Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
When we meet together, we take some time to share our joys and concerns. If you have any prayer requests, please add them as a comment to this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below, written by Alan Paton, (source) to get started.
O Lord, open my eyes that I may see the needs of others
Open my ears that I may hear their cries; Open my heart so that they need not be without succor; Let me not be afraid to defend the weak because of the anger of the strong, Nor afraid to defend the poor because of the anger of the rich. Show me where love and hope and faith are needed, And use me to bring them to those places. And so open my eyes and my ears That I may this coming day be able to do some work of peace for thee.
This week's lesson is on Colossians 1:19 - 2:3.
Lesson Context
Four of the letters written by Paul while in prison in Rome are called the prison epistles: Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians and Philippians. Colossians was written to the church in Colossae. This church was likely planted as a result of Paul's third missionary journey, but not by Paul. The congregation's of Paul's day were either of Jewish or pagan backgrounds. A major threat was syncretism -- a blending of old beliefs and practices with new ones. Teachers of this system would say something like, "Having Christ is important, but to be saved, you also need..." That sentence might be completed by one or more Jewish practices of the Law of Moses, or it might be finished with speculative elements of Greek philosophy. Both seemed to have been problems at Colossae.
Paul's Status (verse 24)
Paul's ministry was to be characterized by suffering. But his suffering had a purpose. Paul was clear that Christ's afflictions were complete in their intended purpose. Paul's suffering was instead for the body of Christ, the church.
Paul's Intent (verses 25 - 29)
Paul says he is a servant. The word translated "servant" comes from the Greek word diakonos, from which we also derive the word deacon. The book of Acts records Paul's mandate:
But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.
... “Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. ... ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
The mystery Paul refers to is the content of Pauls' preaching, the good news of Jesus, once hidden, but not revealed. The gospel message broadly deals with two issues: (1) the person of Christ, and (2) the work of Christ. The four gospels focus mostly on the person issue. That is, evidence and belief that Jesus is the divine Son of God. The meaning and significance of Jesus' work -- primarily why his death, burial, resurrection, and ascension are essential -- are largely not addressed in the gospels. Instead, it received full treatment after his ascension as the apostles received further revelation and the rest of the New Testament was written.
The gospel message is inclusive, including both Jews and Gentiles. The mystery of the gospel is that Christ is in and of himself, and that Christ is in each believer. This indwelling is the glorious riches Paul is talking about. Riches refers to spiritual blessings. Christ is proclaimed, by both admonishing (or preaching) and teaching. The content of the message has the singular goal of presenting everyone fully mature in Christ Jesus. We can understand mature as meaning perfect in this case. Clearly, perfection is not possible. But we keep aiming for that standard, and asking for forgiveness when we fall short. We must apply wisdom to help work toward perfection. God's power works within the church. The purpose of the church is for her members to be not only reconciled (justified) but also to be complete in holiness (sanctified).
Paul's Labor (verses 1-3)
Paul wants his readers to know of his ministry of prayer on their behalf. While Paul may have known a few people in Colossae, he probably had not actually been there. Although many within this letter's audience are strangers to Paul, they are still objects of Paul's concern that arises from the unity believers have in Christ. Scripture often uses the word heart to designate the person, especially one's center of moral and ethical deliberation, will , and attitudes. One is strengthened in the kind of comfort Paul means. United in love suggests a harmony of purpose and thought. It has its source in devotion to Christ, who empowers us to love one another. Paul desires his readers to have the confidence and power that comes from an ability to distinguish between true and false teaching. False teachers claim to have hidden truth to which only the spiritual elite have access. In contrast, Christ is the one in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Knowledge is the mental grasp of truth. Wisdom is the ability to use knowledge appropriately.
Conclusion
God's care for the first-century church came primarily through human hands. Paul is a primary example of this. But what Paul began needed the help of others to carry it out on a long-term basis. Paul wrote a call to alertness and action. His readers needed to remain alert to wrong views of Christ, wisdom, power, glory, mystery, etc. Only with such alertness could they be prepared to act to protect the church. How well did the church at Colossae do in this regard? We don't really know, but the church in nearby Laodicea received criticism decades later for being lukewarm in Revelation 3:14-22. Lukewarmness manifests itself in the form of complacency. Do you see signs of complacency in your church? How do we know when complacency is setting in? What are its signs? To be able to answer such questions is an issue of alertness, which must precede action. And who do you expect to take the corrective or preventative action?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, remind us constantly of your presence and available power! May we never exchange your Son and his wisdom for counterfeits. Let us become experts in Christ to be able to stay alert to those pretenders! We pray in the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Questions for Discussion
Benediction
Next week's lesson is on 2 Corinthians 3:5-18.
