Warfare & Will Pt. 1 ‘Overview’

Spiritual Warfare IS seeking God’s will

Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

  • We cannot discover God’s will living in conformance to the pattern of this world

1st Thessalonians 4:1-3a

…We instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. It is God’s will that you should be sanctified…

  • We have to be sanctified in order to live by His will

Our Enemy

John 8:44b
…the devil… He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

  • He is ‘distorted truth’ himself; he is the opposite of ‘The Truth’

Ephesians 2:2b

…the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

  • Controls and coordinates demonic activity

1st Peter 5:8

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

  • He plays dirty and he plays for keeps (always active)

Zachariah 3:1

Then the angel showed me Jeshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. The Accuser, Satan, was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Jeshua.

  • He plays to our emotional vulnerabilities

2 Corinthians 11:14

But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

  • Creating the deception of evil being made to appear as good

Matthew 4:1

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.

  • Persistent tempter; he even tried to tempt Christ!

The Battlefield: Our Minds

2nd Corinthians 11:3-4

But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.

  • Our desire to ‘Fit In’ or ‘Be Accepted’ makes us vunerable

1 Corinthians 15:33-34

Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don’t know God at all.

  • The influences we surround ourselves with can subtly lead us astray

Galatians 1:6b-7

You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.

  • We have to know the ‘Real Thing’ so we can’t be fooled

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

  • Seeking God’s will from a place of ‘Spiritual Pride’ is a losing battle

The Self / Flesh

Romans 8:5-8

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

  • Living by ‘The Flesh’ will block attempts to discover God’s will

Galatians 5:16-17

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

  • The conflict is a given; are you going to compete or quit?

Ephesians 4:22-24

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

  • Conformity to God’s will requires change; there will be opposition to that

Romans 13:14

Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

  • What gets your priority? What captures your time, emotions & resources?

Prayer & Warfare (Prayer Service My 20th)

Ephesians 6:18

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

  • Diversity, Alertness & Persistence

Ephesians 1:19-20

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

  • God’s power is on our side in the battle; learn how to participate in that power

Daniel 10:12-14

“Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer”.

  • Humility and assent to God’s Will through a deep prayer relationship WORKS!

Matthew 6:16

“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting.

  • Prayer is not for show, it’s too important to let any pride into it

Warfare Prayer: ‘Spiritual Warfare is A Family Business’

OUR Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give US today the food we need, and forgive US our sins, as WE have forgiven those who sin against US. And don’t let US yield to temptation, but rescue US from the evil one.

Application Questions:

In your day to day life how do you connect seeking God’s will and Spiritual Warfare?

How would you describe Satan / The Devil, in three sentences based on Scripture?

What strategies do you use regularly to keep from being deceived and corrupted?

What are the forces you can identify that move you out of God’s will?

How seriously do you take spiritual warfare and why?

What role does your prayer life play in the seeking of God’s will for your life?

From these Scriptures, what is the #1 thing you want to concentrate on this week?

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Discipleship is all about Sacrificial Investment

Discipleship Is: Sacrificial Relationships

Colossians Pt. 8 (4:7-18)

Tychicus will give you a full report about how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord’s work. I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you.

  • Co-Worker / Peer
  • Paul is making Intentional Connections; growing relationships
  • Showing up is a massive encouragement!

 

I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that’s happening here.

  • Onesimus is the ‘Go-Between’
  • Paul has ‘Teamed These Guys up’ (Discipleship Triad)

 

Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way.

  • Mark caused Barnabas & Paul disagree / Wrote the gospel of Mark
  • Paul had been let down by Mark yet continued to invest in him…

 

Jesus (the one we call Justus) also sends his greetings. These are the only Jewish believers among my co-workers; they are working with me here for the Kingdom of God. And what a comfort they have been!

  • Fellow Jews provide comfort because they have the common history

 

Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God. I can assure you that he prays hard for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

  • People praying for you that you may not know about
  • His Prayer is basically for them to be ‘Spiritually Mature’

 

Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas. Please give my greetings to our brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.

  • The whole crew working together for and with each other
  • Obviously a Woman was playing a critical leadership role (Not Elder)

 

After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them.

  • They have a ‘Church Network’
  • Churches working together takes sacrifice amongst leaders

 

And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.”

  • Encouraging others to grow into who they are called to be
  • Paul is affirming his investment, doing it publicly, as an example

 

HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING—PAUL.

Remember my chains. May God’s grace be with you.

  • Why remember his chains? Paul still needs people to invest in HIM!
  • God’s Grace is how he will continue to invest

Application Questions:

What can you do to intentionally encourage people in your life?

