Sermon Nuggets Mon Oct 5
Theme- Christian Essentials
Verses- Col 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints-- the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel
Christian Essentials
This week I will start a new Biblical series from Paul's letter to the Church at Colosse. After his initial greeting to the believers he share essentails in their Christian life for which he is thankful. These essential characteristics proove themselves even during bad times.
What do you do when you are having a bad day? Do you ever see it coming? Sometimes there are signs that are evident when you know it's going to be a bad day. Here's an illustration I read. "You know it's going to be a bad day when you turn on the news and their showing emergency routes out of town." "You know it's going to be a bad day when your twin sister forgot your birthday." "your car horn goes off accidentally and remains stuck as you follow a group of Hell's Angels on the freeway." "Your pet rock snaps at you. " Your four year old tells you that its almost impossible to flush a grapefruit down the toilet"
One fellow knew it was going to be a bad day when he saw three burly motorcyclist come into a restaurant; they looked around and came up to him. The three grabbed his food, dropped it on the floor and laughed in his face. This man was a little guy. He got up said nothing paid for his meal and left.
One of the three unhappy that he didn't fight them, commented to the waitress, "he wasn't much of a man, was he?"
She looked out the window and said, "I guess not. He's not much of a truck driver, either. He crushed 3 motorcycles driving out of the parking lot."
Circumstances that surround us often define for us whether the day is going to be good or bad. I like the song the quartet sang. It is not the outward circumstances that dictate our day, but the inward resources. "I'm going to keep walking, keep talking, keep singing in Jesus name. I'm going to keep believing, receiving, everything He has for me." Their verse said, "I don't' have time to waste on these earthly pursuits, the kind of gain I'm after has ultimate use."
Paul was some kind of optimist because he was arrested, he was sentenced to go to Caesar, people hated him being a Christian they tried to kill him, but while he is in prison he is still ministering to people and to the believers. It was during this time he heard about the young church in Colossae and he write them this letter. He was not letting the outward circumstances give him a bad day. In fact as he was conscious of the presence of Jesus Christ his heart
and mind and thoughts. He was having a good day.
Paul in this letter to the Colossians contrast their hope with hopeless which many people were facing then and are facing today. Today teen suicide is rising, Alcoholism, drug abuse, hurtful lifestyle, homosexuality, financial failure, broken marriages, false friends and failed health are some of the causes for losing hope.
Lets look at some of these resources that come from the inside With them you learn to ignore and even overcome the outward circumstances. Paul's thanksgiving is a result of what is
demonstrated by believers at Colossae.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues Oct 5
Verses- Col 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints-- the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel
Thankful for Growth in Faith
Beginning the letter of Colossae the Apostle Paul is thankful that Christian essentials are growing in lives of the church folk. Paul was first thankful that the people were growing in their faith. They were excited about God.
Today there are 1,000s of affluent people living in luxurious homes and driving expensive cars but are dead and empty and hollow inside. I watch the stories of Bernard Madoff and Denny Hecker on the news and see their houses falling taking many people with them because their lives were growing in greed. CEO’s will still be discovered of many companies and banks who received stimulus money to help the economy only to divert it to personal benefits and gains.
This week Marge Gerdin died rather unexpectantly. I contrast her life with those who lived for money. We brought our former exchange student to her place a couple of weeks ago to buy some home processed maple syrup. He was surprised how little she wanted for the bottles compared to how much they cost in the grocery stores and especially at his home town in Germany. I teased Marge and said she would never get rich this way. She responded, “But I’m rich in friends.” She is also enjoying the riches of Christ in glory because of her faith.
Riches and royalty do not bring happiness compared to the peace on the inside demonstrated by those willing to live out their faith in reaching out to others in love and in need.
Paul wanted to see the believers grow in their faith in Jesus Christ. Some churches are known for being dead on the vine, for being lukewarm, or being battling Baptists, or being cold and unfriendly people. What is Stanchfield known for? Are we known for faith?
When he heard the people were finding peace with God and growing in their faith, I can understand a little bit how Paul felt. I suppose it is normal to feel badly when God leads people from our church to other communities. But as I got different reports on how these men were doing was quite pleased. They came to know Christ through the ministry of Stanchfield. I had been told how one man became active in a local church and ultimately on a church council. He is growing in the faith. The other man I found out took the step of being baptized and joined an evangelical church in his community. I felt like Paul thankful their faith has been growing and they are taking Jesus Christ seriously. There are a host of people that each did their part to bring those men to the place they would listen to God's call. That is exciting to get that news.
Judi and I were eating in a restaurant in North Branch when a couple came up to us and greeted me. I remember performing their wedding several years earlier. They only attended church during those pre-marital counseling days and after marriage lived in Pine City. During the counseling I presented the opportunity for them to place their trust in Christ. The bride to be was a believer, but the man was not. It is always a delight to be used of God to help someone come to personal faith in the Lord. I never heard from them again until this day several years later. What a delight to discover they not only became active in a local church, but youth leaders and workers. Their lives were changed by God's grace and they were growing in the faith.
