Who Are We In Christ? Book Of Colossians part 13
Good morning friends and family, and thank you for joining us on another adventure again this week. Here we are, and January is almost gone. Seems like just yesterday we were talking about Thanksgiving and Christmas. Last week, I asked everyone to do an online search to find and study the verses that had "In Him" and then "In Christ." Anyone want to share how many times those two phrase were used and what or how they spoke to you? I also asked for those who attended last week to read and study Hebrews chapter 1, and particularly verse 13. Anyone want to share what you found there? Prayer. If everyone could please turn to Colossians 3:5 and mark that verse and then turn to Romans 8:6. We could do a whole day's study on this passage we are going to read, but I want all of us to get a bit of an understanding of where we are going in our study today from the book of Colossians. Glory to God! Today we are going to be looking at those things that used to be in our old life. Things that weren't pleasant to God and that we repented of when we asked Jesus into our lives. Amen? Our old sinful nature. Are we ready? Romans 8:6-13 KJV For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Let me stop for a moment, to share what carnal means. CARNALLY, adv. In a carnal manner; according to the flesh; in a manner to gratify the flesh or sensual desire. You can see examples if you go to Leviticus 18, but because there is so much to cover today, please do that on your own. (7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (10) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (11) But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (12) Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. (13) For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Last week we looked at verses 1-4 in Colossians. Paul, being led by the Holy Spirit, said we are to consider ourselves to be dead to sin. We are to reckon ourselves, to see ourselves as dead to these things. Amen? Colossians 3:5 KJV Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Okay friends, here is another way that I read the Bible or should I say study. Remember a couple weeks ago we saw "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Here is what it looks like using a concordance, so that I can see the Greek word in this case and its meaning. Each of these numbers shows what it looked like in the Greek. Colossians 3:5 KJV+ MortifyG3499 thereforeG3767 yourG5216 membersG3196 whichG3588 are uponG1909 theG3588 earth;G1093 fornication,G4202 uncleanness,G167 inordinate affection,G3806 evilG2556 concupiscence,G1939 andG2532 covetousness,G4124 whichG3748 isG2076 idolatry:G1495 fornication porneia por-ni'-ah From G4203; harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively idolatry: - fornication. uncleanness akatharsia ak-ath-ar-see'-ah From G169; impurity (the quality), physically or morally: - uncleanness. inordinate affection pathos path'-os From the alternate of G3958; properly suffering (“pathos”), that is, (subjectively) a passion (especially concupiscence): - (inordinate) affection, lust. evil kakos kak-os' Apparently a primary word; worthless (intrinsically such; whereas G4190 properly refers to effects), that is, (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious: - bad, evil, harm, ill, noisome, wicked. concupiscence epithumia ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah From G1937; a longing (especially for what is forbidden): - concupiscence, desire, lust (after). covetousness pleonexia pleh-on-ex-ee'-ah From G4123; avarice, that is, (by implication) fraudulency, extortion: - covetous (-ness) practices, greediness. idolatry eidōlolatreia i-do-lol-at-ri'-ah From G1497 and G2999; image worship (literally or figuratively): - idolatry. Paul equates these with idolatry. Why idolatry? Because these sins are based on self gratification, self-serving carnal sins, instead of sufficiency and reliance upon God and his grace. God is jealous for you. He desires yours and my full attention. To love Him and put Him above everything. Including our family, job, school, work and our stuff. Church, do we get that? For some, that sounds harsh and I used to think it was odd, but I get it now. Hallelujah. All things that we focus on that move us away from God, that bring us to give more devotion to it than to God, can be said to be idolatrous. I can tell form the silence, I need to do a study just on that topic. Praise the Lord. Colossians 3:6 KJV For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: Powerful verse. Do we get how much these things we read God hates? Someone might say, "Brother Jim, do you mean to say God wants us to live a boring, uneventful life?" No, that is not what this is at all. True believers can have a great time. I love to fellowship with other believers and many times we have good laughs. There are many physical activities that we can do and have fun doing. Family is important. Work and school are important, and depending on your job and what you are going to school for can be fun, but God needs to be first, before these things. God's wrath is His judgment upon all who break His Holy and perfect law. Remember, the law of God is a reflection of his Holy character. But those who practice immorality, those who practice that which is contrary to the Holy nature of God will be judged. If God did not judge the lawbreaker, he would be condoning sin by not dealing with it. Therefore, sin brings wrath and it is on account of sin that the wrath of God must come. Church, do we get this? Colossians 3:7 KJV In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. Friends, Paul is