was untrustworthy.  Possible thief – verse 18.  Now he is useful for God’s kingdom.

·         God takes a life that is useless and makes it useful, a life that seems to have no value and makes it valuable, a life that is not worth living and makes it worth living.

·         Onesimus was saved.  He heard the Gospel and receive Jesus as His Lord and Savior and committed his life to his service.

·         Though once bitter at the circumstances of his life, he was now grateful and was willing to risk to make right what he had done wrong.  Could there be punishment?  Yes.  Roman society expected brutal punishment of fugitive slaves.  But no matter, his life was no longer about escaping circumstances but honoring Jesus no matter the circumstances.  Formerly a bitter servant, Onesimus is now a joyful bond servant of Jesus.

·         Has your life been transformed by Jesus?  Do you feel useless?  Do you feel like your life has no value?

 

II.                  Jesus transforms relationships. 

“For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.” Ephesians 2:14–16 

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23–24 

And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers. . . Malachi 4:6 

·         Verse 16 – “no longer a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother.”

·         A restored and renewed Relationship!

·         In Christ, relationships are transformed.  Jews and Gentiles are made one.  Slaves and free people are of equal worth and value.

·         Reconciliation is at the heart of God.  Reconciliation to God through Christ.  Reconciliation to others.

·         Do you need to forgive someone who has harmed you? – Paul told Philemon to charge to his account whatever Onesimus has done wrong.  Isn’t that what Jesus tells us?

·         Do you need to initiate seeking forgiveness from another?  Maybe it will be hard and you do not know how the other person will respond.  I’m pretty sure it can’t be any harder than it was for Onesimus.

·         Do you need to be God’s instrument in helping those you love come to a point of reconciliation? 

 

III.                Jesus transforms societies. 

And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” Acts 17:6–7 

About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.” Acts 19:23–27 

·         Paul never demanded that Philemon set Onesimus free. But his words make it clear that Onesimus is no longer your servant, He is the slave of Jesus now and He is your brother!  How could anyone expect their brother to be their slave!

·         Verse 21 – I write to you knowing that you will do even more than I say

·         The New Testament does not demand the instant release of slaves – although it clearly speaks against the evil of slave trading – the gospel is a sword in the heart of slavery.  The gospel does not defeat slavery by demanding slaves bitterly rebel against ruthless slave owners.  It defeats slavery by calling slaves to joyfully serve Jesus in everything and calling slave owners to recognize that in Christ, we are all equal as creations of God, in Christ we are brothers and sister, and as far as ownership, no human being belongs to another for we all belong to God and God alone.

·         Sadly, Christians have used the Bible throughout generations, even in our own country to justify slavery.  The Bible does not justify slavery, it recognizes it exist in a fallen world, sets guidelines to limit its evil and then ultimately destroys it through the love and Good News of Jesus Christ.

·         That is what the Gospel of Jesus does.  It changes in a fallen society.  O, how are society needs to experiencing the transformer power of Jesus.  Societies throughout the book of Acts experienced. 

So what happened in response to this letter?  Did Philemon treat Onesimus as a brother in Christ?  Did Onesimus continue to serve the Lord faithfully?  We could say we don’t know because nothing else was ever written of these 2 men.  Then on the other hand, we could say we know exactly what happened. We know for a fact that the letter Paul wrote to Philemon, God supernaturally preserved to be part of His Holy Word.  For that to happen it would have to have been shared with the church.  For Philemon to have shared it with the church, Philemon would have recognized the truthfulness of the letter and the authority it had on his life and his willingness to obey it.  For the church to have held this letter in high regard they would also have had to personally witness the life transformation of the man whom it is written about, Onesimus and to, Philemon. 

