Series: Church On The Move (Colossians)[#2]
PLEASED
Colossians 1:9-14
Introduction:
My 9 year old son, Tyler, said something interesting to me the other day. After getting trouble and getting a “spanking”, he told me that what he hated more than the “spanking” was the fact that he had disappointed me. I understand that, because I have felt the same way for a long time.
As a Christian I know that God has to discipline me sometimes; but what is worse is that I disappoint God. I want to always please God, don’t you?
In our text, Paul tells us how to please God.
Colossians 1:9-14 (NIV)
[9] For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. [10] And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, [11] being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully [12] giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. [13] For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, [14] in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
We please God by…
Bearing Good Fruit
“… bearing fruit in every good work”.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
This is the good fruit we bear when walking in the Spirit. We must understand that the only way we can bear good fruit is by being attached to the source of power.
John 15:1-8 (NIV)
[1] "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. [2] He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. [3] You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. [4] Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
[5] "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. [6] If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. [7] If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. [8] This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
We please God by bearing good fruit and by…
Growing In Knowledge
“…growing in the knowledge of God.”
The older I get the less I know. I am amazed that as I study the Bible how many things I have missed through the years.
How do you grow in the knowledge of God? By studying and applying the Word of God.
Psalm 119:9-11 (NIV)
[9[ How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. [10] I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. [11] I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
[105] Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
God wants you to keep growing. Don’t stop feeding on the Word of God.
We please God by bearing fruit, growing in knowledge, and by…
Being Strengthened
“… being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.”
Psalm 28:7-8 (NIV)
[7] The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. [8] The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
We are strengthened by God’s presence and moving in our lives. As Nehemiah to the people, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength”.
Isaiah 40:29-31 (NIV)
[29] He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. [30] Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; [31] but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Why do we need God’s strength? So that we can keep going when things get difficult.
We please God by bearing fruit, growing in knowledge, being strengthened, and by…
Giving Thanks
“… giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.”
We must never forget that without God’s mercy and grace we would have no hope. God has given us a reason to thank Him.
Responsive Reading #672 (The Baptist Hymnal 1991)
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Who alone does great wonders, who by his understanding made the heavens, who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
Who made the great lights- the sun to govern the day, the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.
And freed us from our enemies, and who gives food to every creature.
Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.
Conclusion:
This morning we are going to partake of the Lord’s Supper as a time of remembrance and thanksgiving for what Jesus has done for us.
Before we partake we need to have a time of self-examination.
1 Corinthians 11:27-32 (NIV)
[27] Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. [28] A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. [29] For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. [30] That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. [31] But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. [32] When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.
[Invitation]
*****************Lord’s Supper*****************
Pass Out Bread
Prayer
1 Corinthians 11:23-24 (NIV)
[23] For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, [24] and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."
Eat Bread
Pass Out Juice
Prayer
1 Corinthians 11:25-26 (NIV)
[25] In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." [26] For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Drink Juice
