MESSAGES

Scripture: Colossians (assorted)  

Scripture Memory:  John 5:24

Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

Journey: For our last week in the book of Colossians we’ll skim over some of the previous week’s passages to remind ourselves of what God has said to us in this portion of His word. As we prepare to do that please thin about James 1:22:  “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

Will (for the pastors)

Scripture: Acts 28:16-31

Scripture Memory: John 1:12

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. . .”

Journey: Last week, in this section of the bulletin, we asked a question about evangelism. Here it is again: “When it comes to evangelism what would you say are the three great

priorities?” If you would like to try and answer the question please tell me (Will) your thoughts. I would really love to hear from you on this.

Today, we are again thinking about evangelism; specifically, we’re thinking about evangelism in the city. If you have time this morning please read Acts 28:16-31 and see if you can identify 4 key principles for evangelism in the life of Paul.

Will (for the pastors)

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Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6

Scripture Memory: Psalm 86:5-7

5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 Hear my prayer, LORD;
listen to my cry for mercy.
7 When I am in distress, I call to you,
because you answer me.

Journey: As we look back at Colossians 4:2-6 today let me ask you a question to get you thinking about the subject of that passage. “When it comes to evangelism what would you say are the three great priorities? What three things must be an absolute reality if people are to be set free from their sins (for the Kingdom to grow through a particular people in a particular place)?”

I would imagine that you know the answer,

Will (for the pastors)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Scripture Memory:  Psalm 77:1-2

 I cried out to God for help;
   I cried out to God to hear me.
² When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
   at night I stretched out untiring hands,
   and I would not be comforted.

Journey: As we’re nearing the end of our study of Colossians I find it interesting that the very last “instruction” Paul gives concerns how we relate to people outside of the church. Paul has just given a general exhortation to prayer and then he says, “And pray for us too, that God may open a door for our message . . . “ (Col 4:3). 

So Paul starts the book setting us straight on who Christ is, portraying Him in all of His greatness as the one in whom we find all we need. He then gets very practical and describes many implications of the Gospel for our relationships within the church, in our homes and in our places of work and now he turns the focus outward.

What about our relationships with those who do not believe what we believe and do not live the life we live? How should we think about them? How should we relate to them?   A question: Do we think about them? Do we relate to them? I’ve got a rap to share with you on this passage – can’t wait for you to hear it. 

God’s blessings,  

Will (for the pastors)