by avministry | May 2, 2023 | Sermons
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Colossians 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are
above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear
with Him in glory.
I. OUR POSITION: CRUCIFIED, BURIED, AND RAISED WITH CHRIST.
Colossians 3:3 For you died, …”
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ
lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son
of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Colossians 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ …”
Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,
He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies
through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Jesus be Jesus in me,
No longer me but Thee.
Resurrection power,
Fill me this hour,
Jesus be Jesus in me.
II. OUR PROTECTION: HID WITH CHRIST.
Colossians 3:3 “… and your life is hid with Christ in God.
III. OUR PRACTICE: SEEK THOSE THINGS ABOVE.
Colossians 3:1 ” … seek those things which are above, …”
Colossians 3:1 “… seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at
the right hand of God.
Everything we seek is there in heaven, because Jesus is there.
Ephesians 2:6 And raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly
places in Christ Jesus,
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.
Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 2:5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, …”
Philippians 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven,…”
IV. OUR PRESSURE: SEEK NOT THOSE THINGS BELOW.
Colossians 3:2 “Set your mind … not on things on the earth.
Luke 12:15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for
one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
We’re so busy keeping up with the Jones’
A four car garage and we’re still building on
Luke 12:15 (PHILLIPS) For a man’s real life in no way depends upon the number
of his possessions.”
Matthew 6:19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, …”
Elizabeth Elliot (Quote)
Elizabeth Elliot said, “Heaven is not here, it’s there! If we were given all we
wanted here, our hearts would settle for this world rather than the next.”
V. OUR PROVISION: CHRIST IS OUR LIFE.
Colossians 3:4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear
with Him in glory.
Shatner said, “GET A LIFE, will you people? I mean, for crying out loud, it’s just a
TV show! I mean, look at you, look at the way you’re dressed! You’ve turned an
enjoyable little job, that I did as a lark for a few years, into a COLOSSAL WASTE
OF TIME!”
One film fanatic said, “Film is a substitute for life. Film is a form of living. As a
film lover you have to accept that— that is normal for you. It’s not pathological.”
John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
John 14:3 “… I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive
you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
by avministry | Apr 22, 2023 | Sermons
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Colossians 2:18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility
and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly
puffed up by his fleshly mind,
Colossians 2:19 And not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished
and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.
Colossians 2:20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the
world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations–
Colossians 2:21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,”
Colossians 2:22 Which all concern things which perish with the using–according
to the commandments and doctrines of men?
Colossians 2:23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed
religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the
indulgence of the flesh.
Colossians 2:18 Let no one cheat you of your reward,…”
I. MORE EXTREME EXAMPLES.
1) EXTREME SELF-HUMILIATION.
Colossians 2:18 “… taking delight in false humility …
Colossians 2:23 “… false humility …”
Colossians 2:23 (Amp) “… they delight in self-humiliation …”
2) EXTREME SELF-FABRICATIONS.
Colossians 2:18 “… and worship of angels, intruding into those things which
he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
Colossians 2:18 “… and worship of angels …”
2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming
themselves into apostles of Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an
angel of light.
Revelation 22:8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and
saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these
things.
Revelation 22:9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow
servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of
this book. Worship God.
Matthew 12:39 But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous
generation seeks after a sign …”
3) EXTREME SELF-REGULATIONS.
Colossians 2:20 “… Do you subject yourselves to regulations–
Colossians 2:21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,”
Colossians 2:23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in
self-imposed religion …”
Here are some of the rules and regulations that must be followed by those
families who are part of the Institute in Basic Life Principles:
Women are expected to wear ankle-length dresses and to never cut their hair;
The presence of text printed onto dresses is not allowed, as it is thought to bring
attention to the body.
Wearing makeup, perfume, nail polish and high heels, is seen as lustful.
Women are also discouraged from attaining a higher education.
Men are expected to wear dark suits and white shirts, and blue jeans are seen
as ungodly.
