Hello friends and family and thank you for joining us live here at our home, live on Paltalk, or those reading or listening on all the sites that I share these sermons on. Praise the God of the most High! I need to share how blessed I was at the amount of people last week that tuned in to our room here on Paltalk and stayed while I shared the message. There were many who participated after the message and the fellowship was great.
For those joining us for the first time, welcome. We have been doing a study called "Who Are We In Christ?" and basing it from the book of Colossians. For those who want to read the message from this series, you can visit our website jandlministries.weebly.com to view all the messages of this series and all the others. If you open your Bibles to Colossians and mark your place at chapter 4, then turn to Matthew 28, and we will read 16-20. Friends, where I feel led is to teach you from God's Word to better your lives with an understanding of what God wants all of us to know and to raise some of you up to be disciples. That is part of the great commission. Matthew 28:16-20 KJV Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. (17) And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. (18) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. What a commandment brought before you and me, and also powerful promises. Yet the majority sit comfortably. I ask you my friends, without raising your hands, how many of you can honestly say that you give a hundred percent for God? How many can honestly say that they daily share their faith with others in this lost world? Even to those who do not know Christ in your home, place of business or maybe school? I have heard from some that are in their 80's share that they had never heard the salvation message. I am talking about here in the US. Friends, that tells me that people have not been in their Bibles, OR they don't care about the their friends and family. "Oh boy, brother Jim is going to teach a hard message". My dear friends, I love you and I care about you. I care about all mankind, but there is only so much of me and the few who do have compassion for others to hear the gospel message. If it means bringing out strong verses to light a fire under you, then that is what I need to do. Glory to God! I want to bring you each up to the Gospel truths so that you are rock solid in your faith. Glory to Jesus. No more wavering. No more stumbling around on what you believe. "What do you mean by that, brother Jim?" What I mean by that is there is a message being taught that it is okay to sin. Not in my Bible. Some have no idea how they feel about abortion. Is it right or not? The average of those who claim to be Christians are buying into the concept that gay marriage is okay for today's time. The world is changing. Well, if that spoke to you my friends, you need to start digging into your Bibles. God is the same today as He was when He said that sexual sin is an abomination. If He said it was then, it still is today. My Lord and Savior is not a respecter of persons. Okay, this introduction to this sermon is sure to bring me hate mail, but you know what, we need to cling to His truths. My friends, He is coming back for His spotless church. Will we mess up? Oh yea. But He is quick to forgive us when we repent. That doesn't mean laugh it off and continuing to wallow around in the muck, but to have a renewed mind. Colossians 4:1 KJV Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. If you joined us last week, we see that Apostle Paul is continuing from chapter 3 which ended with God being a fair and impartial judge and how we are to work at our jobs with honesty and integrity. I asked last week if we were that way in our work place. To be honest, when I worked at a woolen mill, I remember it was a wake-up call for me. Before I graduated from High school, I had worked on dairy farms. Though I worked for someone else, I was on my own most of the time and had good work ethics. There was a short period, before I joined the army, where I worked at a woolen mill, and what a change that was for me. I was in maintenance and the cheating of hours, the stealing of materials, the language and everything else blew my mind. Thankfully I was able to transfer to the trucking division, and soon I was driving over the road cross country and was more or less on my own again. What I want you to think about is, do we stay clear from the evil that happens in the work place? Are we ones who cheat on the time clock adding more time that we didn't actually work? What about taking home things that don't belong to us? Flirting with others behind our spouse's back? God's intentions for us is to be set apart. Not to be like those in the world. There are times that we may have to befriend those who play these dangerous games. We see in this verse that Paul turns his attention briefly to masters, employers, and tells them to treat those under their charge fairly because they too have a Master in heaven, the ultimate and impartial Judge, Who treats them fairly. Amen? Colossians 4:2 KJV Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving. Church, we see Paul is ending this epistle and repeating some things. In this verse we saw him use a similar part of the beginning of this series in chapter 1. What he is saying is to continue steadfastly, to adhere to, to be devoted to. Paul urges us to be steadfast and continuous in our prayers. We're not to slack in this practice. Back a year or so ago, I led a study on prayer and someone asked how often we should pray and for how long. I don't think there is any time limit or how many times a day, but the Scriptures are full of the accounts of God and the people praying in all circumstances and at all times of the day and night. Sometimes fasting was included like we are doing on Cross Roads Fellowship. I can't tell you how many times a day that I pray. It depends. There are days that it seems like I log onto a website and hundreds come with their requests. The thing for me is to talk to God throughout the day. It doesn't mean you have to be praying on your face all day long, or even each time you pray. When