How can you purposefully connect others and bring people together?

How can you prayer life connect you to others and their needs?

How do you share important things with others on a regular basis?

How might you sacrificially help others realize their potential as a disciple?

How have you been influenced by someones sacrificial investment?

/by

Sunday 4/8 Colossians Pt.7: ‘The Fruit of Disciple-Living’

The Fruit of Disciple-Living
Colossians 3:16 – 4:6

Previous Messages from Colossians:

What it means to be a ‘True Disciple’ of Christ

Who Jesus Christ Is

How Christ Lives in Each of us

Fighting the Worldly Influences of Syncretism.

The Power of Relationship over Rule Following

How We are Hidden & Clothed in Christ

This Week: What it looks like to live as ChrIst’s Disciples: The fruit of disciple-living

Colossians 3:16-4:6
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

  • Filling our lives with the richness of Christ is true discipleship
  • Sharing and advising other in the body of Christ is an honor and a blessing
  • Praising God should be a regular part of our days: Fruit of Discipleship

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

  • If you are ‘Full of Christ’ than what will overflow will represent Him
  • Every part of our lives are to be brought under His Lordship
  • If He is your Lord, than live from thankfulness to that Lordship
  • We give thanks through Him by living like Him (lifestyle flows from discipleship)

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.

  • If you belong to Jesus, play the role He has given you
  • Plurality with headship…God has set it up that way
  • Husbands, cherish the gift of a wife that God gave you
  • Our marriages are a true test of our ‘Disciple-Living’

Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.

  • God cares about everything, family matters!
  • Pleasing God through obedience is not ‘Progressive’ or ‘Sexy’…just right
  • Parents have a crucial stewardship of their children
  • Our level of discipleship is reflected in our important relationships

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord.

  • People in authority over you are placed there by God’s sovereignty
  • Ultimately you are working for Jesus if you are His disciple
  • If you fear God you are released from fearing people

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.

  • Eternal perspective in all areas of life ‘Holistic Christianity’
  • We must remember who we serve, and where our rewards come from

But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites. Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven.

  • There are earthly consequences for sin, even if it is forgiven by God…
  • A position of power dosen’t afford you the right to treat people unfairly
  • A true disciple does everything for an ‘Audience of One’

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.

  • Devotion, alertness and thankfulness…fruit of true Christ discipleship
  • Praying for those dedicated to spreading the gospel get you ‘Gospel-centric’
  • Paul saw the opportunity to share the gospel in every circumstance

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

  • Living ‘wisely’, biblically defined, is living as a disciple of Christ
  • You may be the only ‘Bible’ a non believer has ever read
  • Being Gracious & Attractive comes from living out the fullness of Christ Discipleship

Application Questions:

How do you intentionally let the message of Christ fill your life / lifestyle?

What does it look like to represent the Lord Jesus?

What role do your family relationships play in your discipleship to Christ?

How do you bring your discipleship of Christ to your work life?

What is your level of devotion to prayer? What can you do to raise it?

How are you involved in the clear presenting of the Gospel?

How do you bring your life with Christ into your relationship with non-believers?

/by

Christ’s Resurrection: Our Peace, Proof, Pardon & Power

CHRIST’S RESURRECTION: OUR PEACE, PROOF, PARDON & POWER

The Bodily Resurrection of Jesus Christ is Crucial…but just part of the whole Gospel

7 Key Aspects of The Gospel of Jesus Christ:

Supernatural Conception

Humility of Birth & Life

Tempted but Sinless

Preaching The Kingdom

Suffering & Death

Bodily Resurrection

Ascent & Return

Luke 24:36-53

And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” He said. But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!

  • Significance of ‘Peace be with you’ (In John’s version He says it twice)
  • Even the guys who were with Him on the road (Whole Group)

“Why are you frightened?” He asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet.

  • Humans are wired for doubt, Jesus addresses it head on
  • He want to show us He is real

Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it as they watched.

  • Christ wanted the Disciples to be clear that He had been ‘Bodily Resurrected’
  • Spirits don’t eat. He had a physical body, but it was a glorified body

Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

  • Christ points to the Hebrew Scriptures to validate what they are experiencing
  • It is the same with us: we filter our experience through scripture (objective)
  • Only through belief will Scripture make sense (Holy Spirit / Christ in Person)
  • Fulfilled Prophecy Proves Christ’s Sovereignty

And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day.

  • The foretold Messiah would prove He was God Incarnate by dying & RISING

It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ You are witnesses of all these things.

