The Easy Path

If we were completely honest - we like easy.  We don't want struggle, pain, sadness, or hurt.  We want to trust and love.  We want to have meaning and purpose.  

What does that tell me?  We want more.  We aren't satisfied.

What if easy wasn't best for us?  What if easy didn't lead to trust, love, meaning, and purpose, but instead leads to anguish?

For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. - Matthew 7:13

Sort of an eye opener isn't it?

We spent last night talking about Hell.  We answered questions like, "What is Hell Like?" and "What is the Purpose of Hell?"

To briefly answer the first question - it is worse than anything we can imagine.  Darkness, solitude, weeping, frustration, regret, worms, fire, punishment, ETERNAL.  

To briefly answer the second question - Hell was created for those who would rebel against God.  Originally for the Devil and his angels, but we share in the rebellion of Adam and Eve.  

The emotional suffering of Hell shows the complete and utter hopelessness for those who are there.

The physical suffering of Hell shows the fire, agony, and pain for those who are there.

The relational suffering of Hell shows the lack of community and loneliness for those who are there.

The spiritual suffering of Hell shows the complete absence of God.

Take a look at Luke 16:19-31.

Notice what the rich man says and doesn't say.

He says he is in agony.  He says there is fire.  He says there is torment.  He asks for mercy (and receives none).

He doesn't say it is God's fault.

This brings up the question - how can a loving God send people to Hell?

I would ask this question in response... What do you want God to do?

Forgive?  He offers that through Christ.

Leave you alone?  He will do that as well.  But that is the easy path.

The path that is wide and leads to destruction.

Leaving

Death.

In all of human history, only two men have escaped physical death.  Scripture tells us that because of Adam's disobedience and sin - death entered the world and affects all mankind. 

Death.

It has become the normal end of life event that occurs for all of creation, especially for you and me.  Even a man who was revived like Lazarus in John 11 tasted death again.

His heart stopped.  His lungs struggled for breath.  His eyes grew dim.  Not once.

Twice.  He went through death's procedures on two different occasions.

Death.

It is proof that God is not liar.  He told Adam not to eat the fruit of the tree.  The consequence for disobedience would be death.  And for the 1,185 chapters we see how man suffers that consequence.  There is a reason all the genealogies are listed in Genesis 5.  At the end of each man's life we see how long they lived and then the phrase "and he died."

So what do we do with Death?  It is a powerful enemy and we cannot defeat it alone.  Isn't that what we just celebrated a few days ago?  The defeat of Death?  But wait... Jesus died.  Think about that.

JESUS DIED.

Yes, but Death did not have the power to keep Him dead.  Unlike Lazarus and the few others who came back from the dead - Jesus LIVES today.  Death couldn't hold Him in the grave.

Death.

How do we face it today?  That answer depends on what you do with Easter.  What you do with the resurrection.  What you do with Jesus as your Substitute and Savior.  By embracing Him as your Savior we can echo Paul's desire for death.

If we haven't embraced Jesus, it isn't safe to die.  At death, we know our eternal destiny.  We are either in the Lord's presence or in torment.  Forever.  No second chances.

Death.

What about friends?  Family?  Neighbors?  Co-workers?  Death comes for all.  What would happen if we started to see people the way God does?  Beings with souls that will spend eternity somewhere?

What if God has placed us here to share with them hope?  To share with them how Jesus defeated death?  To share with them how we can have life?

Life.  Eternal.  Everlasting.  All because of Jesus.

Who is in YOUR Crew?

Paul calls on wives to submit, husbands to love, children to obey, and parents to not provoke.  In relationships within a family, we know this can be very difficult.

Difficult, but not impossible.

Because Christ saves us and transforms us, God-honoring family relationships are possible and more than that, expected.  If we really pursue Christ and live out the way Paul explains in Colossians 3:1-17, the outflow of that life is seen in how we relate with other people.

Just because a wife is instructed to submit to her husband doesn't mean she is inferior or weak.  In Christ we are one in the same as Galatians says "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ."  We all have the same worth and value, but we do have different roles and functions.

God created Adam first and laid on him the command to tend to the garden.  Seeing that Adam would need help, God creates Eve from the rib of Adam to be a helper.  In the context of a loving relationship, wives are to come alongside their husbands to support, encourage, rebuke, and allow them to lead the family.  This is how God designed the family to function.

Husbands are to love their wives the way Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25-27). This is a sacrificial love.  The husband is to give of himself to his wife to meet her needs and to lead her in loving Christ.  So much more could be said on this topic, but this isn't the place.  I would add that it is time men step up to lead their families in the way God intends and commands.  Too often we fall way short of our responsibility to treat our wives and children with the love and respect they deserve.

Children, obey your parents - why?  Because God commands it, and obedience pleases Him.  Paul speaks to motive later on in the passage, but that idea transcends the slave/master relationship.  Parents - don't try to make your kids angry.  There is already enough friction and tension in relationships, we don't need you creating more!  Seek to encourage your children in their gifts all the while using discipline and instruction to teach them about Christ and His love.

