2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Supremacy

TITLE: A Little Help from My Friends

Scripture:  Colossians 4:7-18

I.    THE VALUE OF CLOSE FRIENDS    

“Friendship is a sheltering tree” Coleridge

Paul didn’t travel alone. He mentions several traveling companions:

1. (Tychicus).
2. (Onesimus).
3. Lists several others.

II.   THE VALUE OF PRAYING FRIENDS                   

One close praying friend of Paul is (Epaphras).

The word struggling is the word agonizing 

III.  THE VALUE OF LOYAL FRIENDS 

Paul’s letters were often “circuit letters” or circular letters

Paul mentions a church and some friends;

1) Church at Laodicea
2) (Nympha)
3) (Archippus)

Next week: Theme: Truth!

Title:  Brave New World- I Cor.2:1-5; 2 Cor.4:1-2

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Supremacy

TITLE: Speak Up!

Scripture:  Colossians 4:2-6

“A sharp tongue is the only edge that grows keener with constant use.” Washington Irving

“If your lips would keep from slips, Five things observe with care: To whom you speak; of whom you speak; and how, and when, and where.” William Norris

“I have often regretted my speech, never my silence.” Publius

I.    WHEN TALKING TO GOD           

Sound advice about our vertical speech:

1.   Be devoted to (prayer).
2.   Be (alert).
3.   Be (grateful).

II.   WHEN TALKING TO OTHERS

Verse 5: What Christ-followers are gives credibility (to what we say).

The word conduct here is the Greek word which means “to walk around.”  It refers to (all actions of a person’s daily life).

We are to have our speech “seasoned with salt.” What exactly does that mean?

Psalm 114:3- “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.”

A good principle to follow is found in Ephesians 4:29

Next week: Theme: Truth!/ Series: Supremacy

Title:  A Little Help from My Friends- Colossians 4: 7-18

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Supremacy

TITLE: Family Matters

Scripture:  Colossians 3:18 – 4:1

I.    IT MATTERS HOW WE TREAT OUR FAMILY             

God established the home in the Garden of Eden when he brought Adam and Eve together.

First choice of words to the (wife). The key word? (Submission).

Second choice of words to the (husband).  2 things stand out:

1. Love your wife.
2. “Do not be embittered”

Third choice of words to (father and children).  The key word? (Obedience).

 “exasperate” (KJV) -“to irritate, stir up.”

II.   IT MATTERS HOW WE TREAT OTHERS                  

Some historians say in Paul’s day there were more than 60 million slaves in the Roman Empire. That equals about half the population.

Paul’s thoughts divided into two: slaves and slave-owners.  This does not mean he was in favor of slavery.

1.   Slaves- (Be obedient).   Keep this in mind: When doing something for God, a lowly calling like being a servant becomes a high calling of being a servant for the Father of all.
2.   Masters- (Justice and fairness)

Next week: Theme: Truth!/ Series: Supremacy

Title:  Speak Up! Colossians 4: 2-6

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Supremacy

TITLE: Be Careful What You Pursue!

Scripture:  Colossians 3:1-17

I.    CHALLENGE #1: SEEK THINGS ABOVE    

A parallel Scripture: “I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me…” Gal.2:20

When Paul tells us to focus on things above what does he mean? Not physical but on God’s (character), His (presence), His (heavenly joys).  We don’t seek heaven, we see (the One who lives there).

II.   CHALLENGE #2: GET RID OF GARBAGE          

Paul tells us to get rid of things:

1. (Sensuality)
2. (Materialism)
3. (Negative emotions)

III.  CHALLENGE #3: ADD THE ESSENTIALS  

This new kind of life does not begin with self-reformation or us turning over a new leaf. It isn’t pulling ourselves up by our own bootstraps. It isn’t something we can do on our own!

“Wherever, Whatever, Whenever, However…Christ!” (Swindoll commentary)

1. (Word)- Deals with everything we say.
2. (Deed)- Deals with everything from our daily routine.

Next week: Theme: Truth!/ Series: Supremacy

Title:  Family Matter- Col. 3:18-4:1

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Supremacy

TITLE: Counter Measures Required

Scripture:  Colossians 2:16-23

I.    LEGALISM             

Bill’s definition: “Living a life of rules and regulations, of do’s and don’ts, of “you must avoid and must do these things.”

Many times legalism is used (to ride herd) and as (gauges for spirituality).  They are often used as (weapons) to keep people in line.

Legalism is the religion of (human achievement).

3 thoughts about legalism:

1. 1. 1. 1. Legalism is (joyless).
         2. Legalism is (uniformity).
         3. Legalism is (surface).

II.   SPIRITUALISM                 

A pop culture way of saying this is (mysticism).

Paul has dire warning against this garbage. They were (pretenders). They were guilty of (spiritual pride) and devoid of the (Holy Spirit).

III.  ASCETICISM 

Webster: “The practice of strict self-denial as a measure of person and especially spiritual discipline; rigorous abstention from self-indulgence.”

“Ascetic religion is basically godless, for its practitioners essentially worship themselves.” Alexander McClaren

Next week: Theme: Truth!/ Series: Supremacy

Title:  Be Careful What You Pursue!- Col. 3:1-17

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Supremacy

TITLE: Choose!

Scripture:  Colossians 2:8-15

I.   THE DEFICIENCY OF PHILOSOPHY   

Philosophy comes from two Greek words: phileo which means “to love” and sophia which means “wisdom.” So philosophy is the love and pursuit of wisdom.