  • Messiah = God…His Authority proclaims: Repentance = Forgiveness
  • If in repentance you make His name the ultimate authority: your sin is pardoned
  • They witnessed the reality: We too have witnessed the reality: ‘Testify’ w/ life
  • They have all the information to put the picture together…SO DO WE!

 

And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”

  • Now that HE has fulfilled everything He depart and sent ‘The Helper’
  • The Father Promised the sending of the Spirit
  • It is God’s Spirit that in effects Resurrects all who repent & surrender
  • The power over sin and death is given to Christ’s disciples

Joel 2:28-29

‘And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.’

Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.

  • In Acts Luke states that for 40 days after resurrection He appeared many times
  • He blessed them with present experience authenticated with historical reality!
  • There is total understanding by Disciples that Jesus is God, so they worshiped
  • The joy of knowing The Risen Christ reshaped their priorities…

The Resurrection Completes the Process that gives us true Shalom With our Creator

The Resection fulfilled Prophecy, Proving The Sovereignty of Christ Jesus (God)

The Resurrection Demonstrates God’s Power over Sin, So Christ can Pardon Yours

The Resurrection Begins the time when God’s Spirit dwells in His People in (Power)

IF Christ’s Resurrection is your Peace, Proof, Pardon and Power…We Worship!

Application Questions:

How & why does the Resurrected Christ bring peace to your life?

How do you address your doubts when it comes to Christ Jesus?

Why is it important, as a disciple of Christ, to know He is bodily Resurrected?

Why does it matter if you believe the whole Old Testament is about Christ?

How do you connect Christ’s Resurrection with the pardoning of your Sin?

How real is God’s Holy Spirit in your daily faith walk? What role does Scripture play?

How do you experience worship of the Risen Christ in your average week?

 

/by

3/25 Palm Sunday: Our Response To Christ’s Humility (Luke 19:28-44)

(V28-29) …Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples. As he came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead.

  • Leading them into purpose, example
  • Even though He leads us He sends us as well (Luke 9 sends the Twelve & 72)

(V30-31) “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that colt?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

  • Humility happen is real life in the shared spaces…
  • What Christ leads them to obedience without seeking to justify / explain

(V32-34) So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, “Why are you untying that colt?” And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs it.”

  • Jesus Christ demonstrates to them His sovereignty.
  • His Sovereignty is the cornerstone of OUR HUMILITY!

(V35-36) So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on. As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him.

  • The humbled is honored
  • How different than how it works in our world
  • Would you put your coat down on the road for an animal to walk on it?

Matthew 21:4-5 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,“Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.’” (combo of Isa. 62:11 & Zach 9:9)

  • Matthew was focused on a Jewish audience so He mentions their scriptures
  • The specificity of ‘Donkey’s Colt’

(V37) When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.

  • Still well outside of Jerusalem, the crowd is growing
  • The attention is on God because of the way Jesus rolls…

(V38) “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!” (‘Hosanna’: Matthew 21:9)

  • These are the highest of all praise, there is identification as the Messiah!
  • Matthew records use of the word ‘Hosanna’ which means ‘Save Us’

(V 39-40) But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”

  • Pharisees never show ANY humility…only ‘false humility’
  • They try to get Christ to play their game
  • Jesus responds W/ reality, humility does not exclude Him or us from being real
  • Spiritual Reality: creation will rejoices in The Messiah (Then, Now and Future)

(41-42) But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes.”

  • Jerusalem represents The Corrupt Jewish Religious Establishment (Temple)
  • Christ again demonstrates His sovereignty so we can be humble (He knows)
  • Recognizing factual reality and dealing with it, as it is, takes humility (U know)
  • We can truly care for the spiritual wellbeing of other is to be humbled by love

(V43-44a) “Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you.”

  • Roman Invasion of Jerusalem in 77AD (perfect description of it)

(V44b) “Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you.”

  • The ‘Stones’ speak of The Temple which was completely destroyed
  • They put their faith in their religion (pride of performance) opposite of humility
  • Lack of humility will keep you from recognizing who God really is: Christ!

Application Questions:

At this moment of popular recognition, why does Jesus exemplify true humility?

How important is humility in the life of a Disciple of Christ? Rate your humility 1-10.

How do you react to getting attention for ‘Being Spiritual’?

What makes you react to attention like Christ? What has made you more humble?

When in your life has your true humility been honored by God?

What is the connection between humility and concern for people far from God?

If some people will not recognize Jesus, why obey God by trying to make disciples?

