by avministry | Jul 19, 2023 | Sermons
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Psalm 90:9 (KJV) “… we spend our years as a tale that is told.”
All of us are busy writing the history of our lives.
After each hour, we write a paragraph.
After each day, we write a page.
After each week, we write a division.
After each year, we write a chapter.
And at the end, we finish the book.
William Shakespeare
“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have
their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts …”
1. THE CREATOR OF OUR STORY.
Psalm 100:3 Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not
we ourselves;
Psalm 14:1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons
believe—-and tremble!
2. THE WRITER OF OUR STORY.
Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus, the author …”
Psalm 139:16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your
book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were
none of them.
Acts 3:15 (NIV) You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.
We are witnesses of this.
The singer/song-writer Billy Joel said: “There’s a guy… nailed to a cross and
dripping blood, and everyone’s blaming themselves for that man’s torment,
but I said to myself, ’Forget it. I had no hand in that evil. I have no original sin.
There’s no blood of any sacred martyr on my hands. I pass on all of this.”
3. THE DIRECTOR OF OUR STORY.
Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths
Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Mark 1:35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight,
He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
Psalm 63:1 O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You;
Why are lost people described in the Bible as being lost?
Because they have no sense of direction.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Acts 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save
yourselves from this untoward generation.
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way
of death.
Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life.
and few there be that find it.
4. THE CAMERA AND SOUND CREW OF OUR STORY.
2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth,
to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.
Hebrews 4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked
and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
2 Corinthians 4:18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things
which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which
are not seen are eternal.
D.L. Moody once said ” If a camera were ever invented that could take a picture
of the heart of man the inventor would starve to death. Because no one would
buy a camera that would expose the secret things of one’s heart.”
John 12:4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray
Him, said,
John 12:5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given
to the poor?”
John 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief,
and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.
Luke 8:17 For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden
that will not be known and come to light.
Luke 12:2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid,
that shall not be known.
Luke 12:3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the
light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed
on the housetops.
Ecclesiates 12:14 For God will bring every work into judgment, including every
secret thing, whether good or evil.
1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who
will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the
hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.
5. THE PRODUCER OF OUR STORY.
John 15:5 “… for without Me you can do nothing.
Matthew 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Mark 6:41 (TPT) Then Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, gazed into heaven, and
gave thanks to God. He broke the bread and the two fish and distributed them to his
disciples to serve the people—and the food was multiplied in front of their eyes!
Matthew 4:4 “… Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds
from the mouth of God.’ ”
6. THE END OF OUR STORY.
Ecclesiastes 7:8 The end of a thing is better than its beginning;
The Barna Research Group says, ” It is estmated that 40% of those presently
serving in the church body will not be doing so 10 years from now.
1 Corinthians 9:27 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection,
lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, …”
I just took a look at the back of the book
And I know how the story ends
Any way you slice it, sinner my advice is
You’ve got to be a Christian to win
2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body
and to be present with the Lord.
by avministry | Jul 10, 2023 | Sermons
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Colossians 4:7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant
in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.
Colossians 4:8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may
know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,
Colossians 4:9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.
They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin
of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),
Colossians 4:11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers
for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a
comfort to me.
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you,
always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and
complete in all the will of God.
Colossians 4:13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those
who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.
Colossians 4:14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.
Colossians 4:15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and
the church that is in his house.
Colossians 4:16 Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also
in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
Colossians 4:17 And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have
received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
Colossians 4:18 This salutation by my own hand–Paul. Remember my chains.
Grace be with you. Amen.
6) Epaphras — The Friend with a Superb Devotion.
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you,
always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and
complete in all the will of God.
Colossians 4:13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and
those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.
Daniel 10:2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks.
Daniel 10:3 I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth,
nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
Daniel 10:12 Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day
that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God,
your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.
Daniel 10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days;
and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been
left alone there with the kings of Persia.
Daniel 10:14 Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your
people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”
Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,
against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
James 5:16 “…The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Colossians 4:12 “… always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may
stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
Leonard Ravenhill once said, “The self-sufficient do not pray, the self-satisfied
will not pray, the self-righteous cannot pray. No man is greater than his prayer life.”
Robert McCheyne said: “What a man is on his knees before God, that he is–and
nothing more.”
7) Luke — The Friend with the Specialized Talent.
Colossians 4:14 Luke the beloved physician …”
Luke wrote more of the New Testament than any other writer.
Luke wrote fifty-two of the chapters of the New Testament.
Here are two of the most impressive individuals in the entire Bible: Luke who
wrote the gospel of Luke and Acts and Paul who wrote 13 letters.
2 Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me.
8) Demas – The Friend with the Sad Future.
Colossians 4:14 “… and Demas greet you. ”
2 Timothy 4:10 Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life
and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone
to Dalmatia.
There is the sin before the sin is found out and exposed to the rest of the world.