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Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
If you haven't joined us in person, we are now meeting for Sunday School after the worship service!
When we meet in person, we take time to share our joys and concerns. Consider your past week. If you have any prayer requests, you can add them as a comment on this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
Dear Father,
Thank you for redeeming us. You took us out of deadness and gave us life. You made us alive together with Christ. You cancelled the debts that we owed you because of our sinfulness. You disarmed the powers that work against us, triumphing over them in Christ for our sake. How gracious and wonderful you are. To you we owe eternal praise. Help us to withstand anyone who might seek to disqualify us, seeking to bind us to any principle of action at all except faith in Jesus Christ, for he is the head, and he determines how the body will grow. Help us to hold fast to Christ, who is our head, in whose name I pray. Amen.
Today's lesson is on Colossians 2:16-23.
Lesson Context
Paul wrote the epistle of Colossians in the first half of the AD 60's, probably while he was under arrest in Rome. The recipients of the letter were a community of believers in Colossae, a city in modern Turkey. The letter was intended to encourage the Colossians and address false teachings that had infiltrated the church. The exact nature of the false teaching is unknown. However, based on the contents of the letter, scholars assume that both Jewish and pagan teaching threatened to lead believers astray. This syncretistic belief system was one composed of elements of different religious and philosophical traditions, probably including Judaism.
Troubling Judgment (verses 16-19)
The Law of Moses, part of our Old Testament, had a lot of regulations for the Jewish people. These included what was not allowed to be eaten, what people were not allowed to drink, and required religious celebrations. The Jewish calendar is based on the lunar cycle, so a New Moon marks a new month. First century churches in Rome and Galatia encountered conflict regarding these regulations and observances. Paul rejected such regulations because they would cause division and destruction. Believers should serve others with love, rather than chase appearances of holiness that disregard love. Out of this consideration and love for others, believers may limit their freedom to avoid causing other believers to sin. But the Law of Moses and its requirements are temporary, and cannot offer salvation. Christ is the culmination of all requirements for salvation. The things that were to come is Paul describing salvation in and through Christ. Paul commanded the Colossians to live with humility. The Colossians seem to have developed some sense of false humility. Our book suggests that this may be something like public fasting. The "worship of angels" is also a bit vague. It may mean that the Colossians were worshipping angels to intercede with God. The Colossians were in danger of being deceived and led astray by false teaching. Their deception would result in their being disqualified from receiving the reward of a life submitted to God's rule. Extreme practices of self-denial can sometimes result in a dramatic, and very unhealthy, physical response, like a hallucination. Based on the public fasting, some false teachers in Colossae were likely experiencing such denial-induced hallucinations. These would have seemed like visions and religious experiences. Instead of actually listening to God as the source of wisdom, they sought worldly wisdom that fed the idle desires of their flesh. Paul compared the church to the body of Christ. The church in Colossae was losing its connection to the head of the church, Christ.
Worldly Rules (verses 20-23)
Although the Colossian believers lived in the world, they were not to submit to its rules. This manner of living described their old life. However, they had died to that way of life. Instead, they had been raised into a new life through Christ's death and resurrection. As a result of their new life, they would reorient their hearts toward heavenly things and live as God's chosen people. Paul again talks about bad rules for the people. Rules that come from people will eventually perish and no longer apply. However, some rules can lead to growth and maturity in a person's spiritual health. Adherence to these practices does not reliably indicate the status of a person's heart toward God. True wisdom comes from knowledge of God's will rather than through misdirected worship. This misdirected worship could include worshipping the created and not the Creator, or displays of self-denial that result in harsh treatment of the body. God freely gifts knowledge of his will to his people. He wants his people to share this wisdom with others.
Conclusion
It can be tempting to believe that we don't add anything extra to our faith. Yet, the reality is that we often do. Sometimes, we set explicit or implicit rules on ourselves and, by extension, on other believers. Our observance of these rules or guidelines does not mean that our hearts are automatically more or less holy. But issues arise if we raise these rules to the same level as God's Word. We or other believers may be spiritually harmed. We should carefully examine our behavior regarding such regulations. Ensure that you first maintain a relationship with Christ, the head of the church. What, after all, can be added to the gospel of salvation through Christ? What more do we need? Only when we accept that Christ's work has accomplished what we needed for reconciliation can we be filled with his wisdom. Ask for the Spirit's guidance to discern whether you are following the world's wisdom or God's wisdom. At the Spirit's leading, we will be free to engage in practices that lead to the glory of God and the edification of other believers. Seek the Head! And heed the Spirit.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we want wisdom that only you can give. Soften our hearts so we can be attentive to the work of your Spirit. Guide us to follow your will. May we, as the body, always remain attached to Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Questions for Discussion
Benediction
This week's benediction is from the New Living Translation.