Masters and Slaves have expectations as well.  For some information regarding slavery in the New Testament check out this article.

Paul spends the last handful of verses in chapter four talking about his close friends.   These are the guys that Paul has ministered side by side with for a period of time.  He knows them and he knows their character.  Paul doesn't just run with anyone - his friends are ferocious about the gospel and about living out their calling for Christ.

 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant^[a] in the Lord. ⁸ I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, ⁹ and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.

¹⁰ Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), ¹¹ and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.¹³ For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.¹⁴ Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.

I have put the names of the men Paul mentions is bold.  Take note of what he says about them.  The one exception is Demas - who deserts Paul just prior to his death.

Paul's close friends encourage and push him toward Christ, just as Paul himself encouraged and pushed his close friends toward Christ.

Are we willing to evaluate all of our relationships in light of God's instruction?  What about our closest friendships?  Do they push us toward Christ or draw us away from Him?  Do we push our friends closer to Christ or do we draw them away?

Claiming Christ

Paul has spent most of his letter to the Colossians explaining the greatness of Jesus and how He has made believers ALIVE when they were once dead.  Now that his readers are alive to God and dead to the world, Paul explains what their lives should look like.

1. Think heavenly thoughts, and be preoccupied with Christ.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.  For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  (Colossians 3:1-4 ESV)

As Christians, we have a new mindset.  We are not to be distracted and occupied by all the junk that is going on in the world, but to allow our minds to be devoted to Christ and His desires for our lives.  Yes, we are to take the gifts He has given us and use them in the places He has us.  This has ONE purpose - to point to Him!

A question to ask here would be - what dominates your thoughts?  Are they earthly and temporary things, or are they heavenly and eternal things?


2. Kill the Old Desires

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.  (Colossians 3:5-11 ESV)

The power of Christ is greater than the power of sin and death.  Because we are dead to the world, we no longer have to live according to the sinful ways we once did.  Our sin was bringing about the wrath of God.  It is time to kill the evil actions and thoughts that are trying to tempt us to disobey God and harm others.  Paul ends this section by saying that the Gospel is available to anyone who would believe.  It breaks down all socio-economic barriers.  Skin color, wealth, social status mean nothing when it comes to the Gospel!

A couple questions to ask here would be - what evil needs to be killed in your life?  How would you do this?  Who do you know that needs to hear about Jesus?


3. Claim Christ

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  (Colossians 3:12-17 ESV)

Take off the Old clothes and be dressed in the New clothes of Christ!  You are alive and free to live and please God!  Let your thoughts and actions be guided by His truth and His Spirit.  In every way you exist, point to Christ!  Compete for Him!  Live to show the world who He is through your life!

A question here would be - How can you point to Christ with your life?


4. Redeem the Time

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.  (Colossians 4:2-6 ESV)

Paul, while in prison, does not ask for prayers of being released - but for opportunities to share the Gospel.  He is making the best use of his time and he instructs us to do the same.  We don't know when our days will end, but we do know that we have a mission to complete while we live.  Paul encourages us to make the best use of the time we have been given.  It is time to live with PURPOSE!

A question here would be - how can you live with purpose?

This is one of my favorite passages in Scripture because every time I return to it, I can see how much I still need to change in order to live the way I should.  But what is even greater is found in verse 12 "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved..."  I am already holy and beloved no matter how far I progress in obedience.  Nothing can separate me from the love of God, not even my mistakes, mess-ups, and failures.

So how would you answer the questions above?

Identity and Definition

We all seem to want to be known for something.  Whether it is being a start athlete or a good friend - we all want to be known.  I think that longing for identity is central to the human existence ever since the fall of man way back in Genesis 3.  We even see people in Scripture who were trying to fill their lives with something that would identify them, even if it was bad.

The issue in the Colossian church was that false teachers were trying to say that Jesus was not enough.  Something needed to be added to the Gospel in order to be REALLY saved.  Paul writes in 2:16-23 to combat this way of thinking.

Because of all that Paul has written about being ALIVE in Christ, he now says that we are DEAD to the world. We no longer need to live by rites, rituals, and ceremonies. He uses the Old Testament Law as example of this in v.16.

He states the purpose of those Old Testament things was to point to Christ who is the substance of our salvation. The Law was never meant to save us - it cannot make us right with God, but exists to point out our sin.

You see getting wrapped up in the outward actions is pointless and harmful because we are COMPLETE in Christ and those outward actions cannot make us righteous. They work in the opposite way of causing an attitude of pride and arrogance (v.23).

While the false teachers are trying to say that a truly spiritual person must keep all of these man made rules and regulations - Paul says that true spirituality does not consist of keeping those things. It is Christ that transforms us from the inside out.