saying to the Colossians and for us who have been saved, this was us. He is reminding us of how they and you and I used to walk in these sins. But, by his grace, we have been redeemed. This should be extremely comforting to know that God, through Christ, has forgiven the Colossians (and also us) of our great trespasses. It is not by our works that we are saved, but Jesus dying on the cross. Colossians 3:8 KJV But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. I want us to look at the concordance again for this verse, but notice how this verse starts. But now - I found that odd. It is like Paul was saying, "Ok Colossians, you got the sexual sin and the idolatry part taken care of, but here is the next step. You need to lay your anger and some other things at the cross." What about us, church? Anger was a problem for me. I think years of keeping things locked in and then going through a time of changing that to unloading everything at the drop of a hat. When Leanna and I got together, I was a walking time bomb. If we were running late, I got antsy. If I was backed into a corner, I exploded. Never did I hit her, but the words were just as bad. At times, I saw red and the words that came out of my mouth, I couldn't believe. Colossians 3:8 KJV+ ButG1161 nowG3570 yeG5210 alsoG2532 put offG659 all these;G3956 anger,G3709 wrath,G2372 malice,G2549 blasphemy,G988 filthy communicationG148 out ofG1537 yourG5216 mouth.G4750 Anger orgē or-gay' From G3713; properly desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), that is, (by analogy) violent passion (ire, or [justifiable] abhorrence); by implication punishment: - anger, indignation, vengeance, wrath. Wrath thumos thoo-mos' From G2380; passion (as if breathing hard): - fierceness, indignation, wrath. Malice kakia kak-ee'-ah From G2556; badness, that is, (subjectively) depravity, or (actively) malignity, or (passively) trouble: - evil, malice (-iousness), naughtiness, wickedness. blasphemy blasphēmia blas-fay-me'-ah From G989; vilification (especially against God): - blasphemy, evil speaking, railing. filthy communication aischrologia ahee-skhrol-og-ee'-ah From G150 and G3056; vile conversation: - filthy communication. So here we see that we need to put aside, get rid of anger, harmful intention, evil words, and foul language. Colossians 3:9 KJV Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; Again, Paul is saying to the church of Colosee and you and me, friends, that lying is part of the old self, the carnal nature. We being saved, should have no part of lying. It is an evil practice, not because God our judge decided that it is evil. Instead, it is evil because it is contrary to the holy nature of God. Friends, we need to understand that God is Holy. God cannot and will never lie. Actually, let me show you by His Word. Hebrews 6:18 KJV That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us. Throughout the ministry of the One who saved us from our sins, Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I tell you the truth." We know that He said, "If this is not true, I would not have told you." We hear people referring to a white lie. A lie is a lie and we should not be doing it, friends. The world will continue to tell white lies and black lies and all the lies in between. Let's you and I tell no lies. Amen? Colossians 3:10 KJV And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. Wow, wow and wow. I love this verse. What a powerful promise for you and me to fully grasp. Praise the Lord. The new self is the new man. In Christ we are made new. Though we are not completely redeemed in the sense that our physical bodies have not yet been glorified, we are already new. Isn't that exciting? I should hear Amen's all over the room. Praise Jesus for setting me and you free from the bondage that we were bound to. Glory to God for loving us to send His only Son to earth to die in our place that we may be joint heirs. Somebody shout Halleluiah. Church, we are constantly being renewed in the sense that we are constantly warring against sin and seeking to be victorious over it. Satan will continue to whisper in your ear trying to make you slip. And friend, there will be those times that I will and you will, but we quickly repent and get back on that path which we are being led. I have said this time and time again, the enemy knows what buttons to push. He knows each of our faults and will continue to try to catch you off guard. He will continue to try to bring doubt in your belief. Things you liked in the old man, or woman that you might be having trouble letting go of, he will keep prodding you with to cause you to fail. Maybe alcohol, drugs, porn, lying, gossip, or whatever the case may be. That's how he works. Friends, I think often times the devil gets more credit than is due him. We have choices, and those choices are very, very important. I will tell you this. Satan comes in subtly. How nice he makes things sound. Satan hates you. He hates you. He hates your family. He hates your job. Everything about you he hates and will do everything he can to crush you. The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. We need to understand that. Jesus came to give you life and life more abundantly. Praise our Shepard. Amen? The true knowledge is what Paul is revealing here which is based upon the work of Christ and the guarantee of our future resurrection. Remember, our life is hidden in Christ and it will be revealed when He comes back. Because of this truth, because it is true knowledge, we can have confidence in the renewal that is yet to come and is yet occurring. Glory to God. This, my friends, is who we are in Christ. Praise Jesus. Prayer. Communion.