Closing Illustration – In 1956, 5 missionaries, including Jim Elliot and Nate Saint, were killed by a war party of the Auca Indians of Ecuador, the very people to whom they were attempting to take the gospel.  Their name literally meant savages.  When news began to spread, it simply seemed like a pointless tragedy.  Until you hear the rest of the story to hear how God would transform a society through His Son Jesus.  Other missionaries, including Jim’s wife Elisabeth would soon bring the good news of Jesus to the Auca Indians and most of the tribe would be saved.  Nate’s son Steve would grow up and return to Ecuador to be a missionary to the very tribe who killed his dad.  Recently, Nate brought a member of the Auca tribe back to America with him.  The man went by the name Grandfather.  Grandfather was a member of the war party who killed Steve’s dad and the others.  Grandfather shared how a group of students came to do a story on the savages of Ecuador.  They were greeted by a kind & loving people.  They would ask what happened to all the savages.  Grandfather explained they were the savages but their life had been changed by Jesus. Grandfather was shocked that the students had a hard time understanding how such a transformation was possible.  Grandfather thought that since the students should have understood that Jesus changes things!  He shared how his tribe was broken when they heard of an American High School massacre where 2 boys killed 15 of their classmates and teachers.  We know the story as the Columbine Tragedy.  Grandfather tells of how his tribe was broken and began to pray for America.  He says “We use to be savages like that too before we came to know Jesus.  We too killed each other and had no regard for human life until we came to follow Jesus.”

 

The story of the Auca Indians, the missionaries who were killed, and their families who would follow them in reaching the Auca Indians for Christ, reminds us, that Jesus has the power to transform lives, the power to transform relationships, and the power to transforms society!

 

There are some here who need to experience the power of Jesus to transform… you must receive him today.

Thank God for Friends

Thank God For Friends by David Peacock Listen on Posterous

Colossians 4:7-8

I.                    We need Godly friends! 

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 

·         We also need to build friendships with non-Christians.  Jesus was a friend of sinners.

·         We are not called to be lone Ranger Christians.  We need each other.

·         Friends of all shapes and sizes.  Different types of people.  Not all just like us.  Near, Far, Jews, Gentiles, Slave, Free, Thief, Doctor, Young, Old, Men, Woman

·         These were friends, not just associates or co-workers – Acts 24:23

 

II.                  Friends encourage us in our walk with the Lord. 

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.  Proverbs 27:17 

Tychicus

·         “A servant in the Lord”

·         Sent to encourage the hearts of the Colossians 

Epaphras

·         Probably founded church in Colossae

·         Mature and fully assured in the will of God 

Archippus

·         Encouraged to fulfill his ministry in the Lord 

Bible

·         Letters were to be shared with Laodicea (Ephesians?)

·         Two men listed would be used by God to write 2 of the 4 narratives of the life of Jesus. 

 

III.                Friends are Trustworthy. 

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. Proverbs 27:6 

Tychicus – Knew details about Paul’s personal life, details about his activities possibly that could be harmful against his criminal case.  Paul trusted him to share this only with those who he should and to share it completely and accurately.  He also trusted Onesimus to do the same.  Onesimus may have been a thief before coming to Jesus. 

We need Godly friends who we can trust.  And trust enough to speak into our lives.  Sometimes things we would rather not hear.  And who will do what’s best with what they know about us even if we don’t always like it.  Tough love.

 

IV.               Friends care for one another like family. 

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24 

·         Family of God through faith in Jesus – Jesus says his brothers and sisters are those who do the will of God

·         Beloved Brother

·         Nympha opened her home to the church

·         For some following Jesus meant rejection by family.  The church would become their eternal family.

 

V.                 Friends walk with us through difficulty. 

Then he gave orders to the centurion that [Paul] should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs. Acts 24:23 

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17 

Tychicus –faithful minister, with Paul in Acts 20:4 where he traveled with Paul to Jerusalem.  In Jerusalem, Paul was arrested.  Went though unfair trials and eventually appealed to Rome.  He endured a dangerous journey including being shipwrecked.  2 years later, Tychicus is still by Paul’s side ministering to him.  Maybe or maybe not with Paul the whole time, but he is now. 

Luke – traveled often with Paul through the book of Acts.  Everywhere else we see this medical missionary is ministering to Paul while Paul is in jail 

Aristarchus – fellow prisoner, Seized by mob in Acts 19:29, also went to Jerusalem and voyage to Rome – Possibly choose to remain with Paul while being held under guard even though he does not have to. 

Others weren’t with him but remember him in prayer and gave financially to meet his needs.