you start to get in tune with Christ, you will know. Church, we are to keep alert in prayer and we must be watchful that we do not pay too much attention to the world and thereby neglect this privilege and necessity. We should be thankful in our prayers and that helps us to always puts us in a proper attitude before God because it reminds us of what He has done for us in Christ. Praise Jesus! Colossians 4:3 KJV Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds. Here we see that Paul is asking the church Colossee to pray for him. There was a time I wondered why Paul, the writer of 2/3 of the New Testament, the mighty apostle would request prayers from other believers. Anyone else ever wonder the same thing? I mean, doesn't his apostleship mean that his requests before God carry more weight? Anyone? Turn if you will to Proverbs 28:9. I want to take this time to look at a few verses, and I hope they speak to each of us. We have to remember that Paul was human. The same temptations that we face, he faced. Paul was not perfect. Have you been waiting and waiting for a prayer to be answered and it seems like it is floating around in limbo somewhere? There may be several reasons why. I am not saying this next verse is the reason, but I do think that we should look at it. Proverbs 28:9 KJV He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. Now, very soon I want to look at the law and see if we are still to fall under the law, but not today. That is a study of its own. Turn to James 1:6, please. Suppose Paul had any doubt? Maybe. James 1:6 KJV But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. What about pride? Let's look at Luke 18:11- 14. Here Jesus was talking about pride. There was a time He was speaking to me, also, as I was very prideful. Luke 18:11-14 KJV The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. (12) I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. (13) And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. (14) I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased (meaning to behave in a way as to belittle or degrade (someone).) ; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Let's go back to James and chapter 4:3. and also verse 4. Let's see if selfishness might hinder prayers. This verse we are about to look at I hear so often taken out of context. James 4:3-4 KJV Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (4) Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. I hear so often people running around saying you have not because you ask not. We just read it. Is that what verse 3 said? Absolutely not. This my friend is why we need to read our Bibles. A young person just starting out in their faith walk might hear "You have not because you ask not," could go on through life asking and asking and nothing happening because their heart was not right. It says because you ask amiss,that that ye may consume it upon your lusts. People are taking part of a verse and taking it totally out of context. Church, we need to get this. Another way of saying it is that the one praying was praying with wrong motives. Is what they are praying for lining up with God's Word? Will it bring honor and glory to God, or self? Church, get this. When you pray for things, you don't get them because you want them for the wrong reason - for your own pleasure. Do you suppose it may be time to check our hearts and maybe how and why we are praying? Remember friends, if it seems like there is a finger pointing to you, there are the rest pointing back at me. I know people who put some pastors so high on a pedestal. Some of the preachers on TV and radio people worship like they are God. Friends, it is important for you to know, they are no more influential with God than you. For we are all sinners saved by grace and all our prayers go through Christ. Amen. Some of those TV evangelists are no more Christian than Hitler was. Please turn to Romans 10:17. Let's look at a verse that those following this ministry probably know by heart. Paul knew the value of prayer and he requests that the Colossian's pray that God would open the door for him to be able to preach and teach the word of truth. Paul's heart is to preach the word of truth so that by it, people would hear, believe, and be saved from the righteous judgment of God. Friends, this is the prayer request that I ask you to pray for J and L Ministries. That we reach the lost. That we teach and make disciples for God's glory. That we can lay hands on the sick and they be healed. That we can support those who are in need. That through this ministry and other outreaches - Cross Roads Fellowship, that there is a safe place for people from all around the world to come and praise and worship Jesus and learn, pray, and to have fellowship without the fear of someone coming against them. Praise God. And that this ministry's motives be always pure. Romans 10:17 KJV So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Friends, we will look at one more verse from Colossians and I will close. Colossians 4:4 KJV That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Wow, wow, wow. If only every preacher got this. Paul desires to speak with the truth and wisdom of God, not from his own wisdom. Only God is the true source of all wisdom and Paul desires that through prayer he might know the proper way to speak to those with whom he is imprisoned, both guards and fellow inmates. Praise God. Thank You Holy Spirit for speaking through this man, Paul. Lord, I pray that for me also. That I may teach only Words from You. Lord, that the words I speak would be convicting, but in love. Lord, I pray that lives would change and a hunger for You and Your ways would be more in each of them. In Jesus' name. Amen. Glory to God. So I ask you my friends. From this message today, would you be more responsible in your work place? To work not just for money and the world, but as if you were working for Jesus? Those who might be a boss, would you be willing to treat employees with more respect and not just as a number? Not robbing them of things they have earned? Might our prayers be with the right heart, not just to gain for ourselves? There