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Hello friends and family. We're so glad you could join us as we start in chapter 3 of our study on the book of Colossians. I am excited this morning, as we are going to really start to see where we are, or should be in Christ Jesus.
Please turn to the third chapter of Colossians and we will start there. Has anyone listening or reading this joined in on the Cover to Cover in 2015? I know from members of Cross Roads Fellowship and Mylook Online, sharing bits and pieces of what they have read from day to day, that some are participating. Other than my wife Leanna, is there anyone who might be reading daily, but may not be participating in the group? It is where I urge each of you to be. Prayer. Colossians 3:1 KJV If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. What does this verse mean to you? Someone might be thinking, "My feet are firmly planted on the ground." Or as you are hearing this, or reading, you might say "I am sitting on my comfy chair and that's where I am staying because I am comfy and I am afraid of heights." Let's look at what Apostle Paul, led by the Holy Spirit, was saying in this verse. In the first two chapters, Paul was bringing to the table things that were trying to, and had, entered into the church of Colosse. Religious spirits, Philosophy, Legalism and a few other, as Paul said, "Heresy's." To me, Paul got his point out in the first couple chapters and now was time to teach Christ and who they should be in Christ. Amen? Here is where I believe the Holy Spirit is talking about to you and me. Praise God! "If ye then be risen with Christ" Paul is referring to believers...those saved, or born again. You and me. Have each of you have invited Jesus into Your life to be Lord and Savior? Actually, let's turn back a chapter to verse 20. Colossians 2:20 KJV Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, Friends, as we will see in this chapter, it's dealing with your personal relationship with Jesus. Christ in you. Glory to God! Colossians 1:27 KJV To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Colossians 2:6-7 KJV As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: (7) Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Glory to God! This is you and me, Church. This is what and where we should be. Now in our beginning verse, "You have been raised up in Him." In Christ. His resurrection. At some point, do a search online and read the verses that have "In Him" in them. Then do a search for In Him. It is because of our bond, or union, or because of us being in Christ, that Paul was referring to....having been raised up with Christ. In order for resurrection to happen, death must first have to happen. Do we get that? Our death occurred on the cross when Christ died. Paul is speaking about our death in Christ to sin. Amen? Jesus came to earth and lived a completely sinless life. He died with all the sins of the world upon Him , rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven. Now, when we are saved, we are in Him and with Him. And we need to have our minds set on the things above. Now, the last part of this verse, I have always wondered about. "Where Christ is seated at the right hand of God." Anyone want to take a guess? The right hand is a position of authority. Jesus in the position of authority with God the father. He has the right to judge. On the day of judgment, those who own the right of Christ are saved. Those on his left are in the hot seat, if you will. I want us to look at a few verses. Please turn to Matthew 25:33. Maybe we will get a better understanding of this. Matthew 25:33-41 KJV And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. (34) Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: (35) For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: (36) Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. (37) Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? (38) When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? (39) Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? (40) And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (41) Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: This just came to me. Do you suppose we should be careful what we ask the Lord for? Matthew 20:20-23 KJV Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. (21) And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. (22) But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. (23) And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. At some point this week, look up Hebrews chapter 1:13. Church, when we gave our hearts to the Lord, we were raised up with Christ. Our old man died. Amen? Our sins were washed away by the precious blood of the Lamb. Jesus being our sacrifice for our sin. Our sins weren't just covered, but destroyed and God will never remember those sins we confessed to Him. Have you confessed your sins, church? When you do, don't let the enemy bring them back up, because that's what he does and what he will continue to do. Friends, we must consider ourselves dead to sin and now we should set our minds on the things above. We should think of godly things. And church, how do we do that? We spend time in His Word. We spend time in prayer. We fellowship with like-minded people. We stay clear from the sinful nature that kept us in bondage. When we start to go off that straight path, we what? Repent! Acts 3:17-19 KJV And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. (18) But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. (19) Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; We kind of looked at this verse, but it's well worth reading again. Colossians 3:2 KJV Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Please turn to Philippians 4:4. Friends, when we start spending time in the Word, when you truly give your heart to God, when you spend time in prayer, stay away from the people that were bad influences and things you lusted after, your actions, speech and whole being will start to change. Some