Nobody/Nothing can disqualify you from where you are IN CHRIST.

For the Colossians it was Asceticism (false humility and poverty), Worship of Angels, and Visions.

For us it could be church attendance, baptism, or abstaining for certain things. While this things serve a purpose - that purpose is not to make us right with God - only Christ can accomplish that.

Remember - as Christ captured our hearts and transforms us from the inside out - our actions will change. Our desires will change. Our lives will change.

Our IDENTITY is found in Christ. He makes us whole. He completes us.

We are never expected to change our lives before Christ can save us.

Do you feel pressure to perform a certain way so that others think you are spiritual?

God's Not Dead... And Neither Are You!

A lot people ask questions like "why am I here?" or "what is my purpose?" ... something that has been done throughout history.  We are no different today in wondering, "what in the world am I supposed to do?"

Last night we talked about two groups of people - and from your response, God was doing some crazy work in your hearts.  Those two groups of people would be:

1. People who are dead (spiritually, not physically)
2. People who are alive, but live as if they are dead (again, spiritually - not physically)

Paul answers the question of why we are here in the previous passage and gives his own mission statement.  Now it seems as if Paul wants to encourage these believers to live out that mission.

[8] See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

(Colossians 2:8)

Don't be enslaved by false teaching!  If Paul could scream this message, I am sure he would be!  His desire is to not go willfully back to the old way, but to STAND on the Gospel of Jesus.  -- Remember there is always enough truth in false teaching to lead people away from the true Gospel.

[9] For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, [10] and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

(Colossians 2:9-10)

In order to cement the idea of who Jesus is into the minds of believers - Paul again explains that Jesus is fully God, and fully man.  False teachers will try to attack one of these two statements.  If Jesus was not fully God - He could not live a perfect life and be our perfect sacrifice.  If He was not fully man - He could not identify with us or die for us.  

[12] having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. [13] And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, [14] by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

(Colossians 2:12-14)

For those in Christ - those who have put their faith in Him for salvation - YOU ARE ALIVE!  The old, sinful self is dead (Gal. 2:20) and YOU HAVE BEEN RAISED to new life!  You were taken from death to life and don't have to live in the "way of the dead" anymore!

He wiped away your sin.  He cleaned your slate.  He made you new.  He gives you value.  He SAVES you and makes you alive!

How are you living in the way of the dead?

What would it look like if you were to live as if you are really ALIVE?

Christ Centered Suffering

Matt Chandler, a pastor in Texas, commented in his sermon on Colossians 1:24-2:7 that 

"I don’t think Jesus is the lamp. I don’t think you rub it and all things are made perfect. I think Jesus sustains. The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is not that if you follow Jesus everything goes well for you. That’s not the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is that no matter what comes, He’ll be enough. You get God, that’s what you get. You get reconciled, you get alienation fixed. And so no matter 

what comes, you get Him." 

April 18, 2010

Isn't that the truth?  One of the major tones of Scripture, especially the New Testament is one of suffering for those who have Jesus as their Savior.  Just a few examples would be:

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
(2 Timothy 3:12 ESV)

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.

(John 15:18 ESV)

Paul nails it in this passage when he explains that sufferings come, but he is able to endure because of his relationship with Jesus.  The idea of suffering with joy seems really odd to me.  Here is what one person says about this:

(Taken from John MacArthur's commentary on Colossians)

1. Suffering brings you closer to Christ.

that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 
(Philippians 3:10 ESV)

2. Suffering gives you assurance.

     Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

(2 Timothy 3:12 ESV)

3. Suffering brings you a reward.

      For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 

(2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV)

No matter what comes your way in life - Jesus will ALWAYS be enough.

Last night you were challenged to create a personal mission statement.  Paul is given a responsibility from God to see the Gospel proclaimed to the Gentiles.  His mission was to preach this gospel by warning people of the destruction of sin and teaching them the awesomeness of Christ.  

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.  (Colossians 1:28 ESV)

In looking at the life of Christ - Jesus limited His own ministry.  

(Taken from John MacArthur's commentary on Colossians)

1. He limited His ministry to God's will

      “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.  

(John 5:30 ESV)

2. He limited His ministry to God's timing

      So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come.  

(John 7:30 ESV)

3. He limited His ministry to God's objective

      He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

(Matthew 15:24 ESV)

4. He limited His ministry to God's kingdom

      They said, “Caesar's.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.”  

(Matthew 22:21 ESV)

In making your own mission statement, take a look at where God has you right now.  Take a look at what gifts He has given you.  Take a look at your job, your friends, your family.  God placed you exactly where you are in order for you to fulfill your mission.  

After seeing where you are, apply the above principles to your mission statement.  Give your purpose over to God and His timing.  Go to those you already have relationships with.  Don't get caught up in things that do not matter eternally... or to say it another way - don't get side tracked.

I would love to hear some of your statements!