Next week's lesson will be on 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1.
Gathering Around the Word
Prelude: Choir ANNOUNCEMENTS: CALL TO WORSHIP: May Christ be exalted He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation For Him and by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible. We rely on His sustaining power He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is the head of the church and in Him the fullness of God does dwell. Today, as we come together to worship, may we remember and reflect upon the supremacy of Christ, who is our Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. Let us offer our praise and adoration to Him who holds all things together and who has reconciled us to God. Amen INVOCATION
*HYMN “The Church’s One Foundation” # 321
(intro then 5 verses) PRAYER OF CONFESSION Father, we confess that we have built many idols in our lives. We say that we will follow You alone and yet we are often drawn away by the world’s allure of immediate satisfaction and pleasure. We haven’t always been good stewards of our time, money, or energy. Instead of being a people focused on the well-being of others and Your glory, we have so often thought only of ourselves. Have mercy on us. Remind us that we serve a jealous God who desires our full affection. Yet even in our sin, encourage us of the coming day when sin and evil will be no more. Amen. *Time of silent prayer: Assurance of Pardon Response – Gloria Patri # 581 * Passing of the peace Children’s Chat Prayer of illumination Scripture: Joshua 24: 1-3, 14-25 Sermon text Colossians 1: 15-23 *HYMN “In the Cross of Christ I Glory” # 213 (no intro then 5 verses) *Apostles Creed (next to Prayer List) Presentation of tithes and offering Offertory *Doxology *Prayer of dedication Concerns and Celebrations Prayers of the people The Lord’s Prayer *HYMN ”To God Be the Glory” # 634 (intro then 2 verses) *Benediction *Postlude Choir
BIRTHDAYS Ruby Hathaway, Bill Reese Jr
The Women's Missionary Group will meet on Tuesday, November 14 at 9:30 am. Please join us as we gather in fellowship downstairs in the social hall. We thank everyone who donated to our Thank Offering Collection last Sunday. If you were not able to attend, designated envelopes are in the pews for your convenience in giving to this program. Thank you for your support in all we do. The Women on Wednesday will be meeting at 9:30, November 15 to continue getting ready for our bake sale. If interested in joining the group, WELCOME!! Also, if you would like to donate cookies, cakes or anything edible for the bake sale contact Debbie Durila. The bake sale is next Sunday, November 19 after church in the social hall.
Continuing Prayer List
Chuck Dicks, Frank Huffman, Tom Westfall, Sandy Stone, Sarah Wilson, Carl Weber, Jimmy Svetz, Ricci Amos, Haley Diedier Bedillion, Fred Wilkinson, Diane Anderson, Helen Provenzano, Donna West, Judy Donaldson, Marlene McFeely, Sue Gregg, Wendy Willard, Marley Smith, Kirkland Cipoletti, Ellen Morris, Dave Henderson, Ed Horne, Doris Ann Rowe, Hunter Beck, Karen Eisiminger, Rev. Shetter's grandson, Beckett, Tim Knabensue, Helen Bury, Glenn “Mikey” Hardin, Suzy Smith, Richard Wagner, Steven Shuba, Frank Baker, Carol Pierce, Chuck Harton, Jean and Ron Westfall
Today's guest speaker is TJ Spruill.
Gathering Around the Word
Prelude Choir ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP It is good to praise the Lord and make music to Your name, O Most High, To proclaim Your love in the morning and Your faithfulness at night. Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song. INVOCATION Today’s guest speaker is Rev. Dave Mason. We had some technical difficulties in recording service today. There is no video available at this time. All of the information normally found in our bulletin is below. Birthdays, anniversaries, the prayer list and announcements can be found at the bottom of the page. Gathering Around the Word
Prelude My Song is Love Unknown Bob Senay ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: A word spoken, a voice heard, People: A dream revealed, a mission received. Leader: God calls, again and again. People: God beckons us to follow. Leader: To love, to serve, People: To give, again and again. Leader: God invites us to embrace the lonely, People: To feed the hungry, to tell the Good News of Jesus, All: To love and serve, to sing praises all our days. INVOCATION Rev. Mason |
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