 

VI.               Friends pray for one another. 

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Philippians 1:3–5 

·         Epaphras was a prayer warrior

·         We need to have friends not only that we will pray for, but pray with.

·         Some of my closet friends are those that we have spent time praying for one another / one another’s family’s.

 

VII.             Friends may disappoint us. 

For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. Psalm 55:12–13 

Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.” Psalm 41:9 

John Mark

·         (Acts 15:37-39l Col; 4:10; 2 Tim. 4:11)

·         A friendship that had a rocky start that became a very important one 

Demas

·         Philemon 24, Col 4:4, 2 Tim 4:10

·         Did he abandon Paul or Jesus?

·         He abandoned Paul and this hurt 

Paul knows what it means to be hurt by a close friend.  So does Jesus.

 

VIII.           Jesus is the friend who sticks closer than a brother. 

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15

 

Is Jesus your best friend?  You can become a friend of Jesus through faith in Him!  (Romans 4:3)

 

Let's Pray

Colossians 4:2-6

 

·         Prayer is powerful because God is sovereign.

·         Prayer is less about getting God to hear us and heed our will and more about God getting us to hear from Him and heed His will.

·         “Prayer is the communication with headquarters by which the weapons of warfare are deployed according to the will of God.” John Piper 

 

Let’s Pray with. . . 

1.      Persistence

 

Pray without ceasing, 1 Thessalonians 5:17

 

·         Jesus’ habit of prayer – And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. Mark 1:35  

 

·         The example of the widow – Luke 18:1-8

 

·         Nehemiah prays intensely alone, then quietly from his heart

 

·         “I look at a stone cutter hammering away at a rock a hundred times without so much as a crack showing in it.  Yet at the 101^st blow it splits in two.  I know it was not the one blow that did it, but all that had gone before.”

 

·         When asked how much time he spent in prayer, George Muller’s reply was “Hours every day.  But I live in the spirit of prayer.  I pray as I walk and when I lie down and when I arise.”

 

·         One Day George Muller began praying for five friends.  After many months, one of them to the Lord.  Ten years later, 2 others were converted.  I took 25 years before the 4^th man was saved.  Mueller persevered in prayer until his death for the fifth friend, and throughout those 52 years he never gave up hoping he would accept Christ.  His faith was rewarded, for soon after Mueller’s funeral the last one was saved. 

2.      Watchfulness

 

Mark 14:32-42

 

 

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

 

 

Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. Matthew 24:42

 

Watchfulness implies we are in battle, at war - John Piper – Why Prayer Malfunctions, page 46 of Let The Nations Be Glad. 

 

3.      Thanksgiving

 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

Let’s Pray for. . .

 

What are we to pray for?  Anything and everything, God is concerned about it all!  But, we must pray for the advance of the gospel and we must pray for God to use us to advance the gospel.

·         “Prayer is designed to extend the kingdom into fruitless enemy territory.” John Piper 

1.      Circumstances to share Jesus. 

·         We can pray about open doors because God has the power to open and close doors.

·         God never closes a door without opening a window.

·         Not necessarily an open door for escape, but an open door for the gospel

·         Thanksgiving Baskets, Community Thanksgiving Program

 

“But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” (1 Corinthians 16:8–9, ESV)

 

“And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.” (Acts 14:27, ESV)

 

“He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.” (Acts 28:30–31, ESV) 

2.      Conduct that shows Jesus. 

·         Share Jesus always, when necessary use words

·         Our lives should cause people to want to hear what we have to say and believe what we say – Disples are so believable because there was such integrity in every other part of their lives.

·         Nobody cares what you know until they know that you care

·         You are the only Bible that some people will ever read.

 

·         Seize the moment

 

“Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” (Romans 13:11–14, ESV) 

3.      Conversations that point to Jesus. 

·         Gracious – Compassion /

Spiritual, wholesome, sensitive, kind, complementary, gentle, truthful, caring, loving, thoughtful

 

·         Seasoned with salt – Conviction; salt gives flavor, cleanses, purifies

 

Razor sharp edge where compassion and conviction meet.