Males are clean-shaven and short-haired.
Men are also expected to be circumcised, as being uncircumcised is seen as
being unpure.
The consumption of media, such as television, movies, most music and the
internet, is not allowed, though non-contemporary Christian music is accepted.
Dancing is not allowed, and the consumption of alcohol is also banned.
They practice chaperoned courtship, in which a couple becomes acquainted
only in a group setting
John 17:15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You
should keep them from the evil one.
4) EXTREME SELF-INFLICTION.
Colossians 2:23 “… and neglect of the body,
Colossians 2:23 (NASB) “… severe treatment of the body …”
Colossians 2:23 (NIV) “… their harsh treatment of the body …”
5) EXTREME SELF-MUTIALATION.
Matthew 19:12 For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s
womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are
eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake.
He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.”
II. OBVIOUS ANSWERS TO EXTREME EXAMPLES.
1) DON’T LOSE CONNECTIONS WITH THE HEAD.
Colossians 2:19 And not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body,
nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase
that is from God.
2) DON’T LIVE FOR THE WRONG WORLD.
Colossians 2:20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the
world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations–
3) DON’T SEEK THE WRONG HELP.
Colossians 2:23 (NLT) These rules may seem wise because they require strong
devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no
help in conquering a person’s evil desires.
Christianity is not a religion of rules and regulatons but of a living relationship
with Jesus Christ.
by avministry | Apr 10, 2023 | Sermons
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Luke 7:11 Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain;
and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.
Luke 7:12 And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was
being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large
crowd from the city was with her.
Luke 7:13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her,
Do not weep.
Luke 7:14 Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried
him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.”
Luke 7:15 So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented
him to his mother.
Luke 7:16 Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great
prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.”
Luke 7:17 And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding
region.
I. THE TOWN SETTING: ONE FUNERAL, TWO PROCESSIONS.
Luke 7:11 Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain;
and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.
Pastor Lindell said “As the ladies prayed for Krissy Dines over the next 30 minutes,
all three toes grew, and by that point, were longer than her pinky toe. Within an
hour, nails began to grow on all the toes,”
Luke 7:12 And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was
being carried out,…”
Luke 7:12 ” … a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother;
and she was a widow .
Jeremiah 6:26 “O daughter of my people, dress in sackcloth and roll about in ashes!
Make mourning as for an only son, most bitter lamentation …”
Amos 8:10 “I will make it like mourning for an only son, and its end like a bitter day.”
Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants
of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom
they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and
grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.
Luke 7:12″… And a large crowd from the city was with her.
II. THE COMPASSIONATE SAVIOR: ONE MIRACLE, MANY WITNESSES.
Luke 7:13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her,
Do not weep.
Deuteronomy 4:31 For the LORD your God is a compassionate God;
Psalm 116:5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate.
2 Corinthians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort
Matthew 9:36 Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them,
Matthew 20:34 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes;
Mark 1:41 Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him
Luke 7:13 “… and said to her, “Do not weep.”
Luke 7:14 Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried
him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.”
Luke 7:15 So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented
him to his mother.
Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for
evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
III. THE FEARFUL RESPONSE: ONE CONFESSION, MULTIPLE REPORTS.
Luke 7:16 Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great
prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.”
Luke 19:44 “… you did not know the time of your visitation.”
Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your trespasses … He has made
alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,
Romans 3:11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.
Luke 19:10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Luke 7:17 And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the
surrounding region.
by avministry | Apr 2, 2023 | Sermons
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Colossians 2:11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made
without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision
of Christ,
Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him
through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision
of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all
trespasses,
Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us,
which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Colossians 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew
of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
I. OUR POSITION IN CHRIST IS ONE OF COMPLETE SURGERY.
Colossians 2:11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made
without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision
of Christ,
Acts 15:1 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren,
Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot
be saved.”