were many things to take in today. Things that I know many struggle with on a daily basis. I know a Friend that can help each one of us. You and me, but we need to lay some things at His feet. Brother Jim, I have heard that so many times but my life never changes. My prayers are never heard. My question to you is, were you sincere? Did you really surrender that problem that bugs you? Many times, and me included, we only give part of it. We think we are ridding ourselves of a problem. We think we gave it all to Jesus, but then as soon as the right opportunity comes, we take it back. Same as forgiveness. We say we forgive, but then when we hear that person or person's name, we get all panicky and we bring those same things back up again. Lots to think about this week and I hope that each of you may ask God today to reveal those things that need to change. We love you and want to thank each of you for joining today. I will open this room for questions and comments for the next half hour. May the Lord bless you.
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Hello friends and family and thank you for joining us here for this week's message "Who Are We in Christ?" studying from the book of Colossians. We thank you for those joining us live on Paltalk, for those in our home and also those who read these notes each week on the several websites that I have continually shared them on.
Last week, we were in Colossians 3 and reading from verses 18 and 19, looking at husbands and wives and it got a bit quiet. I do hope that there were some key points that will stick with all who attended and that they might help you in your family and in your walk with God. Praise the Lord! Please turn to Colossians 3:20.Today we will continue in our study and still looking into family, but this time we will look into parents and the relationships that God desires for children and parents. Colossians 3:20 KJV Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Do you suppose the youth are pleasing God? From what I see around this community and see on TV and what the kids watch on TV and their computers, I know God is not pleased. Oops, probably most of them just tuned me out. Kids, many adults tune me out when I mention things from the Bible that need to change in our lives. My question is, do you want to live like this dying world and become part of it, or do we want to live our lives for Christ and because our faith is in Him and we surrender all the things that once kept us in bondage and we don't go back to them, now God will do great and mighty things in our lives. Glory to God. Parents and children, God desires that the home be ordered and that children submit to the teaching and discipline of their parents. When we look at what the Bible says about parenting and how the child is supposed to act, it sure doesn't look like what is happening in the world today. Even when I was a child, things were not like they should have been. Even some adults are not obeying their parents. Keep your place in Colossians, but let's look at the 10 Commandments on Children in Exodus 20, verse 12. God has given parents the position of raising children for the Lord. Exodus 20:12 KJV Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. This is a strong, important verse for us to get a understanding of. One, it is a commandment from our Creator. Praise God. Secondly, we all want a healthy, long life, Amen? Turn ahead a chapter and let's look at another verse in Exodus. Verse 21:17 Exodus 21:17 KJV And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death. Oops, should we be in obedience? Does this mean a physical death? Not necessarily, but a separation from God. Do we understand this, church? I'm not making this stuff up as we go along. It is why I want you to see it for yourselves, from the Word of God. Just like the lesson we did last week, talking about husbands and wives, you can look at any translation and it is going to be, or should I say should be basically the same. Please if you will, turn to Luke 2:51. Jesus, who came from Heaven is our example. Amen? Let's look to see if He was obedient to His earthly dad Joseph who raised Him, and His mother Mary. Just a quick update on what is going on before we read this passage. When Jesus was 12 years old, Mary and Joseph brought Him to Jerusalem during the feast of Passover. Somehow, Mary and Joseph left without Jesus to head back home. They turned around, and when they came back to Jerusalem they found Him in the temple talking to (KJV says doctors. other translations say teachers. Some say Rabbis). The important thing to get out of this is that He was in the midst of important people. Let's read. Luke 2:47-52 KJV And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. (48) And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. (49) And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? (50) And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. (51) And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. (52) And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. What I want us to get here is that from His childhood days He showed forth some of the rays of His glory in the divine wisdom which He manifested. Jesus came to do the will of the Father. It was the will of the Father that the Son be subject to His parents. Likewise, it is the will of the Father that children be subject to the parents in obedience. It pleases God when children do this. Friends, do we get this? Okay dads, your turn. You're in the hot seat now. Moms? Yes, listen up. Back to Colossians and we will pick up on verse 21. Colossians 3:21 KJV Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Colossians 3:21 AMP Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or fret your children [do not be hard on them or harass them], lest they become discouraged and sullen and morose and feel inferior and frustrated. [Do not break their spirit.] So, brother Jim, you are saying that I should let my child get away with anything he or she wants? Of course not. Leanna and I had disagreements on this topic. I was brought up where the children helped do chores. We kept our rooms clean and