 

·         Woman at the well

·         Woman caught in adultery

·         Zaccheus

·         Rich Young Ruler

 

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29, ESV)

 

“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” (Psalm 141:3, ESV) 

4.      Clarity so that others will understand their need for Jesus. 

·         Words are necessary / Simple explanation of the gospel

 

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”” (Romans 10:14–15, ESV)

 

Is God asking you to open a door in your heart to Jesus?

Let's Pray by David Peacock Listen on Posterous

Let's Pray 2 by David Peacock Listen on Posterous

House Rules

House Rules by David Peacock Listen on Posterous

Colossians 3:18-4:1 

House Rule #1: Submissive Spirit 

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21

Submission does NOT mean (From 1 Peter 3:1-7):

1.        A wife is to submit to every man.

2.        A wife has less value than her husband.

3.        A wife must agree with everything her husband says.

4.        A wife is incapable of thinking and making wise choices for herself.

5.        A wife must avoid efforts to change her husband.

6.        A wife’s primary source of strength is her husband.

7.        A wife fears her husband. 

Submission is a God-honoring inclination in the heart of a wife to honor and support her husband as he leads the family to fulfill the will of God.

 

House Rule #2: Sacrificial Love

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10 

 

House Rule #3: Respectful Obedience 

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Ephesians 6:1–3 

 

House Rule #4: Sensitive Instruction 

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 

 

House Rule #5: Sincere Service 

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 

 

House Rule #6: Selfless Treatment 

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them... Matthew 7:12 

 

House Rule #7: Christ Centered 

But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15

 

 

 

Renewed In Christ

Renewed In Christ by David Peacock Listen on Posterous

Colossians 3:1-14

I. Being new in Christ, we are to live with a heavenly perspective.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Paul does not mean that we should never think the things upon the earth, but that these should not be our aim, our goal, our master. The Christian has to keep his feet upon the earth, but his head in the heavens. He must be heavenly-minded here on earth and so help to make earth like heaven.

Seek and think – (attention of mind and affection of our heart)

II. Being new in Christ, we are to put to death old, sinful habits.

“For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Romans 8:13

“And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”Galatians 5:24

1. Sexual Immorality – (porneia) any sexual activity outside the bonds of marriage
2. Impurity – evil thoughts and intentions of heart and mind
3. Passion – lust that uses others for self-gratification, led by emotion than God’s truth
4. Evil Desire – craving for evil things
5. Covetousness – greedy heart
6. Idolatry – worship of false gods, in this case sex and stuff, being one’s own God
7. Anger – slowing increasing hatred, abiding emotion seeking revenge
8. Wrath – sudden outburst
9. Malice – wishing evil on others
10. Slander – speech maliciously of someone (Matthew 5:22)
11. Obscene Talk – filthiness of talk (Ephesians 5:4)
12. Lying – When we lie, we are like Satan not God

Skunk Illustration – Feed it, move food, dog scare it away, lights, block temporary residence – No we need to kill it!

We must make a decisive break – kill – all old, sinful habits that rear their ugly heads in our new life in Christ.  We should put them to death because they brings God’s wrath and they are part of our past not our present and definitely not part of our future!

God will judge the world with His holy wrath on account of these things.  For the Christian, these things bring discipline not happiness!  

III. Being new in Christ, we are to put on holy characteristics.

“. . .  Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:24

1. Compassionate hearts – feeling deeply for others – Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
2. Kindness – Good Samaritan, seeking another’s good
3. Humility – putting others before yourself
4. Meekness – willingness to suffer injury instead of inflicting it
5. Patience
6. Forgiveness
7. Love – God-like sacrificial love

Life Questions
1. Does the hope of heaven impact how you live your daily life?
2. What sinful habits do you need to put to death that should not be part of a Christian’s life?
3. What holy characteristic will you consciously put on this week?
4. Have you been made new in Christ?
• Have you died with Jesus?
• Have your been raised with Jesus?
• Are you becoming more like Jesus every day?
• Are you certain you will be with Jesus in heaven?

Refuse 2B Religious

Refuse 2B Religious by David Peacock Listen on Posterous

Colossians 2:16-23 

Why should we refuse to be religious? 

 

I.                    Religious rituals are but a shadow of the great reality. (16-17) 

“For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.” Hebrews 10:1 

OT rituals related to diet and special days of celebrations foreshadowed the coming of Jesus.  Since Jesus has come, we need to play in the shadows but to embrace Jesus Himself. 