Paul gives four characteristics of this dangerous seductive philosophy:

1. It was (deceptive).
2. It claimed (good origins).
3. It was (demon controlled).
4. It was (enslaving).

II.   THE SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST

What separates a cult from real truth and orthodox Christianity is what they (think about Jesus).

Verse 9- One commentator: “It presents the glorious majesty of Christ’s Person and His complete sufficiency.”   This verse is telling us Jesus is more than just godlike. He is telling us Jesus is God and in Him is all the fullness of God.

Everyone has a choice, whether to follow (human wisdom) or to (follow Christ).

Paul’s next words describe this completeness in practical terms.

1. He refers to (circumcision).
2. He refers to (burial).
3. He refers to a (resurrection).

Next week: Theme: Truth!/ Series: Supremacy

Title:  Counter Measures Required- Col. 2:16-23

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: More Than a Man

TITLE: Seriously?

Scripture:  Acts 2:29-36

“Neutrality is not an option. Either Jesus rose and rightly demands your attention, repentance, trust and obedience, or he stayed dead. If he only became a rotting corpse why should you follow Him?  (Quote by John MacArthur in Risen With Christ by Andrew Warnock-p.43)

I.    FICTION OVER FACT?           

Some of the theories put forth:

1) The disciples knowingly lied.
2) The disciples stole the body.
3) The authorities hid the body.
4) Jesus just swooned on the cross.
5) The disciples just hallucinated when they saw Jesus afterwards.

II.   FACT OVER FICTION?              

“The keys of death were hung on the inside of Christ’s tomb.” Piper

“The resurrection of Jesus is God’s gift and proof that His death was completely successful in blotting out the sins of His people and removing the wrath of God.” Piper

“The only possible reason why early Christianity began and took the shape that it did is that the tomb really was empty and that people really did meet Jesus, alive again.” N.T.Wright

Peter believed in and staked his life on the resurrection. See I P.1:3

Paul used the resurrection to describe what happens to those who are baptized. See Rom.6:4

Next week: Theme: Truth!/ Series: Supremacy

Title:  Choose! Col.2:8-15

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: More Than a Man

TITLE: Why?

Scripture:  Isaiah 52:13-53:12

I.    THE CERTAINTY OF HIS DEATH          

Did Jesus really die? Some facts:

1. Jesus repeatedly said this would happen.
2. Pilate delivered Him to be crucified.
3. The Romans designed crucifixion to make sure the person was dead.
4. The Romans scourged Jesus within an inch of his life.
5. The centurion at the cross pronounced him dead.
6. They put Him in a tomb guarded by centurions.

II.   THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HIS DEATH              

Please turn to Acts 8 for an important exchange.

3 highlights found in our Scripture passage:

1) 52:13-15- Revealed Israel’s Messiah and King would both (suffer and be exalted).
2) 53: 4-6- Graphic description of Jesus’ suffering and death.  You are reading about a doctrine called (penal substitution). It is a fancy way of saying, “Jesus paid the penalty for our sin.”

• • • • • • The wrong perception in this verse: “by his stripes we are healed.”

3) 53: 7-10- Jesus was (submissive) to His Father in His death.

• • • • • • Check out I P.2:21b-24.

Next week: Theme: Truth!/ Series: More Than a Man (2 weeks)

Title: Seriously? – Acts 2: 29-36

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Supremacy

TITLE: A Burden Worth Carrying

Scripture:  Colossians 2:1-7

I. THE INTENSITY OF THE BURDEN

Jesus is our example of (love for the church).

1) Acts 20:28
2) Ephesians 5: 25

Paul loved the church.

1) Phil.1:7
2) 2 Cor. 6:11
3) 2 Cor. 12:15

Paul’s love goes even deeper. [See 2:1] The word struggle is our word (agony).

II. THE FOCUS OF THE BURDEN

For us to grow in our faith, there must be two insights we have to acknowledge: an (increased
knowledge) of God’s Word and a (focus) upon Christ. What you think of Christ, your
perception of Him, is (everything).

What is Paul’s burden?

1. They will be (strong in heart). (v.2a)
2. They will be (united in love). (v.2b) See Ephesians 4:16
3. They will be (settled in their understanding). (v.2c)
4. They will not be (deluded). (v.4)
5. They will grow in their (walk in Christ). (6-7)

Next week: Theme: Truth!/ Series: More Than a Man (2 weeks)
Title: – Isaiah 52:13-53:12

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Supremacy

TITLE: Why We Do What We Do

Scripture:  Colossians 1:19-29

I.    THE PURPOSE OF GOD        

No one else can say what Jesus says: He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, the preeminent one. He is the highest in rank. He is the first in everything. He is to have first place.

Look ahead to Colossians 2:9. All the (divine power and attributes) of God are in Christ.  To put it one way: Jesus Christ is the (exhaustion of God).

1. 1. 1. 1. In justification, the sinner stands before God guilty and condemned, but is (declared righteous).
         2. In redemption, the sinner stands before God as a slave, but is granted (freedom).
         3. In forgiveness, the sinner stands before God as a debtor, but the debt is (paid and forgotten).
         4. In adoption, the sinner stands before God a stranger, but is made a (son)
         5. In reconciliation, the sinner stands before God as an enemy, but become a (friend).

II.   THE PURPOSE OF MAN           

The positives in suffering:

1. 1. 1. 1. It (brought good) to the church.
         2. His suffering (filled up) what was lacking in Christ’s suffering.

Paul’s statement to what his purpose is: (proclaiming Christ).

Here is a non-negotiable: The Gospel is for all people for all time.

Next week: Theme: Truth/ Series: Supremacy

Title:  A Burden Worth Carrying- Colossians 2: 1-7