other household tasks. I didn't watch TV much, because we had a small farm and I also bought a horse that I showed and needed to be taken care of. I also started mowing lawns at a young age and took on many other jobs growing up. Friends, I guess what we all need to get an understanding of, is God's ways were intended to be passed down through the centuries from family to family. Just like we see in many chapters of the Old Testament, there were those Kings that did wrong in the eyes of God. Then there would be a king that found scripture and meditated on it and soon the kingdom was changed and that pleased God. We see that throughout the history of the US. There is the old phrase. "A family that prays together, stays together". I wonder how many families listening to my voice, or reading this at another time pray together as a family? I wonder how many families read the Word of God. That, my dear friends, is how you find the will of God for your life and for the stability of your family. Getting back to verse 21. We saw last week that the husband is in charge of the home. As fathers are in charge of the home, and children are to obey the parents, it is easy for fathers to misuse their position and exasperate their children. It means to excite, to provoke. Fathers are not to provoke or frustrate their children because a father can easily destroy the heart of his child by being too strong, too harsh, and withholding the proper balance of love and encouragement that children need. Church, understanding God's Word will help immensely on both of these verses we have looked at. To do that, you have to get in it. For those with younger children, read to them. Learn together. Pray together as a family. Amen? Colossians 3:22 KJV Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God. Colossians 3:22 AMP Servants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not only when their eyes are on you as pleasers of men, but in simplicity of purpose [with all your heart] because of your reverence for the Lord and as a sincere expression of your devotion to Him. This verse and the next one we will read, Apostle Paul kind of repeats himself as we will see. What does this verse say to you? I think we are being taught holiness. To me when I read this verse, Paul was talking to the slaves of the day to likewise obey their masters with sincere hearts. I think about slavery as an undesirable situation and I believe Paul's goal was not open rebellion, but harmony within society. Of course, eventually society would be changed from within as all people obeying Christ's example and teaching. Slavery back then was not like it was here in the United States 200 years ago. Slavery was often considered a vocation that people voluntarily entered into. Here in America, we are led to believe that there is no slavery today. This verse still we should keep as we work for our employers. Christians are to work properly with willing submission, obeying their bosses. They are to do their work with their eyes on Christ as if they were serving Jesus. They are not to misuse their time or the resources provided to them. I hope this is speaking to hundreds who rob their workplace by cheating of hours, stealing materials, lying and cheating. That isn't even getting into gossip, envy and causing strife. Colossians 3:23 KJV And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. Paul is showing us that our eyes should always be on the Lord. If we believe that Jesus is in our hearts and are aware of all of our actions and what comes out of our mouths, and if we further believe that we have been redeemed from sinfulness by the loving sacrifice of Christ, then we should realize that we are set free from selfish desires and ungodly practices. Praise the Lord. This is why Paul is telling us to work for the Lord Jesus rather than men. What employer would not be delighted to have employees who work with honesty, integrity, and fervent effort? Amen someone? The natural outcome is that the employee would be recognized and blessed. Colossians 3:24-25 KJV Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (25) But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. Friends, consider this. If we are working for the Lord Jesus, even in our employment, our reward will be from the Lord as well as our blessings. Church, we have to always remember that God is a fair and impartial judge. He does not alter His judgment times of who a person is or what position he holds. Since He knows all things, those who do evil will be judged fairly. Amen? I think this is what people miss out on. God is a Just God. In closing, I do hope these studies are helping each of you. I hope that the Holy Spirit is showing you things that need to be improved in your walk with the Lord and that you realize that and let Him change you. Good morning friends and family. I am so excited to share this message today. I am also excited to steer away from Skype, which for the past few months has been an issue with dropped calls, and move to a platform that seems to be more stable. It also is a time that I can work on getting these messages shared with you, my friends involved with us. Praise the Lord. I am in high hopes of having the messages uploaded to u-tube, and that opens the door for thousands to be able to hear these messages. Halleluiah!
