“How am I Supposed to Rejoice in My Suffering?” – Colossians 1:24

Colossians 1:24
 
“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,”
 
On the surface when reading this verse, the question “what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions” comes up.  The answer to this question would be “nothing”. Christ’s sacrificial death was all that was needed to pay the price for our sins. His death atoned for the sins of the world.
 
Paul was not suffering to earn his salvation nor was he completing the sufferings Jesus experienced. Paul looked upon his suffering as something that would help him conform to the image of God. We too will go through trials and persecutions. And we’re reminded in James 1 that our suffering leads to perseverance which will lead us to maturity and completeness.
 
Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians while he was in prison This was during the time that Emperor Nero was killing Christians. Paul’s sufferings enabled him to comfort other persecuted believers with the legitimacy that comes through first hand experience.
 
Paul’s sufferings also pointed to his steadfast commitment to the cause of Christ, and his willingness to spread the gospel regardless of the cost. Such a faith is convicting. Is our faith that strong? Are we willing to suffer for the sake of the Church? 
 
Suffering and sacrifice for someone else shows ones love and commitment. While we can draw inspiration from Paul’s suffering for Christ, we can draw comfort and joy from Christ’s suffering for us! 
 

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions: 

  • In our day and age what would it look like for us to suffer for the cause of Christ? 
  • How might this question be answered by a believer in a country without our freedoms?  
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond? 
Joe Sowell, Wednesday night Men’s group leader
 
 

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“Truth in Advertising” – 2 Timothy 3:12

2 Timothy 3:12
 
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,”
 
Have you ever thought that Paul and Jesus totally missed some classes on how to market a product, especially, when they talked about persecution and surrender? It may have seemed that way, but great marketing is not always showing the comfort of a product. As a matter of fact, if a product is worth your life, you don’t have to do much marketing. Just tell the truth.
 
Paul first mentions that the world is wicked, then he says if you want to live godly lives, you are going to get hurt by the world. Verse 12 does not offer theory or a maybe. Pain is a reality, but keep moving forward.  
 
Living for Jesus requires your obedience, and your obedience is going to get you into trouble with the world. Yet, living for Jesus is worth the price. You have the tools, (the Spirit working through you, the Bible, each other, and prayer) to get you through. So, get in or get out.  
 
While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:  
  • Why do you think Jesus and Paul gave prospective disciples the promise of persecution instead of just focusing on the benefits? 
  • Do you think it’s better to face difficulties as a believer, knowing that Jesus and Paul warned of its coming? Why? 
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond? 
Pastor Stephen Williams
 

 

 

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“A Parent’s Pride and Pain” – Luke 2:33-35

Luke 2:33-35
 
“And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
 
As a parent, I’m partial to my kids. I think they’re pretty great. I’ve watched them grow up and turn into young adults, growing into their personalities and gifts. And it’s always a blessing when someone else sees the specialness about them. 
 
Joseph and Mary were proud of their son as well. They knew he was special, but not just in the way that a parent thinks of their child. They had it on good authority that Jesus was like no other child. He was the Son of God and he would change the world forever. He would usher in the Kingdom of God through a new covenant that would not just effect the people of Israel, but the whole world. 
 
But the change that Jesus would bring on would touch on one of the greatest fears of a parent – that through this change, their son would suffer great pain. The worst thing a parent can go through is the suffering of their child. And the prophet Simeon told Mary that she would feel it like a sword through her heart. 
 
I can’t imagine my own child going through such terrible persecution. I don’t love anyone else enough to let my son or daughter do what Jesus did for us all. His suffering and death was because of our sin, but Jesus was willing to go through it all because of his love for the Father and for us. 
 
“For God SO LOVED the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
 

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:  

  • How does looking through the eyes of Mary and Joseph effect your view of what Jesus did for us?  
  • Does a parent’s perspective help your understanding of the sacrifice God made and His love for us? How so? 
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond? 
Today’s post is by Jon Price, Associate Pastor
 

 

 

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“What’s His Platform?”

Isaiah 9:6-7 

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”

How many political advertisements have you seen this year?  If you are like me, too many!  Each one of these advertisements declare who the candidate is, and what the world of politics calls his or her “platform.”  The “platform” is a set of goals by the political party or individual that should make you want to vote for the candidate.    

In this text, Isaiah declares that the government of the world will be on the shoulders of Christ. Then he tells us the platform, goals or principles that Jesus will rule. These goals are not necessarily goals for Christ. Many politician’s platforms are based on what will get votes. They may or may not govern the way they promised, but Christ will have no election and He will govern exactly the way He promised.  It’s who He is.  He has a proven record of being Himself and doing what He promised.

So who is Jesus and what is His platform?  Isaiah says, Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.  His platform is: 1. He will rule forever  2. He will bring peace forever (Hallelujah!  No more war!)  3. He will establish justice and righteousness.  4. He will govern out of the passion of who He is.  What Christ believes about Himself will be His motivation to lead. In other words, Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor, and that motivates Him to be the Wonderful Counselor to His people.   

