1. Committed to the church
Colossians 1:28 – 2:5

2. What do you think of when you hear this?
Attending regularly
Giving generously
Active in some area of service
Loyal when others criticise
Faithful over a number of years
Praying for the leaders, people
Making sacrifices to attend activities

3. Paul’s commitment to the church was different from this
He suffered imprisonment, deprivation
He gave his whole life to proclaiming the Gospel and teaching believers
He prayed fervently for people
He took people with him (training, company)
He wrote letters to them
He worked while serving the church

4. Paul’s relationship with the Colossians
Written while he was in prison :10
To believers he had not personally led to Christ 1:7
He saw them as part of a community with other churches (Laodecia, Hierapolis, Nympha’s house) :13,15,16
He was their servant :25

5. A servant Has a master Has a task to perform
Has the master’s resources to use
Is focused on the served
Does not expect thanks
Is rewarded by the master
… for faithfulness

6. Christ kindles incredible energy within me to do His work
Christ kindles incredible energy within me to do His work. I can hardly sleep because my mind races with ideas of how the kingdom could be further advanced. I frequently review my circumstances to see if there are ways that I could follow Him more closely. I dream dreams of new ministries I work hard to bring them to life. My body tingles with excitement when I see others engaged in this work I yearn for more workers with the same spirit. He increases my capacity to do this . The task is immense, I am bringing every ounce of the energy He gives me to bear on fulfilling as much of it as I can. Colossians 1:29

7. We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. Colossians 1:28

8. My purpose is that they may …
Be encouraged in heart 2:2
Be united in love :2
Have the full riches of complete understanding :2
Know Christ :2,3
Not be deceived :4
Have firm faith in Christ 2:5

9. How can we do this? How can we encourage one another?
How can we be ‘united in love’
How can we make sure we have ‘the full riches of complete understanding’?
How can we make sure we are not deceived?
How can we strengthen our faith?

10. So commitment to church is
Commitment to God’s agenda
Commitment to proclaiming the gospel
Commitment to admonishing and teaching

11. The goal is Encouragement Unity Understanding
Deeper knowledge of Christ
Strong faith
Not getting side tracked

12. How can we do this? Recommit in our own hearts Remove impediments
Pray about who to commit to
Keep the focus: Gospel sharing and maturing faith
Attend to relationships
Don’t get side tracked