For those who may be hearing this or reading it, and you want to join in, we are using Paltalk, and you can find the link by going to jandlministries.weebly.com and there will be a link to this page on the home page. For those who are new, we have been in a study called "Who Are We In Christ." We have been going through the book of Colossians. To read earlier sermons, please go to jandlministries.weebly.com and look for the tab at the top called Sermon notes and you will see this whole series and other teachings we have done in the last couple years. Today we will begin lesson 15, starting in Colossians 3:18, so please turn to that chapter and verse. This is also a great time to have new people join in with us, as we will be looking into the family. Who are you in Christ with your spouse? Who are you in Christ with your children and your parents? For those listening online, I can see you rolling your eyes and sliding down your chair. Don't tune me out, because marriage and family is very important in God's eyes. Okay, because I am polite, ladies first. I hear laughter from the men and shrieks from the women. Don't shoot me girls, I am just the messenger. We are going to have fun this morning. Praise Jesus! Colossians 3:18 KJV Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Guys, this does not mean they are slaves. Keep your place here and please turn to Ephesians 5: 21. We are going to be bouncing back and forth from these two passages. Ephesians 5:21-24 ESV submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. (22) Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. (23) For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. (24) Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Leanna, would you please read the rest of this passage? Ephesians 5:25-33 ESV Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, (26) that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, (27) so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. (28) In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. (29) For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, (30) because we are members of his body. (31) "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." (32) This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. (33) However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. As members of the family of God, it is our duty to put on the family likeness by walking as obedient children, and in full yieldedness to the Holy Spirit. Only as we are flexible in His hands may we be victorious in our walk, sincere in our worship or successful in our work. Church, as we have read, and as we continue to read these verses, these are God's words. You can look at any translation, and I have about 40 of them, and the overall picture is not going to change. I want you to think about when you and your spouse first started dating. There was something there that sparked that relationship. Right? Fellowship? Fellowship is such a big part in any relationship. Wives, you started talking to one another. Yes? Men? You both started doing things together? Maybe the first date might have been getting together for lunch or dinner. Maybe a walk in the park or a drive. For Leanna and I, our first date was at a local race track. The point that I am trying to get across is you did things and got to know each other, TOGETHER. You know, you can get all kinds of ideas from all kinds of people with titles in front of their names and I think you will find, they have not been married, or their marriage is in trouble. Who invented marriage? God. So where do you think you're going to find out about marriage? There are so many verses that you can find in the Bible concerning to marriage, but you have to search for them, and when you find these verses, it is now time to be doers of what we read. Amen? What would your guess be as to what the Webster's dictionary's definition of marriage might be? Ready for this? MARRIAGE : the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law. Okay, part 2 just makes me want to vomit. (2) : the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage. Let's turn to Genesis 2:21. Let's look at the very first marriage. Genesis 2:21-24 KJV And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; (22) And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. (23) And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. (24) Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. So we see God made man, and then woman was made from man and they were husband and wife. So, tell me friends, why are many denominations teaching that it's okay for Tom to wed Jack, or Sally Sue and Katy to get married? And worse than that, church leaders performing marriages of same sex couples. I purposely gave up my license to be a Notary, because no way was I going to be forced to perform these acts which the Bible says in many places that it's an abomination. I am going to go on a tangent for a few minutes, but church we need to understand this. What we read in the Bible, we need to take seriously. 2 Corinthians 4:1-4 KJV (1) Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; (2) But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. (3) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: (4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. So someone might be thinking, "What in the world does this passage have to do with marriage?" It has everything to do with our marriage, family and ourselves. Friends, for century after century, stuff has been changing in what is being taught in churches. Look how many denominations there are. Look how many splits there are of different denominations. For example, there are over 200 types of Baptist churches. Yet, apostle Paul said, "I wish there be no division among you. That you all speak the same thing." Now, does it happen within families too? I think so. Especially within families who might not be grounded in the Word of God. "I like this part of the Bible, but this part doesn't fit my lifestyle." Think about it friends. Colossians 3:18 KJV Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Now, there may be some ladies listening, or reading this thinking, "No way. I'm not doing it. You don't know my man." What did we just read? We read the same in Ephesians 5:22. Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. (23) For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church. Men and women are made up so differently and when God made us, there was a reason He did that. Women, most women, are tender, emotional people. Men, again most men, are strong and some of us men are numb to women's sensitivities. (Woman, what you crying for?) Husbands, you know what I am talking about? You know what guys? That's how God made them. Friends, church goers have been cutting brothers and sisters to pieces with the Word. Some women cut their husbands up with the word and husbands are doing the same to their wives. So I ask you to put your swords away. So how should women submit to their husband? I am going to give a short example. Let's think of Sarai and Abram. God had promised them children. Look at the stars in the sky and that will be the children you will have. So Sarai, gives her handmaid to Abram. Of course he didn't refuse. But then what happens? Tempers fly between the two women and Abram is stuck in the middle. Husbands and wives, do we get into these messes? We think we're doing things that seem like it is of God, but God never said to do it. They usually flop, don't they? We need to be in sync with God. What I want us to notice is Sarai's pride got her into trouble. She didn't want to be looked down on because Abram had no children. This mighty man of God. Friends, I can't stress this enough, please, please, please, if you are not in your Bibles daily, be there. Even if it is just a chapter a day. Couples, want to grow in faith together? Read together. Discuss what you have read. For those couples who are struggling in their marriage, I believe it will get you back on track. And pray together. Praise God. Put Christ first in all things. Even before your spouse. Most men don't want to hear that, but if you want to have a more meaningful marriage, a more meaningful relationship with God, then this must be done. Glory. I said family is important to God. Couples, God is not the author of confusion. Amen? I want you to think about this. Subjection deals with order so that chaos is not the result of everyone trying to be a leader. You cannot have two heads in the family. It doesn't work. God gave Adam a help mate. Now does that mean a wife can't share her ideas? Absolutely not true. I ask Leanna often her opinion. She is gifted in so many areas that I am not. Turn if you will to Galatians 4:4. Subjection does not mean inferiority. Jesus Himself was made under the law. Galatians 4:4 KJV But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. Hebrews 2:9 KJV But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Jesus said in John 14:28 KJV Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane cried out in Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. Does this mean that Jesus, who is subject to the will of the Father, was inferior to Him? Not at all. Subjection does not mean being a slave. Submission does not mean being immoral...which is why Paul says "as is fitting in the Lord." If a husband wants his wife to do something sinful, she is not to submit. I am sure Paul was very aware that there would be husbands who would misuse their position of authority. We see it happening every day. Okay guys, your turn. Colossians 3:19 KJV Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Someone might be thinking, "I love my wife. Of course I love her, well when she sees things my way." No my friend, that is not how it works. It needs to be give and take and Leanna and I have and are still learning it. Love is sacrificial and should be Christ centered. Church, listen up and get this. Jesus, Who is God in flesh, had all power and authority. Amen? He could have ordered the universe out of existence. Instead of going through being ripped to pieces and nailed to an old rugged cross, He could have called upon the angels and said, "Enough of this. I am not going to let prophecy come to pass." But no church, how did He use His authority? He taught. He healed, and friends He died for you and He died for me. His bride. So men, the husband is to use his authority in a serving and edifying way. Girls shout Halleluiah. We read Ephesians 5:28 earlier, but let's turn there again. Ephesians 5:28-30 KJV So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. (29) For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: (30) For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. To not be embittered against them means to not be rude, ill tempered, or harsh. The husband is to be compassionate, supportive, a godly leader, a good provider, and a man to whom his wife would be glad to submit. One more passage and we will close today's service. Please turn to 1 Peter 3:7. Friends, we need to get an understanding of these verses and make them part of our lives if we are to stay married. How far the church has walked away from God's Word, when you see that among Christians, we are neck to neck with non-believers when it comes to divorce. When you have so-called Christians that come up to you and ask how they should vote on gay rights and they don't really know how they feel about whether or not they are okay with abortion or not. How very, very sad. Sad when you hear about pastors beating their wives and children, especially when they supposedly know the Word and are supposed to be good examples to the flock they lead. 1 Peter 3:7 KJV Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. That verse may very well explain why a large part of the churches prayers are still floating around somewhere. Suppose? We as Christians should gladly submit to the loving, nurturing, and kind direction of Christ. Husbands are to reflect Jesus in that way so wives would want to submit to them as they willingly do to Christ. Friends, I am hoping that the scriptures that we looked at today spoke to all those who are in a hurting relationship. There are wives who rebel to subjection. There are men who don't understand what the Bibles says about women being submissive to their husbands and have twisted that verse to their liking. Men love your wives as Christ loves the church. Again, that scripture has been twisted, and used in a non-loving, nurturing way. I would highly recommend taking these two verses we looked at today and once a week look at them and study them and pray about them, so you my friends, get it. Thank you for joining us today. I would ask you all to be in prayer for this ministry as we are growing and Leanna and I want only to please Christ, Who is our Foundation and our Guide. We love you all. God bless. Good morning friends and family and welcome to part 14 of this series we have been doing from the book of Colossians called: Who Are We In Christ?