Zechariah 13:6 And one will say to him, ‘What are these wounds between your
hands?’ Then he will answer, ‘Those with which I was wounded in the house of
my friends.
9) Nymphas — the Friend with Sincere Hospitality.
Colossians 4:15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and
the church that is in his house.
Colossians 4:15 (ESV) Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to
Nympha and the church in her house.
Colossians 4:16 Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also
in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
1 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you …”
10) Archippus — The Friend in need of Some Encouragement.
Colossians 4:17 And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you
have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love
which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the
saints, and do minister
by avministry | Jul 3, 2023 | Sermons
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Colossians 4:7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant
in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.
Colossians 4:8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may
know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,
Colossians 4:9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.
They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin
of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),
Colossians 4:11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers
for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a
comfort to me.
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you,
always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and
complete in all the will of God.
Colossians 4:13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those
who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.
Colossians 4:14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.
Colossians 4:15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and
the church that is in his house.
Colossians 4:16 Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also
in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
Colossians 4:17 And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have
received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
Colossians 4:18 This salutation by my own hand–Paul. Remember my chains.
Grace be with you. Amen.
1) Tychicus — The Friend with a Servant’s Heart.
Colossians 4:7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant
in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.
Colossians 4:7 “… fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.
Colossians 4:8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may
know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,
2) Onesimus is the Friend with the Sinful Past.
Colossians 4:9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.
They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free,
there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Ignatius, who is a pastor of the Smyrna church, wrote in his epistle to the
Ephesians these words at the beginning of his letter:
“I received therefore, your whole multitude in the name of God, through Onesimus,
a man of inexpressible love, and your bishop in the flesh whom I pray you by
Jesus Christ to love, and that you would all seek to be like him. And blessed be
He who has granted unto you, being worthy, to obtain such an excellent bishop.”
Ignatius in his epistle to the Antiochians writes in his benediction:
“Onesimus, the pastor of the Ephesians salutes you.”
3) Aristarchus: The Friend with a Sympathetic Heart.
Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin
of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),
It’s been said, “Your true friends are the ones who are walking in when
everyone esle is walking out.”
Gal 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
4) Mark — The Friend with the Surprising Future.
Colossians 4:10 “… with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received
instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), ”
Acts 13:13 Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga
in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.
Acts 15:37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark.
Acts 15:38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had
departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.
Acts 15:39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another.
And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;
Acts 15:40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren
to the grace of God.
2 Timothy 4:11 “… Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for
ministry.”
5) Jesus aka Justus — The Friend with the Strong Commitment.
Colossians 4:11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers
for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a
comfort to me.
Colossians 4:11 “… they have proved to be a comfort to me.”
Matthew 25:36 ” … I was in prison and you came to Me.’
Hebrews 13:3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them–those who are
mistreated–since you yourselves are in the body also.
Colossians 4:18 This salutation by my own hand–Paul. Remember my chains.
by avministry | Jun 27, 2023 | Sermons
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Colossians 4:2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
Colossians 4:3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door
for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,
Colossians 4:4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you
may know how you ought to answer each one.
Mark 4:11 And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery
of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables,
Revelation 22:14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may
have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
Revelation 22:15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and
murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
1 Thessalonians 4:12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside,
and that you may lack nothing.
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom
of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied
in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your
name?
Matthew 7: 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me,
you who practice lawlessness!’
The insiders must get out in order to get the outsiders in.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is … not willing that any should perish but that all should
come to repentance.
I. HOW TO PRAY AS AN INSIDER FOR OUTSIDERS.
Colossians 4:2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
Matthew 17:21 ” … This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.
Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same …
Colossians 4:2 (NLT) Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful
heart.
Colossians 4:2 (MESSAGE) Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide
open in gratitude.
Colossians 4:2 ” … with thanksgiving;
Life is like train tracks, there is always good and bad, going on at the same time.
Colossians 4:3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door
for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,
Colossians 4:4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
Acts 14:27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they
reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door
of faith to the Gentiles.
Acts 14:28 So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.
1 Corinthians 16:9, “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there
are many adversaries.”
2 Corinthians 2:12 “When I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door
was opened to me by the Lord,
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice
and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Lyrics “The Saivor is Waiting”
The Savior is waiting to enter your heart
Why don’t you let Him come in
There’s nothing in this world to keep you apart
What is your answer to Him
Time after time He has waited before
And now He is waiting again
To see if you’re willing to open the door
Oh how He wants to come in
Revelation 3:7 “… He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens:”
II. HOW TO LIVE AS AN INSIDER IN FRONT OF OUTSIDERS.
Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
The word for “redeem” means to buy up or grab the opportunity.
III. HOW TO SPEAK AS AN INSIDER TO OUTSIDERS.
Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you
may know how you ought to answer each one.
Colossians 4:6 “… that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
1 Peter 3:15 ” … Be ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you
a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear;
Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself
for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Philippians 4:18 “… a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing
to God.
by avministry | Jun 14, 2023 | Sermons
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