General & Personal Letters Lesson 8 The Incomparable Christ Colossians 1-2

O for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemer's praise, The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of his grace! My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim, To spread thro' all the earth abroad The honors of your name.

Jesus! the name that charms our fears, That bids our sorrows cease, ‘Tis music in the sinner's ears, ‘Tis life and health and peace. He breaks the power of cancelled sin, He sets the prisoner free; His blood can make the foulest clean; His blood availed for me.

To God all glory, praise, and love Be now and ever given By saints below and saints above, The Church in earth and heaven.

Colossians 1:13-14: For he has rescued us from the dominionof darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Selina Hastings

There is a name I love to hear I love to sing its worth It sounds like music in my ear The sweetest name on Earth O how I love Jesus O how I love Jesus O how I love Jesus Because He first loved me

It tells me of a Saviors love Who died to set me free It tells me of His precious blood The sinners perfect plea O how I love Jesus O how I love Jesus O how I love Jesus Because He first loved me

General & Personal Letters Lesson 8 The Incomparable Christ Colossians 1-2

Galatians 3:26-28: “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 3:10: "Christ's intent was that now, through the church the manifold wisdom of God should be made known... " Ephesians 4:12: "to prepare God's people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up... " Ephesians 6:10a,11: "we should be strong and put on the full armor of God so that we can take our stand against the devil's schemes."

Philippians 2:4: "look out for the interests of others... " Philippians 4:4-8: "rejoice in the Lord... do not be anxious for anything... make your requests known to God... set you minds on things that are noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, praiseworthy"; be content in all circumstances for my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus!

Ephesus Colossae

Ephesus Colossae Laodecia

 Saints (for holiness)  Believers (for faith)  Brethren (for love)  Disciples (for knowledge) 4 Names of Christians in Scripture

When does a church look like a church? When there’s evidence of faith, love, and hope.

Hope is not optimism; it’s the inner certainty that our future is secure in God’s hands.

 When he leads a life worthy of the Lord (looking out for the best interest of others);  When power is evidenced (to endure trials/tragedy with a peace that surpasses all understanding);  When gratitude and joy are present (an appreciation of what Christ has done for us that we could not do for ourselves” When Does a Christian Look Like a Christian?

Galatians 2:16: "know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ." Galatians 2:21: "If righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" Galatians 3:3: "After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" We are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ!

Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 5:12: “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, death came to all men, because we all sinned.” Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 10:9 ‑ 13: If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile ‑ the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Romans 8:1: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.”

 Greek Philosophy  Jewish Legalism  Mysticism  Gnosticism Elements of Heresy

1.To be loved 1.To feel forgiven 1.To experience security 1.To sense an adequate hope for the future Our Emotional Needs

Both believing Jew and Gentile are equal together in the church Christ in you, the hope of glory God’s Love & Reconciliation

ACCEPTANCE & FREEDOM

Literal – immerse, to dip Spiritual – we are identified with Christ and we take on His nature Baptism’s Meanings

 Teaches us how to please a Holy God  Convicts us of sinful practices  Empowers us to change our lives  Confirms our pure motives in service What the Holy Spirit Does

1. Accept what God has done 2. Ask for knowledge of God’s will 3. Assume accountability for the way you live 4. Assess ourselves honestly Lessons From Colossians 1 & 2

The full text of this lecture can be found tomorrow at dictationsfromthespirit.com Click on the dropdown menu arrow and choose “POW Bible Studies” General & Personal Letters “Lesson 8 – Colossians 1-2”