are even healed immediately from diseases, and miracle after miracle starts happening. I'm not saying everyone is going to, but it does happen. Philippians 4:4-9 KJV Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. (5) Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (6) Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (9) Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Colossians 3:3 KJV For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Again, we kind of went through this verse. I would ask you to think about this when the tables were turned. What I mean is, before you gave your life to Christ, the Anointed One, you were dead to Christ. Get it? And alive to the world. How was that working out for you? For those young in their walk with God, maybe you haven't noticed a change yet, but I promise you, if you stay steadfast in His Word, walk in obedience, spend time in prayer, don't have idols, stay away from the lusts of the world, you will notice a difference. To me, and I am jumping ahead of myself, our whole focus should be on Christ. He should be the first thought of the day, throughout the day and at the end of the day, if we truly love Him. Now, is Jim saying that you should not think about your family, work, school, or even recreation? I didn't say that, but when you put God first, all those other important things fall into place. Did that speak to anyone? Did that make sense to anyone? Colossians 3:4 KJV When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. What a verse. What a promise. What is Paul saying here? This verse is for the saved, because the unsaved know Him not, and He is not in them. When Jesus appears again (some translations use is revealed), when He returns, then we will also be revealed with Him in glory. Does this speak volumes to anyone? This revelation means that the full redemption of what we are both spiritually and physically will be revealed when Jesus returns. Turn please to John 14: 1. Church, this means that the real you, will be revealed. You will be without the carnal flesh. It will be a wondrous day when we exist without sin dwelling in our hearts. John 14:1-7 KJV Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (2) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (4) And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. (5) Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? (6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (7) If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. John 3:1-8 KJV There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: (2) The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. (3) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (4) Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? (5) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7) Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (8) The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. I'm about to close, but I really want all of us to understand the importance of just the few verses we read in Colossians. Glory be to God. Here is Apostle Paul, once Saul, who I believe knew the Old Testament like the back of his hand. Here a man who had Christians arrested, jailed, put to death, because of what he thought was right in the eyes of God. He is on his way to Damascus to do wrong to many more Christians, and then Christ appeared. "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?" His people. Christ's followers. And then the miraculous change of life, heart, words and goals. I wonder if there was a man that loved Jesus as much as Paul after this conversion. This life-changing lifestyle that Paul had is what I think he wants all of us to experience. Did Paul live an easy life, sitting on the beach with his feet in the water sipping on an iced tea? I don't think so. His feet may have been in the water from a ship wreck, but his life was far from easy. For you and me, are our lives going to be easy if we fully commit our lives to Jesus? For some it may be a better life. Some may be healed from a terminal illness. Some may be delivered from an addiction that has haunted you for most of your life and now you are set free. Praise God! Others may be set financially free after being in debt all their lives. There are some who may be sitting comfortable with a good job, big house, fancy pool, boat and the works. There may be a straight-A student hearing or reading this who is all ready to graduate from college and has a dream job already lined up. A new family with a child on the way and they are so full of excitement, and BAM everything is gone. Look at the story of Job. Friends, my Bible tells me greater is He that is in me that he that is in the world. My God will never leave me nor forsake me. Hebrews 10:23 GW We must continue to hold firmly to our declaration of faith. The one who made the promise is faithful. Romans 4:7-8 GW "Blessed are those whose disobedience is forgiven and whose sins are pardoned. (8) Blessed is the person whom the Lord no longer considers sinful." 1 Corinthians 15:10 KJV (10) But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Proverbs 30:5 KJV Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Had enough? I didn't think so. Psalms 31:24 KJV Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD. Isaiah 40:29 KJV He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Philippians 4:13 KJV I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Matthew 5:4 KJV Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. John 14:18 KJV I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. So, look and keep your eyes fixed on where Christ is and wait and be ready for when He returns. Glory to God! Everyone praise Jesus. Praise Him with shouts of joy and give Him a clap-offering, for He is good. Prayer. Communion. Good morning friends and family and welcome to part 11 of "Who are We In Christ?" from our study in the book of Colossians. We have gone over many things in the past weeks and so much more that we will dig into in the next few weeks, God willing.