Are we like kids who would choose a Disney Land coloring book over an all expense paid trip to Disney Land.  A coloring book you can hold.  You can experience the reality. 

Religious Rituals are images that point to the reality of our need for Jesus.  Even those who create unbiblical religious rituals, do so because of our hunger for the real thing.  Religious Rituals are things we can control.  That is why church people are so prone to emphasize religious rituals.  But genuine Christianity is not about the shadow of rituals.  It is about the reality of Jesus. 

 

II.                  Religious revelations are not always Biblical. (18) 

“Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” Acts 17:11 

False teachers were insisting that Christians engage in the worship of angels and visions.  Worship of angels can mean: 1.  Literal worship of angels.  This is idolatry.  We are to worship God alone.  The angel in revelation told John, get up, don’t bow to me, worship God alone.  2.  Calling upon angels to help.  We call upon Jesus and Jesus alone.  Jesus is the mediator.  We go through nor to anyone else.  Not angels.  Not other Christians and family members who have proceeded us to heaven.  We go to Jesus alone.  3.  Let’s worship like the angels worship. The false teachers were saying that you are not experiencing God to the degree we are.  You need more.  You need to be like us in worship.  You need to see the visions (extra-biblical insight that others may not have.)  Show me in the Bible!  There worship became a source of pride not praise.  We need Jesus and Jesus alone.

III.                Religious rules cannot make you right with God. (20-22) 

“For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” Romans 3:28 

Sadly, it seems that often times we as Christians are known more for what we are against than what we are for.  It’s time that ends!  Christianity is not about a least of do’s and don’ts!  A list of do’s and don’ts can’t make us right with God.  How said it is when instead of pointing people to Jesus we point them to our list!  Your list of taboos has no authority over me.  My list of taboos has no authority over you.  Our authority is the Word of God alone! 

 

IV.               Religious self-renunciation cannot make you holy. (23) 

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.” Matthew 6:16 

False teachers were calling Christians to a life of asceticism.  In my outline I used the word self-renunciation.  Asceticism -  Some translations say false humility or self- denial.  This is much different than what Jesus means when he says deny yourself and take up the cross.  Jesus means set aside yourself realizing our only hope is to follow him.  The false teachers were saying that we can mistreat our bodies and with hold from our self God’s good gifts to make ourselves more religious and spiritual people.  This has no benefit.  It may make people appear spiritual but all it does is satisfy the flesh. 

“Any asceticism is a great deal more to men’s taste than abandoning self.  They will rather stick hoofs in their backs and do the ‘swinging poojah’ than give up their sins and yield their wills.  There is only one thing that will put the collar on the neck of the animal within us and that is the power of the indwelling Christ.”  Alexander McClaren 

You see what we need is to withhold from ourselves those things our hearts crave for, we need knew hearts that crave for Jesus.  We cannot make ourselves by beating ourselves up.  We are made holy by trusting in Jesus. 

 

I have said refuse to be religious.  What I mean by that is refuse to be pressured into a man-made religious legalism that says through living by and promoting our own religious and moral standard we will gain God’s favor.  We cannot gains God’s favor through our own effort.  We don’t need this type of religion.  We need a relationship with God! 

V.                 Choose to have a relationship with Jesus. 

Do you have religion or do you have a vibrate growing relationship with Jesus? 

Are we calling people to be religious or are we inviting people to Jesus?

Message by Cary Winslett - October 9th, 2011

Cary Winslet 10-9-11.mp3 Listen on Posterous

Completely Jesus

Completely Jesus by David Peacock Listen on Posterous

Colossians 2:8-15 

Don’t you hate it when something is left incomplete.  Project, Class, A debt you owe.  Not enough money, resources, strength, time, circumstances beyond your control.  But isn’t there something fulfill when that which is incomplete is completed.  As you consider the person and work of Jesus, there is nothing incomplete in Him.  He is complete in every way 