What excites me most as a Pastor is when I see people come to Jesus Christ and take off. I am so thrilled to see changes in their lives. Others can see it and are affected by their new found friend, Jesus.
What discourages me most in the ministry is the opposite, when people for whom I feel spiritually responsible lose a love for the Lord and their faith gets cold; they no longer care about spiritual things and fall away. They are no longer interested in things of the Lord. They become inactive and even live in ways that are embarrassment to be called as Christian.
What is Stanchfield known for? Is it a desire to see more come to faith and to grow in that faith? We have had a great history, but we need a fresh touch and direction from God.
Paul's whole purpose was to tell the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and boldly proclaim Jesus is the only reason for living. "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain" he said. Even when you are having a bad day in prison it can be joyful knowing that the truth is spreading by the grace and work of God. Prayer is what lifted his spirit and his heart became one with God’s in seeing this new church grow first and foremast in their daily trust of Jesus.
But as so often is the case, there were tools of Satan to disrupt and introduce a false teaching. Satan can devastate us except for Gods' protection. It is a regular reminder to keep growing in your trust and obedience in Christ. Keep close to the teaching of the Bible and prayers. Keep putting into practice what you have learned and allow the Holy Spirit to use you according to the gifts and abilities which He graciously give you.
When it is all said and done it isn’t about how rich we are here, but how rich we are in the faith.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds Oct 7
Verses- Col 1: 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints-- the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel
Thankful for growing in Real Love
Faith is essential for a Christian. But another identifying characteristic is love. The Apostle Paul also heard that the church at Colossae loved the saints. God's love is enduring.
Circumstances around us do not endure. We will have good days and bad days. Life changes, but you will never be outside the love of God. He calls us also to demonstrate that real love to the body of Christ and indeed beyond. The people who come together in Colossae have unity. They love the Lord, but they are also committed to each other in fellowship. They need each other due to the persecution they are experience. They were ostracized from family and homes. They were pagans in a pagan world and all was going well, but when they moved camp and became a follower of Jesus Christ Satan would do all he could to hurt them and discourage them.
To say yes to Christ may mean not being accepted by family and friends. But is also means being welcomed into a whole new group of people that have received God's love in Jesus Christ and are being changed to demonstrate it to others.
I am reminded of the prayer of one of our deacons,, "Lord thank you for the years of unity we could have at Stanchfield." I trust this is because of love and not apathy. By the grace of God who loves us he gives me a love for you and for one to another than goes beyond our human natures and sees each other as brothers and sisters, walking together and needing each other.
I have seen some of you be so kind and forgiving to people who did not act loving. Your maturity helped me see others as needing patience and love. I have seen some of you take undeserved guff and accept it as one of those things you put up with, which helped me see forgiveness isn't standing up for all your rights, it is giving them over to the Lord but consistently walking in truth even if people are going to be upset.
Now remember a poem I have quoted from time to time. "Oh to live above, with the saints I love, that will be glory. But to live below, with the saints I know, Well that's another story.”
There are unattractive saints, people whose actions attitudes and personalities aren't the easiest to adjust to. But people who need and want love. Some people say, "How I rejoice in the love of God" but I wonder if their face knows it. I was told of a little girl who the first time she saw a mule said "I don't know what you are, but you must be a Christian; you look just like Grandpa".
Paul was thankful the fruit was showing. Because of their faith they demonstrated love. I thank God for your love for all the saints. It is a decision that someone makes to let the Lord's love take over.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs Oct 8
Verses- Verses- Col 1: 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints-- the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel
Thankful for Growing in Enduring Hope
When you’re having a bad day don't forget the hope that is ours in Jesus Christ, now and forever. Hope keeps the Christian going knowing there is so much more. There is victory over death over disease over tragedy and tribulation. There is guaranteed fellowship with God. I
heard of atheists who have dial a prayer and when you call there is no answer. Indeed, there is no hope when God is not in your life.
According to the Scriptures Paul is thankful when he heard about the enduring hope the believers had in Colossae. That hope is laid up for them in heaven. They cannot lose. They can be discouraged, they can suffer hardship, they can fight the forces of the evil one. They can be persecuted, and knocked down, but not knocked out. Because after the dust settles in all our scuffles, Jesus is the victor standing there calling his people home forever. Oh that we recognize the hope that is in Jesus Christ, The good news is Jesus won and the Kingdom of God is growing in the world. We are on the winning side.
This hope comes because of the gospel which they heard. This gospel is the spreading of the word of God. Now our task together is to sow the Word. We do so in evangelistic outreach, in showing love and kindness to others in the name of Jesus.