I have some exciting news to share with those who have been joining us on Skype and for those who take the time to read these sermon notes on a weekly basis from the many sites I share on. God willing, we will be sharing these sermons live on Pal Talk, starting next Sunday, February 8, 2015. I can't give you the particulars right now, but keep an eye on the main page of the J and L Ministries site. http://jandlministries.weebly.com/ Also on either of the Cross Roads Fellowship sites. http://4himalone.ning.com/ or http://4himalone2.ning.com/ I am also in hopes to add videos on U-tube of these messages, so that you can listen to them and view whatever discussion there might be. Glory be to God! It opens these sermons to a whole new world. Leanna and I ask that you please, please be in prayer. Prayer. Please turn to Colossians 3:10 and while you are turning to that verse, I want you to think about who are you in Christ. You are His possession, His child, His workmanship, His friend, His temple and His vessel. These are important for us to know. You are a co-laborer and His witness. You are a His soldier, ambassador, His building, His chosen, His beloved. Act like it! You are His precious jewel and His heritage. Because of our Lord Jesus Christ, you, my friends have been redeemed by His precious blood, set free from sin. Set free from Satan. Set free from the kingdom of darkness. You have been chosen before the foundations of the world and predestined to be like Jesus. Glory to God. Church, you have been forgiven of your trespasses, washed in His blood, given a sound mind, given the Holy Spirit, been adopted into God's family. Give God praise. Halleluiah! Friends, you have been justified freely by His grace, been given all things pertaining to life, been given great and precious promises. Glory to God! Catch this church, you have been given authority over the enemy. You have access to God and have been given wisdom for free. In Christ you are complete, totally in Him, free forever from sin's power, sanctified, fit for the Master's use and loved eternally. You are eternally kept in the palm of His hand, kept from falling, kept by His very power, and not condemned. You are one with Him, on your way to heaven, quickened by His mighty power seated in heavenly places. Am I preaching it? You are the head and not the tail, the light in darkness, a candle in a dark place, you are a city set on a hill, you are the salt of the earth, you are His sheep and a citizen in heaven, hidden in Christ in God. Glory!!!!! You are protected from the evil one and kept by the power of God. You are secure in Christ, set on a rock, more than a conqueror, and you are born again. You are a victor, healed by His stripes, covered by His blood, sheltered by His wing and hidden in His secret place. Church, praise Jesus!! Come on, give Him praise. In Jesus, you have access to the Father, a home in heaven, you have all things in Christ, a living hope, an anchor to your soul, a hope sure and steadfast, authority to tread on serpents, have power to witness and the tongue of the learned. You have the mind of Christ and the boldness and access. You have peace with God and faith like a mustard seed. Is the Holy Spirit talking to anyone? In Christ you can do all things, find mercy, come boldly to His throne, quench the fiery darts from the enemy, declare liberty to the captives, pray always, defeat and overcome the enemy. Thank you Jesus. You, in Christ are royalty of God, and rooted and grounded in Him. Friends, these words are not mine, but from passages in God's Word. When we take the time to open it and read and study from God's Word, we start speaking these promises out. They are not just head knowledge but sealed in our hearts. I pray these things spoke to your spirit and that each of us understand just who we are in Christ and Who He is in us. Praise God. Today I think we will finish up with chapter 3, but there are some key factors I want us to look at in the reaming part of chapter 3. For us, a true believer, we are united with Christ in a union which can never be broken. Catch that? Because of what Christ did for you and me by virtue of that union, we are justified, sanctified and yet to be glorified. Because of what Christ did. We are hid with Christ in God. Lets' get started with Colossians 3:11. Colossians 3:11 KJV Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. I had to look up who the Scythians were, as I had never heard of them before and this is the only verse in the Bible where we can find them mentioned as this name. For those who like history, or just want to add to your knowledge, look them up sometime. What Paul is saying is, when we are saved, when we are born again, when we are redeemed, we are one in Christ. We just saw that in my opening. What the Bible is saying is there is no class level or distinction in redemption. God wishes no man perish. Doesn't make any difference in your skin color as some cults will argue. Whether a man is circumcised or not. That in itself could be a whole study. Man or woman, all can be saved if they come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, confess they are a sinner and repent from those sins. Praise Jesus. Church, do we understand this? Colossians 3:12 KJV Put on therefore, as the elect (some Bible versions say chosen) of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; I want to look at some other verses that say about the same thing. You don't have to turn to them, but please mark them down so that you can see later for yourselves. Ephesians 1:4-7 KJV According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (5) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (6) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (7) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 2 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV (13) But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Church, very rarely do you hear me teach on healing, or even get into prosperity. Do I believe in these things? Absolutely. I do believe that God wants us whole. I do believe that He wants us to prosper, but I believe our hearts need to be right. It is why I feel led to teach on heart issues. When we look at Colossians 3 :12, what is Paul speaking about? Heart