Read Passage 

Paul says do not be taken captive or kidnapped by philosophies that only tell partial truths about Jesus.  In Paul’s day, there were many ideas about Jesus that were only partially true.  These ideas deceive and take people captive.  They are not derived from the Word of God, but from human tradition and demonic spirits.  These ideas were not only part of Paul’s day – they continue even to today. (Humanism, Naturalism, Astrology, False Religion) 

I.                    Jesus is completely God. 

Some taught that Jesus is god but not full God.  Or he is man but not fully man.  Jesus is fully God and fully man.  He is complete deity and complete humanity.  In Bethlehem, the eternal God took on human flesh to forever be the God-man.  There is nothing incomplete about Him. 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 

“Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” John 14:9 

Now, if the One who is fully God dwells in us, isn’t obvious that we are complete in Him.  We need nothing or no one else to fulfill us.  People are looking for someone or something to complete them.  The only one who can complete us is the One who is completely God and completely man – Jesus!

 

II.                  Jesus completely saves. 

“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25 

Some taught that Jesus saves but not completely.  They teach basically that Jesus gets us half way home when it comes to salvation but we have to do the rest.  Either we have to do more to complete our salvation or we have to face some sort of judgment to pay for the part of our sin that Jesus did not pay for completely.  Not true.  Jesus saves and he saves completely.  He completely makes us right with God, completely gives us eternal life, and completely washes away our sin. 

Three images of Salvation:

·         Circumcision – The OT outward demonstration of man’s sinfulness and our need for God to do a work in our heart to cleanse us from out fallen human nature (body of flesh); In Acts 7:51 Stephen accuses the Jewish religious leader of being uncircumcised of heart. 

Jesus saves us by removing from us “the body of flesh” the dominating aspect of our sinfulness that we might love God and enter into a relationship with Him. 

“And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:6, ESV) 

·         Baptism – The NT outward demonstration of our new life in Christ whereby we are publically declaring our identification with His death, burial, and resurrection. 

·         Debt Elimination – Our sin has created a debt that each one of us owe but are incapable of paying.  Jesus has paid that debt for us.  Our sin, past, present, future, has been removed if we are in Christ.  We are not perfect, but we are forgiven.  How wonderful it is to be forgiven. 

“Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” (Psalm 32:1, ESV) 

““Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18, ESV) 

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,” (Ephesians 1:7, ESV) 

Do you understand that when Jesus saves, He saves completely?  When One trust in the savior, he or she is circumcised of heart so that we love God, our old self is crucified and buried with Christ and we are made spiritually new and will live eternally with Him in heave, all sin is forgiven.  Anyone who thinks that they are too bad to be saved doesn’t understand that Jesus completely saves.  His grace is greater than all our sin! 

 

III.                Jesus is completely victorious. 

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”” John 16:33 

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4–5 

Romans 8:37-39 

Paul uses the imagery of a Roman army parading a defeated enemy before a city to describe what Jesus did to Satan on the cross.  Through the cross, Jesus hit Satan with a fatal blow.  He is a defeated enemy.  This does not mean that he will not continue to fight. He battles against us, it just means he has lost the war.  Jesus is completely victorious.  In Jesus we are on the winning side.  I’ve read the end of the book!  Jesus wins and the blow that brought the victory was stuck at the cross! 

Completely Jesus:  He is completely God.  He completely saves.  He is completely victorious.  If you have trusted in Jesus, you are complete in Him, he resides in you completely, he has saved you completely, and he makes you completely victorious!

Marks of Spiritual Maturity

Colossians 2:1-7 

1.       Hearts strengthened by the gospel of Jesus. 

“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!” Psalm 31:24 

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26 

“He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.” Psalm 112:7 

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23 

“Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way.” Proverbs 23:19 

Many things promise to bring refreshing to our hearts when we need it.  Modern Psychology, a boy friend or girl friend, Money, Success, Drugs, Immorality.  Some of these things have their place in our lives; some of these should not be in the life of a Christian.  Still, the Word of God is the only thing that can truly strengthen our heart.  Does your heart need the refreshing only God can bring?  Get in His word.  Listen to music that speaks the Word of God in song.  Worship the Lord.  Listen to the Lord. 