/by

Sunday 3/11: Relationship Over Rules

Colossians Part 5: Relationship Over Rules OR Connection Over Compliance

2:11-23
When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

  1. Paul is connecting old testament with new
  2. Spiritual Circumcision is God placing His (Christ’s) Spirit in you, permanently
  3. The baptism he is referring to is the ‘Immersion’ of God’s Spirit
  4. Circumcision & Baptism are rituals to help us experience God setting us apart
  5. We get Baptized to ‘Confess’ what God has done, and our trust in it

You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.

  1. Sin awareness is crucial, we are all spiritually dead until surrendered to Christ
  2. We are spiritually alive eternally when we trust Christ to forgive that SIN
  3. Christ’s death on the cross cancels our Spiritual Death (when we surrender)

In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed (Exposed) them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

  1. God showed evil / darkness / rebellion / death / destruction to be powerless!
  2. God let those forces do their worst…and then He did His best!

So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.

  • We trust God, not religious traditions or ceremonies
  • Christ is to be our reality, not our ability to follow rules and create facades
  • God used the Law to set His people apart to bring Christ out of them

Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things.

  • Control by condemnation is classic ‘Cult / Heretic’ behavior
  • Leaders with ‘Unique Vision’ or ‘Special Revelation’ are not Orthodox Christians
  • These thing will always appeal to some form of pride

Their sinful minds have made them proud, and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it.

  • Worship of self, not Christ. Not Indwelt with Holy Spirit. Not disciples of Christ
  • John tells us to ‘Test The Spirits’ (1st John 4)
  • We need to be connected to Christ, through the body to grow to maturity

You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”?

  • Have you died with Christ? Tough question…
  • It is the ONLY way to be set free from the power of evil in this world
  • But if you have died then only Kingdom rules will matter

Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.

  • Phariseeism, that is what it used to look like
  • Rules can never deliver you from evil without and within
  • The Law (Old Testament) was given to prove this point

Application Questions:
How would you describe ‘Biblical Salvation’? What role does Christ play?

Where are you in regards to receiving complete forgiveness from God in Christ?

What does it mean to your daily life that Christ ‘Disarmed’ the powers of evil?

Are there ares in your Christian life where you seek compliance over connection?

What influences your life, pointing you towards something other than Christ?

Where do you struggle with a compliance to rules over relationship to Christ

How might you live out connection over compliance in your discipleship of Christ?

 

/by

Sunday March 4th: The Struggle for Simplicity (Colossians Pt.4)

Colossians Pt. 4: The Struggle for Simplicity
Chapter 1:28 – 2:10

So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.
Proclaim, Convict, & Inform EVERYONE… Led by God’s Wisdom (H.S.)
We are guided in our own discipleship and the discipleship of others by The H.S.
This is how we create a culture of discipleship (every generation builds their own)
We have a lofty goal: All followers of Jesus Christ growing to maturity (‘Perfect’)

That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me. I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally.
The ‘That’s’ here is the vision of disciple building
Do we have a vision of ‘Biblical Disciple Building’?
That vision is dependent on Christ’s power, not our programs and organization
It doesn’t just serve our own church but even those we do not know personally
Paul had a special burden… should we have some burden?

I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
What Christ’s Disciples are to live like, that means US… NOW!
Focus on Christ…
Author and Perfecter
The Way, The Truth and The Life

The person of Jesus Christ, in all that He is & has done & will do is our simple focus

I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments. For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.
Purpose in focus on Christ: (knowing the truth is the cure for deception)
The idea of ‘The Church of Christ’s Disciples’ all being one body with one goal

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
It takes God’s power and faith in it to get ‘Saved’, same with discipleship
Root your life on Christ: Roots are the source of growth & stability
Strong rooting (foundation) in the person of Jesus Christ is the plan
Doing it right will make us thankful to God

Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.
We need this warning just like they did…
Our ‘Media / Entertainment’ is Corrupt, Godless and Destructive

For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
Everything we need to know about God is contained in The Christ of Scripture
Being united with Christ by God’s Spirit is all we need: Connected to the Top!

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
What is your role in ‘presenting others perfect in their relationship to Christ’?

What are opportunities to participate in building disciples personally & corporately?

How might you be more intentional in your focus on THE PERSON of Jesus Christ?

What are ways to strengthen your faith in Christ?

What would it look like to build more of your life on ‘Christ as Lord’?

In what ways are you letting ‘Wisdom of this World’ influence you rather than Christ?

What things can keep you from union with Christ?

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