Kalei Wills

Plus Nothing! Col. 1:9-14Oct. 16, 2016 Pastor Matt Stacey

Basis of our Faith There is a God We are accountable to Him The path to Him is a narrow road

Basis of our Faith The path to Him is a narrow road… Matthew 7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” John 10:9 "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”

Basis of our Faith The path to Him is a narrow road… John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” Acts 4:12 "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." This belief is at the core, the very foundation of the Christian faith: Jesus is ALL we need to be right with God.

The cult of Jesus + Jews : Jesus + obey Jewish law Gnostics: Jesus + series of angels

The cult of Jesus + Catholic church: Jesus + sacraments “The Latin word sacramentum means “a sign of the sacred.” The seven sacraments are ceremonies that point to what is sacred, significant and important for Christians. They are special occasions for experiencing God’s saving presence. That’s what theologians mean when they say that sacraments are at the same time signs and instruments of God’s grace.” from Franciscan media.org

The cult of Jesus + Catholic church: Jesus + sacraments Baptism – Eucharist – communion Confirmation – Reconciliation - (also known as Penance,) “In it we find God’s unconditional forgiveness” Anointing of the sick – last rights Marriage – Holy orders –

The cult of Jesus + Mormons: Jesus + message from an angel Galatians 1:8 “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!” Some Christians: Works + Jesus Some Christians: Jesus + _______ experiences

The cult of Jesus + The problem with the Cult of Jesus + Is that it always makes Jesus out to be less than He is! You don’t need Jesus + anything; Jesus is ENOUGH!

What Jesus does for us at Salvation: 1. He made us SufficientVs. 12 “who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.” 2. He Changed our Mailing Address vs “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,”

What Jesus does for us at Salvation: 1. He made us SufficientVs He Changed our Mailing Address vs Paid off our Ransomvs “in whom we have redemption” 4. Full Deity-al Pardon “the forgiveness of sins”

In recognition of all that God has been doing in the Colossians, Paul is giving God thanks & then turns to Him & prays essentially for more of the same thing. God is the 1 who… Gives us faith Makes sure we have a messenger & hear Teaches us to love Causes us to reach as we hear & understand Builds up within us the Hope Results in bearing fruit

Paul’s Prayer Request: Vs. 9 For this reason – We do not cease to pray for you 1. Filled with Knowledge “you may be filled” = “knowledge of His will”

Paul’s Prayer Request: 1. Filled with Knowledge a. All Spiritual Wisdom – sophia – general principles of God’s desire for us… 1 Timothy 2:4 “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Ephesians 5:17 “So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,”

Paul’s Prayer Request: 1. Filled with Knowledge a. All Spiritual Wisdom – 1 Thessalonians 4:3 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;” 1 Peter 2:13 “Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,”

Paul’s Prayer Request: 1. Filled with Knowledge a. All Spiritual Wisdom – I Peter 4:19 “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Paul’s Prayer Request: 1. Filled with Knowledge a. All Spiritual Wisdom – b. (all Spiritual) Understanding Understanding = “sunesis” – a running together; flowing together SO Paul is praying for a Knowledge of God’s will Knowing what it is Know how to apply it to life

Paul’s Prayer Request: 1. Filled with Knowledge 2. Walk worthy of the Lordvs It isn’t that we “walk worthy” to earn God’s grace But because of God’s grace – we walk worthy! I am not trying to earn brownie points with God B/C of His love He causes me to do right

Paul’s Prayer Request: 1. Filled with Knowledge 2. Walk worthy of the Lordvs Matthew 7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Paul’s Prayer Request: 2. Walk worthy of the Lordvs “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?

Paul’s Prayer Request: 2. Walk worthy of the Lordvs “So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits.”

Paul’s Prayer Request: 1. Filled with Knowledge 2. Walk worthy of the Lordvs If you call yourself a Christian, and are not striving to live up to the name you better question if God is at work in you; We Bear His Name – We are His House – We are His bride –

Paul’s Prayer Request: 1. Filled with Knowledge 2. Walk worthy of the Lordvs With what hope? To please Him

Paul’s Prayer Request: How could we possibly do that? walk worthy of Him? a) Bearing Fruit in EVERY good work b) Increasing in the Knowledge of God c) Strengthened with all powervs “strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience;” d) Giving Thanks for …vs. 12 … all that Jesus does for us at Salvation