Has this study spoken to anyone? Who are you in Christ? How has Jesus changed your life since you came to know Him? How is He working in your life today? Have you surrendered your whole life to Him? These are just a few things that I hope these studies and the ones that follow will help each of us. Prayer. Please turn in your Bibles to Colossians 2:20. Mark your place there and then turn to 2 Peter 3:16. I want to recap on what we looked at last week and dig a bit more into the importance of being in God's Word and what it will do in your lives if you are in it and what can happen if you're not. Are we ready? 2 Peter 3:16-18 KJV As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. (17) Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. (18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen. I am going to read from the amplified version. 2 Peter 3:16-18Amplified Bible (AMP) Speaking of this as he does in all of his letters. There are some things in those [epistles of Paul] that are difficult to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist and misconstrue to their own [a]utter destruction, just as [they distort and misinterpret] the rest of the Scriptures. 17 Let me warn you therefore, beloved, that knowing these things beforehand, you should be on your guard, (Church, we need to be on our guard) lest you be carried away by the error of lawless and wicked [persons and] fall from your own [present] firm condition [your own steadfastness of mind]. 18 But grow in grace (undeserved favor, spiritual strength) and [by] recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him [be] glory (honor, majesty, and splendor) both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (so be it)! Is there twisting, distortion and misinterpreting of scripture going on within the church today? You bet there is. Remember in the Gospels when Jesus was led into the desert and Satan twisted scriptures to try to get Jesus to fall? The devil quoted scripture to Him. It wasn't the rightly divided truth. It wasn't what God was saying. Is everyone following what I am trying to share? We see this happening today. Because I am on so many sites, I see people taking scriptures and twisting them and making them say what they want and not what God is saying. There are so many people who act all knowing about the Bible and they are unstable, unknowing, and they say things that the Bible does not say. 2 Corinthians 13:1 KJV This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. Last week we looked at 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. So, if we can rightly divide the word, we can also what? Wrongly divide it. You can make the scriptures say anything you want. Take part of scripture from here and another from there and invent whatever you want. Church, do we see this? So I ask you, is it important to rightly divide scripture? Friends, what I want us to understand through this part of the message is this. When you and I, when we are rooted in the truth, in God's Word, continue to listen to those who are unlearned and unstable and they start twisting scriptures, we can start questioning the truth. You can become unsettled and then you start wavering in your faith. Amen. Do we get this? Friends, this is why I continually, each week, ask you to be in God's Word on a daily basis. It is why I ask you to pray in faith for the Lord to help you in your reading and show the things that He plans to show you. Our faith needs to be unwavering. How do we build our faith? Romans 10:17 KJV So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. God's Word is perfect and unchanging. Hebrews 4:12 KJV For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 6:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Friends, The devil is so crafty. He doesn't come in the front door. No, he sneaks in through the back door, through a crack, or the window and he makes things sound kind of like God, but there is something a bit twisted. "Oh Eve, did God really say you would die if you ate the apple? Jesus, if you bow down to me, I will give you everything. Jump from this Pinnacle, Son of God and the angels will protect you. Jack, you have a great name and I know you're really trying to quit drinking the past couple months, but you know you really want a taste of Jack Daniels. Mary, you know you want to tell your friends what you saw your friend doing with this one yesterday. No one will really get hurt if you make up a little story to about your brother to get him in trouble and he loses his job and now you can have it. Take a look at that movie with those nice looking babes in it." Do we get this, friends? He is crafty. He knows what buttons to push that you are weak in. The same can happen when we are not grounded in the Word of God. We hear someone saying things that kind of sound like it could be scripture and then we believe it is scripture. I know. There have been times while putting messages together, and I start remembering something that I heard years ago from a preacher, or from someone at church that fits perfectly with the message I am preparing. Well friends, when I start digging in my Bible searching and searching and then I do a Google search, I find it's not there. I say it's not there. I can see something that almost sounds like it, but when you read the verse after, it has a totally different meaning. Ok church, let's go to Colossians 2:20 and God willing, we will finish up with this chapter. I do believe that what saw in the verses we just heard has very much to do with Who We Are In Christ. It is so important that our faith be built up, and if we are wavering in our faith, we are not pleasing God. Amen? And from these verses that we will be looking at today in Colossians, Apostle Paul, being led by the Holy Spirit, was warning the church of Colosse about false doctrine. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 KJV And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Colossians 2:20 KJV Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, Paul is addressing a legalism problem that was starting to be taught during this time in the church. Suppose that is still going on? You bet it is, and we will look at some of those things in a bit. When we are truly saved and have an intimate relationship with our Lord and Savior, we are said to have died with Jesus. Turn please to Romans 6. We are only going to read the first few verses, but I urge each of you this week to read the whole chapter and study it. Praise the Lord! Romans 6:1-7 KJV What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? (2) God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (3) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (6) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (7) For he that is dead is freed from sin. Colossians 2:21-23 KJV (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using:) after the commandments and doctrines of men? which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. Ok, this may surprise some, and irritate many, and I am fully aware that this will bring in the emails, but some of the issues of legalism are don't handle, don't taste, don't touch. Unfortunately, some believe that our holiness before God is dependent on our behavior. Do we understand this? It is not our holiness before God that is dependent upon the work of Christ. Now in saying this, it does not mean it's okay to sin. Friends, we have our Bibles that shows us how to live. The things that are ok, the things we should stay away from. Jesus was our perfect model. He left His throne in Heaven to come live with sinners like you and me and to teach them Godliness and faith. Praise Jesus! We are to avoid ungodliness. But we have to make sure that our avoiding ungodliness is not done so that we might maintain our position of salvation with God (legalism). Instead, it should be motivated out of our desire to honor God and bring glory to Him, because we already are secure in Him through the work of Christ. Praise the Lord. Colossians 2:22 KJV Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? We can look at many denominations and cults and see that legalism is a product of human teaching. When we properly understand our position with God through Christ, we understand that we are not obligated to keep God's law in order to please God so as to keep salvation. Again, all that we have and need is found in the person of Jesus. Another chapter that I highly recommend reading this week is Galatians 3. Colossians 2:23 KJV Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. As we have looked at in the past couple weeks, we need to rightly divide scriptures. There will always be those who come with things that may sound close to what the Word says, but test the spirits. Man-made legalism has the appearance of wisdom, but it is not wisdom. Let me give you some examples. The Mormons will tell you that they trust the King James Bible. They sort of do, but they have another false book that they trust even more. In it, they have what they call "word of wisdom." In it, it warns it's members to stay away from hot and caffeinated drinks (appearance of wisdom in self-made religion). Now, there are denominations that say no dancing is allowed. I, in a way, get what they are trying to stay away from, but again, unbiblical. We see in 2 Samuel that King David danced before the Lord, and furthermore, he danced with all his might. We can look at several verses about dancing, but this one comes to mind first. Psalms 149:3 KJV Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. Some churches say that you should not have TVs. Absolutely can't watch movies. Show me in God's Word. Now, should we watch everything on TV? Absolutely not. We should stay away from shows that have nudity and things promoting issues that we should stay clear from. There are many shows that Leanna and I watch that are positive and clean. Here is a statement that is sure to get me hate mail. There are religious groups that say that guitars and drums are not to be allowed in a church building. It is from the devil. Oh really? Let's look at some verses. Remember, rightly divide scripture. Psalm 150:1-5 Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. 2 Chronicles 5:11 GNB All the priests present, regardless of the group to which they belonged, had consecrated themselves. And all the Levite musicians---Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, and the members of their clans---were wearing linen clothing. The Levites stood near the east side of the altar with cymbals and harps, and with them were 120 priests playing trumpets. The singers were accompanied in perfect harmony by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, as they praised the LORD singing: "Praise the LORD, because he is good, And his love is eternal." As the priests were leaving the Temple, it was suddenly filled with a cloud shining with the dazzling light of the LORD's presence, and they could not continue the service of worship. Church, after saying all these things, I am not saying that God is alright with us going to bars. I am not saying that you should watch whatever you want on TV or go to porn sites on the computer. Worshiping God during services and even at home should not be utter chaos. I have attended services where what was claimed to be of the Holy Spirit, was nothing but chaos. Confusion. My Bible tells me that God is not confusing. I know where that comes from, and it is not from God. Remember, Satan does not come through the front door, he sneaks in through any willing crack. And I know man's pride is part of that work. The point I want everyone to get is, it is not these things that make us right before God. The person who wants to abstain from these things should do so out of a desire to honor God, not because they desire to maintain their position with Him, and we should want to honor God in our lives and practices. Amen? Colossians 3:23 GNB Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people. Ephesians 6:6-8 GNB Do this not only when they are watching you, because you want to gain their approval; but with all your heart do what God wants, as slaves of Christ. (7) Do your work as slaves cheerfully, as though you served the Lord, and not merely human beings. (8) Remember that the Lord will reward each of us, whether slave or free, for the good work we do. Paul says this through the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 10:30-33 GNB (30) If I thank God for my food, why should anyone criticize me about food for which I give thanks?" (31) Well, whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do it all for God's glory. (32) Live in such a way as to cause no trouble either to Jews or Gentiles or to the church of God. (33) Just do as I do; I try to please everyone in all that I do, not thinking of my own good, but of the good of all, so that they might be saved. Friends, we made it through 2 chapters. Praise God. I do pray that we are all getting this. I know there has been a lot to learn and there may very well be things that some have never heard before. I do hope that you have written these scriptures down and will look at them later and often. May the Lord bless you. Prayer. Communion. Who Are We In Christ? Book Of Colossians part 10