issues. It is our hearts, the deepest part of what we are that Paul speaks when he says to adopt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Amen? The same things that Jesus spoke of. Compassion. Col 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Do we hear this church? I am being spoken to right now as I am absolutely sure some of you are too. Thank You, Jesus! If we are compassionate and kind to one another, we will also be forgiving to each other. Mutual forgiveness leads to health in the church. This is a strong reminder to us that we are to be generous and forgiving just as Christ has been generous and forgiving toward us. We could spend all day on just this one verse. Colossians 3:14 KJV And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. OK, now comes the meat of this message, and I'm not sure if we will get through this chapter today, but that's okay, because some need to hear this. Glory to God? With all the things that we have looked at in this chapter and studied, most importantly we are to love. Let's look at John 3:16. We have all heard this verse over and over, but do we let it sink in? John 3:16 KJV For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. It was the love of God that sent the Son. It is the nature of love to sacrifice for another. John 15:12-13 KJV This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. (13) Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. So I ask you, do you love the man that just insulted you because you might be different? Do you love that family member that just attacked you because of your faith? What about that neighbor that just plowed snow in the middle of the road and now you have to go out for the 3rd time today to clean the mess that it caused in your driveway? That was meant for me, and yes I do. What about that landlord that is doing everything to make your move miserable and going against your rental agreement? Am I speaking to anyone? Now, one more question and we will move on and this is a big one. We just read " Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Jesus had so much love and compassion for you and me, that He willingly died from a made-up, nonsense trial that the religious leaders set up. If you my friend were put in a position where you had to choose death because you chose to continue to believe in Christ and follow His ways, or live and denounce Him. Sounds awful, doesn't it? I tell you the truth, hundreds of families every day are seeing their moms, dads, and children brutally killed because of their faith in Jesus. Think about that. Every day this is happening around the world. If we love one another, we fulfill the law of God and we will also, catch this friends, be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, patient with one another, and self-sacrificing. Philippians 2:3-5 KJV Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. (4) Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. (5) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Church, when we are loving to one another, we will have unity. When we consider others more important than ourselves, when we are willing to sacrifice ourselves for others, we glorify God. This helps to bring unity, compassion and patience with one another in the body of Christ. Think about this. What do you suppose is the main reason we have so much division of the body of Christ? Maybe because we have not properly put on love? Colossians 3:15 KJV And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Here we go friends. I love this verse. If we are living as Paul is teaching, considering ourselves dead to sin, looking forward to the hope of the full redemption of our bodies upon the return of Christ, putting aside malice, turning from sinfulness, and putting on love, then we will have the peace of God living in us. Praise God! It is a natural result of living in the will of God. Jesus said in John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives Because we are redeemed, chosen of God, we are called to be in the one body of Christ. Colossians 3:16 KJV Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Here we go, friends. This isn't brother Jim saying to be in the Word of God. Well, I read it, but Paul telling the church of Colosse and you and me, being led by the Holy Spirit. I believe that Paul is referring to what Jesus taught in the Gospels, but also the words He speaks through His apostles. Amen? I believe, because I have seen it happen in others' lives and my own, that when we are in His Word, we start speaking things of the Bible. We start praising Jesus and our whole demeanor changes. Glory to God. Also notice that thankfulness is expressed. It comes from the heart where God dwells and where the peace of God rules. Praise Jesus! One more verse and we will finish up. This verse I think most forget about as quickly as we read it. Colossians 3:17 KJV And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. All that you do, whether it be work, thought, speech, marriage, friendships, school, shopping parenting, preaching, recreation, and the list can go on and on. EVERYTHING you do, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. This means that you do it as a work, as a ministry that has been given to you by God. It means you do it with honor before God and responsibility before man. Amen? Be thankful to God the Father through Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 KJV For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (6) Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Church, we must be mindful that God is always with us and sees and hears all that we think, do and say. He is not just in one location where He can only hear, or see this place and then scurries over to this next place to catch what is happening there and so on and so on. Amen? Friends, we didn't get as far as I thought, but that is okay. We looked at some important scriptures and some of those scriptures led to other scriptures. That is what studying the Bible is all about. I pray that someone got this message and it changes your life. Prayer. Communion. |
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