It is the good news that is bringing forth fruit. Hope results in different life, different plans, different priorities, and different decisions. It started changing their lives as soon as they heard and knew of the grace of God.
We have the task of spreading the gospel in anticipation of the Kingdom. Hope is the root, faith is the plant and love is the fruit. Hope is foundation. What produces hope? The phrase states: "stored up for you in heaven and which you have already heard about in the word of truth.” It is awakened by the gospel, the good news. To most hope of heaven suggests life after death. After this life we will go to be with the Lord and all the glory of eternity will be ours. That is wonderful hope, but not all that this phrase means. It is not only to heaven after death but the invisible spiritual kingdom that surrounds us on all sides right now. Jesus said, “Let not your hearts be troubled for I am with you. His strength is for you now. His wisdom is available now. I confess that when it is difficult we look only for human help and forget that God's help is instantly available. Praise God he gives us people at certain times that makes us aware of the fellowship of believers, but sometimes I think human help is denied in order that we may learn how much greater the help is from his kingdom.
You are God's people if you know him as your savior. You are important people to carry out the task God wants us to carry out. You are rubbing shoulders with people who have no hope, hearing sad stories and meeting them in the streets in stores and having coffee with them. They are lacking in hope and we have the answer. There are some ready to respond because nothing they have lived for has given them any real hope for the future and for eternity. Nothing can except to trust in Jesus Christ.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nugget Fri Oct 9
Verses- Col 1:6 -8 All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.
7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
Thankful for growing in Bearing Fruit
Since we are beginning a new book study this week, perhaps a bit of a background is in order. Paul is in prison, most likely in Rome. It was written about 60 AD. He never had visited this church. What he knows about these believers he learned from his friend, Epaphras. It seems that the church started as a result of Paul's ministry at Ephesus. Some converts from there went on to witness in Colossae and people found purpose and meaning in Jesus Christ.
Epaphras was converted through Paul's witness. Already faith is producing fruit. So Paul wants to write a letter of encouragement as well as some correction. For although things are going well they are not going to stay that way unless they are aware of handling the dangers around and within them. But words of encouragement that the Christian essentials are being demonstrated in this newer fellowship. Faith, Love, Hope and fruit bearing delights Paul.
When I went to Russia a number of years ago to teach pastors in a Bible School it is natural to wonder how they are doing. Since they don’t speak English and I don’t speak Russian not much is communicated. But I was delighted to see in a Decision magazine a story of the evangelistic crusade that Dr. Ham had in Georgiyevsk, Russia. That was the city we ministered in. I was in the home of one of the students, who served as the chairman of that event. He not only asked that I pray for them but asked for advice on how to begin setting up a crusade so he could come into their city. I was thankful that we had a part in Ralph Bell Crusade meetings in Cambridge so I could give some suggestions. When things would be set up the Billy Graham Association would walk them through the final preparation steps. As I read this article I was full of joy to know that event did occur many came to faith when the Gospel was proclaimed.
Not long after that the local director of the Bible school, Rev. Vladymr Marmyshev, sent a letter to the former teachers which said, "We consider the school to have been a great blessing for the church of Georgiyevsk and other 12 churches of the region. 13 of the graduated students are now in leadership positions in different churches. It is hard to calculate the spiritual results of the school because repentance and baptism are the result of the combined ministry of our churches, the school and the students. In Georgiyevsk alone more than 20 people repented and 60 persons were baptized during that year. This is undoubtedly a merit of the school. Presently the students are leading 12 Bible studies groups and 1 group for preparing young preachers in Georgiyevsk and surrounding villages."
The church is producing fruit. The word of God is being spread. The prayer request was that there be increased sowing of God's Word. That by God's grace His name is honored in our church and in our community, that our faith in Jesus Christ results in love for others. It is our prayer that we at Stanchfield be faithful in sharing the gospel to see lives changed.
I read an article called the Wordless Church. The author of the article was struck by how we are now seeing wordless churches. The Word of God seems less eminent, less obvious and less central to many churches these days, because the Bible offends people. But the Bible is the truth from God that confronts us with sin, corrects us in wisdom, and guides us in spiritual things. Pray for the sowing of God's Word that it will produce of harvest of righteousness.
The gospel has power to change when people exercise their faith in Jesus Christ. When Christ comes in they learn to walk by faith in letting his truth move their decision and his will and word guide their actions and his power move their desires. From that fruit of the love is demonstrated and people will be affected by the Lord the givers of hope.
What turns a bad day into a good one? Not the circumstances but by God who gives hope, which produces faith and results in love. Then that is shared to others. Our part is to pass on the story. God’s part is to take that seed and use His servants to water, and harvest the fruit He produces. With all the struggles that go on, it is encouraging to see God at work in the world.
Pastor Dale