Good morning friends and welcome to part 10 of this study, "Who Are We In Christ?" that we have been doing from the book of Colossians. We want to thank all of you who have been joining us throughout these past weeks. I pray that this year is blessed for each of you, that these studies have encouraged you, and that you have a better knowledge of what the Bible is saying to you and your life. Prayer. If everyone can open their Bibles to Colossians 2:17 and mark that page and then turn to Galatians chapter 3. Last week, we looked at Leviticus 11:1-47 and Deuteronomy chapter 14 and learned what the laws were on foods that could or could not be eaten, and some of the other things the Israelite's needed to obey. Here is the message for us today. Galatians 3:6-14 KJV Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. (7) Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. (8) And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. (9) So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. (10) For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (11) But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. (12) And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. (13) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (14) That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. The purpose of the law was to give to sin the character of transgression and prove man helpless to save himself—not to save man. Man is therefore shut up to faith in the works of Christ our Mediator, as the only avenue of escape from the penalty of a broken law, for Christ has borne the curse of the law for us and we become the children of God through Him, not by any works of our own. Praise God! Jesus tells us in Mark 11:22, "Have faith in God!" Colossians 2:17 KJV Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Apostle Paul is sharing the things that we looked at last week. The Old Testament dietary laws and calendar laws, etc. were a shadow of what was to come. The substance is found in Christ. That is, the fulfillment of the Old Testament types and representations and even those items spoken of in the law, are ultimately found to be fulfilled in Jesus. Praise Jesus. Colossians 2:18 KJV Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, Here we go with some of the beliefs that were happening. Paul speaks of how the Colossians were not to be robbed through improper false humility, the improper worship of angels, and the improper education and reliance on visions. Friends, our faith is supposed to be in God alone. We are to worship no idols. Notice that these things represent the problems that were then affecting the Colossians. Today, the issues are similar, but are also different. There are undo forms of legalism, liberal thought, and false teachings in the Christian church that rob people of their freedom in Christ. We are not under a yoke of slavery. We are free from the requirements of the law and we are free to follow Christ in truth, not in the deception of the New Age, of Cults, or some of the TV evangelists. "Oh no brother Jim, I have been watching preachers on TV. Does that mean I am doomed?" I didn't say that, but it leads me into something that I love to talk about each week. Be in the Bible. Keep your place in Colossians, but please turn to 2 Timothy chapter 2. False doctrines brings bondage. This is why Paul is warning the Colossians not to be defrauded by following false doctrines. Instead, take a stand on Christ as found in the scriptures, not subjective experiences. 2 Timothy 2:12-19 KJV If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: (13) If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. (14) Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. (15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (16) But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. (17) And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; (18) Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. (19) Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. If we were to have read verse 3, we would see that Paul's letter to Timothy referred to those following Christ as good soldiers. This is possibly where the old hymn comes from (Onward Christian Soldiers.) Anyone heard it? I loved hearing that song played in church growing up. Church, Those who have work to do for Christ must stir themselves up as soldiers to do it, and strengthen themselves for it in His power. Lean on His strength, not on our own. They must count upon suffering, even unto death, and therefore must carefully train up others in the faith to succeed them who will approve themselves good soldiers. That sounds a bit harsh, but that was the lifestyle of the true followers in Paul's time, and I believe, because of what our media is finally starting to release on what is going on in other countries and starting in the US, we are in the same boat. Amen? Christians are being persecuted. Colossians 2:19 KJV And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Can anyone share what Paul is saying here? Anyone have a guess? He is saying that what was entering into the church was a couple of things. Part of it is that they didn't have an understanding of the Word (Jesus). And not holding fast to Jesus, and that the Colossians need to understand that their strength is found in Christ and also in His body, the church. Turn please