Meditate and study Jesus and His platform, then surrender to His Lordship.  You will be glad the vote was given to Jesus forever.

Today’s post is by Pastor Stephen Williams

 

 

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“Christ is Supreme” – Colossians 1:15

Colossians 1:15

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”

It is quite often difficult for us to wrap our mind around many aspects of God’s word. Paul is sharing what God laid on his heart for the people of Colossae.

A few weeks ago, a friend and I traveled 8 days and 4850 miles to visit a former prayer partner who had a career in Georgia then retired to Montana. My friend  recently lost his wife, and needed some “guy time“ to reflect and marvel at God’s love, mercy and grace in spite of personal earthly losses. God showed up daily as we prayed across 14 states and we experienced God’s awesome supremacy in majestic views, loving people, physical health and protection, and a renewed peace that regardless of the election outcome, Jesus was here first and will be here last having paid the price with his blood to be our leader forever.

The Lord Jesus in His humanity is the visible revelation of the invisible God. The only way to know our Creator intimately is through His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, the firstborn over all creation.  

The word firstborn does not refer to time, for the uncreated Son is from everlasting to everlasting. The word firstborn refers to His preemptive position in God’s creation – His superior standing; His predominant place; His supreme status. Christ is the firstborn over all creation because as the eternal Son of God, He was born into our race as the perfect Son of Man. The incarnate Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us making Him first in significance and first in status. Jesus Christ is first in importance over all His creation, and at the name of Jesus every knee will bow for all creation is subject to His authority – and He died so that we might live. 

John 1:1-5 also speaks to the  preeminent position of Christ.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

While using the HEAR method, dig into the meaning of each of Jesus’ titles given in this verse. 
Answer in the comments below. 
  • Do you take time to reflect on Jesus preemptive position in this crazy world?
HIGHLIGHT: What words or phrases jump out at you? “How was Christ here before creation? “
EXPLAIN: What does the passage mean? Use your Study Bible or online tools to understand the passage further. 
APPLY: How does the passage intersect with your life today? What is your “take away” from this passage? Are you struggling with the status of politics in our country?
RESPOND: What is God prompting you to do today based on this truth? 
Hall Rogers




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“Dynasty” – Daniel 7:14

Daniel 7:14

“And to him was given dominion
    and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
    should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
    which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
    that shall not be destroyed.”

Did you know the British Empire once covered around 1/4 of the Earth’s land mass? Or did you know the Mongolian Empire consisted of about 25% of the world’s population in the late 13th century? The Qing Dynasty, Russian Empire, and Muslim caliphates of the first millennia have a similar distinguished history.

Let’s go back even further.
Egypt. Assyria. Babylon. Persia. Greece. Rome.

What do all these Dynasties and Empires have in common? Two things:
1. They were dominant in their day. They ruled the world of their time. Their militaries were superior and their kings were powerful. Seemingly, their empires would never end.
2. They were all destroyed or badly defeated. They’ve either ceased to exist completely or they’ve been humbled to near irrelevance. Their empires are gone. They have passed away. Their rulers are gone. Dead. Their militaries are gone. No longer prominent.

We don’t have true empires today, but we do have military and economical superpowers. And one day these superpowers will also fade away to become nothing. Believe it or not, that includes the United States of America. One day all dynasties and world powers will fade away. All earthly kingdoms will come to an end.  None will stand.

THIS is GREAT NEWS!

WHAT? How in the world is that great news? I’ll tell you why. It’s great news because there is a dynasty- an empire- a kingdom that will never fail. There’s a Dynasty that will last forever. There’s an Empire which will never be destroyed. There’s a Kingdom that is above all other kingdoms. A Kingdom that will outlast all other kingdoms. A Kingdom that is eternally superior. And this Kingdom is ruled by a King who is supreme. A King who is preeminent. A King who created the heavens and the earth. A King who reigns over the universe. A King who is eternal. A King who is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-sufficient, all-satisfying, all-good, and always-present. And this King is not only our King, but He’s THE King. All will bow to this King. All will worship this King. All people. All nations. All tongues. This King’s name is Jesus! For those who freely worship King Jesus, we are also part of the eternal Kingdom that knows no end. We are part of a Kingdom that will never, ever be destroyed. We are part of a Kingdom that will reign forever on the New Earth when all things are restored and made new. We are part of a Kingdom that will live eternally in perfect peace. King Jesus is coming back to rule and reign on Earth forever and this is great news for those who have placed allegiance in King Jesus. Our allegiance and trust isn’t in our nation. It isn’t in our president. It’s not in our government. It’s not in our finances. It’s not in our power or influence. All of that will fail us. All of that will fade away. All of it will be destroyed. But Jesus…Ahhh. Jesus and His Kingdom is eternal, my friends.

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond? 
Zach Gallman

Photo by GR Stocks on Unsplash

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