 

2.      Love that unites believers in Jesus. 

“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14 

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”” John 13:35 

God’s love is the thread that ties His people together.  And no organization of group is bound with tighter bonds than Christian.  If want binds us together is the love of God, we our bound together forever.  God’s love for us – our love for God – our love for others 

 

3.      Deep and growing knowledge of Jesus. 

Intellectual and to greater extent relational.

a.      Assurance – You can be certain that heaven is your home. 1 John 5:13

b.      Wisdom – Practical application of God’s truth

c.       Defense – Satan wants you to believe lies – lies about marriage, finances, God’s care for you, morality, your value.  A deep and growing knowledge of Jesus is our defense against Satan’s lies.

  

    4.      Faithfulness to Jesus. 

Military terms – We are to be standing at attention, together awaiting our orders and responding faithfully, ready to serve

  

5.      Walking with Jesus. 

Receiving Jesus is not the end of our Christian life.  It’s the beginning – the beginning of a life whereby we walk step with step with Jesus every day.  By receiving Jesus, we are rooted in Him and we continue to be built up. 

 

6.      Overflowing Thankfulness to Jesus. 

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 

Thankfulness is a byproduct of humility.  You see, spiritually mature does not mean we have arrived and pretend to be among the spiritual elite.  Quit the opposite.  We recognize that all we have is a gift from God and that we are completely dependent upon Him.

v  Don’t you want to be around someone like this: One whose heart that drinks upon the Word of God to find strength, one whose love for others is strong and genuine, one who has a deep and growing knowledge of Jesus, one who is faithful to Jesus – ready to serve Him at a moments notice, one who has real day by day walk with the Lord, and one whose life just overflows with gratitude.  Isn’t this someone you want to be around?  Isn’t this someone who God delights to use?  Isn’t this someone who even non-Christians see Jesus in?

v  Agonize for these things to be true in the lives of those you are able to influence

o   Your spouse, children, grandchildren.

o   Sunday School Class

o   Classmates, co-workers, friends

v  Pursue this in your life – pursue spiritual maturity – Put Colossians 2:6-7 to memory!

Work 'Till Jesus comes

Colossians 1:24-2:1

God has called us to work.

·         Toil – kopio – hard work, struggle, labor unto weariness

“And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”” (Luke 5:5, ESV) 

“Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.” (John 4:6, ESV) 

·         Struggling – agonizomai – (agony) – Strive with intensity and effort, used of athlete striving for prize 

·         Our work is to be both physically and spiritually laborious.

o    Paul is imprisoned, experience beatings, great physical sacrifice

o    For spiritually see 4:12 – emotional, mental, and spiritual toil 

        I.            I. We must work to make the Son of God fully known.

 

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” Matthew 28:19–20 

·         Mystery – Not a secret insight reserved for the elite, but a truth that in the Old Testament was foreshadowed but veiled, and but now through Jesus has been fully revealed. – Christ through the Holy Spirit will take up residence in the hearts of all who put their faith in Him including Gentiles and they will have the hope of glory - heaven

·         Everyone, Everyone, Everyone – The full Word of God is for all, not the elite.  Illustration – Visit to the Mormon Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Mormons believe that certain spiritual truths are reserved for a select few who have worked their way to a level where they can understand.  This is never Biblical.  All of God’s truth is for all people everywhere.  Anyone declaring that certain spiritual truths are to be kept secret because they are reserved for the spiritually elite is teaching that which is contrary to the clear Word of God.  His Word is for everyone, everyone, everyone!

·         God desires everyone everywhere to understand His Word and to know His Son – but they don’t and for this we must work!

      II.            II. We must work so that others will be saved and become spiritually mature.

 

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,” Colossians 2:6

·         Christianity does not stop when we receive – It just gets started so now we live for Jesus!

 

“And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”” Acts 26:28–29

 

“. . . From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:15–17 

·         Warn – The word of God warns us of the consequences of disobedience and calls us to repent.

·         Teach – The word of God teaches us the righteousness and trains us to be men and women of God

The Word of God makes us spiritually mature.  Let’s get in His word.  Let’s work to share His word. 

    III.          III. We must work in the strength of God. 

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6 

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12–13

Illustration: Empty gloves can do nothing.  Gloves with hands in them are capable of doing anything the hands are capable of doing.