to Hebrews 10:22. As Christians, we are not to forsake the gathering together of the people of Christ in the form of the church meeting. Hebrews 10:22-25 KJV Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (23) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) (24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. This does not mean that if you don't go to church you are in heinous sin. It means that we need the strength and fellowship in the body of Christ and that we need the fellowship of other believers through whom the Spirit of God can and does work. Do we understand this, friends? One point I want to really stress is fellowship. I want to share a quick testimony and I know this lady won't mind me sharing. There was a lady who was faithfully listening in to the services for about a year and she was getting the messages. I knew that she was alone and I knew of some of the issues that she had with another church that she had been going to. Through a few conversations with her and also emails back and forth with a pastor of a church that I did some research on, the pastor welcomed this woman in and arranged for transportation to and from the church, as she does not have a car. And Praise the Lord, there is a loving family there and she is learning. The reason I did this was to get her out of the house and to hopefully get her involved in some fellowship with people. Praise God! Friends, I am going to steer off in a different direction. Different, but all to do with who we are in Christ. As many of you know, on Cross Roads Fellowship we have a group called "Cover To Cover In 2015". I encourage all who are hearing this message, and those reading this on all the sites it is posted on, to be part of this group. Why? To understand the Word of God, but also to prepare you for many false doctrines that are running a muck throughout the world in many church buildings and being aired on radios and TV programs. Please turn to 2Peter 3:16. 2 Peter 3:16-18 KJV As also in all his epistles, (Talking about Paul, letters) speaking in them of these things; (Here is the Holy Spirit through Peter speaking about Pauls Letters to the church) in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. It's not a good idea to wrestle with the scriptures. Amen? You're going to end up loosing. We see that when we wrestle with the scriptures, we do it to our own destruction. (17) Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. Let me give you an idea where I am going with this. I have been trying for weeks to get this out, and I think this will help all of us. He's talking about people who were steadfast, but when you start listening to the wrong things and you hear people arguing about scriptures, you can be removed from being settled. Now your wondering. Now you're not sure of the truth. If you're not sure, you cannot have faith. When you start hearing people arguing about this verse and fussing about this scripture, you start questioning the Bible. We need to be careful what and from whom we listen to. Church, do you get this? (18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. Please turn to 2 Timothy 2:15, and we will look at similarities. 2 Timothy 2:15-18 KJV Study to shew thyself approved unto God, (Ooops, what did it say? Study. What should we do? Study the Word of God). a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. We saw in 2 Peter, that people who were unlearned and unstable and wrestled with the scriptures. Here we see that the Word must be rightly divided. How do we rightly divide a scripture with other scriptures? Where do you find the answers to Bible questions? In the Bible, Amen? Glory to God. That sounds too simple, doesn't it? Yet people get all confused because this theologian said this and this philosopher claims this and oh this a archeologist says this. Friends, we need to be full of answers. Not guesses, but the truth. People who are unstable and unlearned are not where we need to be studying from. What do the unlearned and the unstable do? We just read it. They wrestle with scriptures and it leads them to their own destruction. When we listen to this nonsense and we were stable and steadfast, we become like them. Now you will be wavering and wondering. (16) But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. (What are you to do with profane and vain babblings? Shun them? Whens the last time you shunned them? I don't hear anything from you church. That is a long time.) (17) And their word will eat as doth a canker: (Friends, catch this. These false doctrines will start eating you like a cancer. Words will get inside of you and eat at you like a cancer. Teachings that are wrong and some that bring on strife.) (17) And their word will eat as doth a canker: whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; (18) Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Friends, do we see this? Here we see two who were teaching a false gospel. A gospel saying that other than what yours and my Bibles say. Amen? Paul is saying what these two were teaching was like a canker (a cancer) and it was overthrowing people's faith. Friends, this is saying that they had faith, until they heard these teachings that the end times had already happened. I can think of several cults that teach a false doctrine, and people are clinging to it. Hymenaeus and Philetus were unlearned and unstable, and because there were those who were of faith and they heard these teachings and clung to them, they began to be unwavering in their faith and it was leading them to destruction. Church, these are not my words, we just read them. Overthrowing their faith. "Brother Jim, why are you sharing all this with us?" Because my friends, it's happening all over the world. Man's dumb religion. You've heard me say over and over to be in the Word of God. Daily! Friends, I don't want any of us, me included, to be ignorant of God's Word for our lives. It's medicine to our soul. I am closing now, but I want you to know this. There were many names for God in the Old Testament. God is still all of these.
We love you and want to prepare you for the battle that is ahead of us. Prayer. Communion. |
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