The Jewish Talmud says, “The commandment of circumcision is more important
than all the other injunctions of Scripture.”
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of
yourselves; it is the gift of God,
Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Luke 2:21 And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child,
His name was called Jesus …”
Psalm 51:5 “… in sin my mother conceived me.”
1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die,
Romans 4:9 Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or
upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham
for righteousness.
Romans 4:10 How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or
uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised.
Romans 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness
of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of
all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be
imputed to them also,
Romans 4:12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the
circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham
had while still uncircumcised.
Colossians 2:11 (Phillips) In Christ, you were circumcised, not by any physical act,
but by being set free from the sins of the flesh by virtue of Christ’s circumcision.
II. OUR POSITION IN CHRIST IS ONE OF COMPLETE IDENTITY.
Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him
through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision
of your flesh, …”
Colossians 2:13 “… He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you
all trespasses,
III. OUR POSITION IN CHRIST IS ONE OF COMPLETE IMMUNITY.
Colossians 2:13 … having forgiven you all trespasses;
Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us,
which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
IV. OUR POSITION IN CHRIST IS ONE OF COMPLETE VICTORY.
Colossians 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew
of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
1) SATAN HAS BEEN DISARMED.
Colossians 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers,
2) SATAN HAS BEEN DISGRACED.
Colossians 2:15 … he made a shew of them openly …
Robert Payne book called “The Roman Triumph.” (quote)
“For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed
the honor of a triumph. In the procession came trumpeters and musicians and
strange animals from the conquered territories, together with carts laden with
treasure and captured armaments. The conqueror rode in a triumphal chariot,
and the dazed prisoners walked in front of him. Sometimes his children, robed
in white, stood with him in the chariot, or rode the trace horses.”
3) SATAN HAS BEEN DEFEATED.
Colossians 2:15 … triumphing over them in it.
Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in
heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
by avministry | Mar 26, 2023 | Sermons
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Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty
deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of
the world, and not according to Christ.
Colossians 2:9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
Colossians 2:10 And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality
and power.
I. WHAT IS THE WARNING OF PHILOSOPHY?
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you …”
Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing,
but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
Philippians 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!
Colossians 2:8 (Amplified) See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes
you yourselves captive …”
Matthew 23:15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel
land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice
as much a son of hell as yourselves.
2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there
will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies,
even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.
2 Peter 2:2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way
of truth will be blasphemed.
1 John 4:1 “… many false prophets have gone out into the world
II. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF PHILOSOPHY?
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy …
Can someone who believes life has no meaning lead a meaningful life?
III. WHEN IS PHILOSOPHY DECEIVING?
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty
deceit, …”
John 8:44 “He … does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.
When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the
father of it.”
Question: Why do people have to tell lies?
Answer: Usually it’s because they want something. They are afraid the truth
won’t get it for them.
Lyrics
Girls will be boys and boys will be girls
It’s a mixed up, muddled up, shook up world,
IV. WHERE DO PHILOSOPHIES COME FROM?
#1 – Tradition.
Colossians 2:8 “… according to the tradition of men, …”
Colossians 2:8 (NLT) ” … high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking
Philosophy is the best humans can come up with if they don’t believe in God.
Mark 2:7 “… Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
1 Peter 1:18 “… your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,
Deuteronomy 12:32 “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you
shall not add to it nor take away from it.”
It’s subtraction by addition.
We subtract God’s word and add in it’s place man’s word.
1 Corinthians 8:1 … Knowledge puffs up …
# 2 – Rudiments of the world.
Colossians 2:8 “… according to the basic principles of the world, and not according
to Christ.
A recent poll showed that 40% of Americans had a favorable view of socialism.
Charles Spurgeon writes:
You will philosophize men into hell, but never into heaven.
Colossians 2:8 “… and not according to Christ.
Surveys reveal that the main objection currently that people have to Christianity
is intolerance.
2 Peter 3:9 “… Not willing that any should perish but that all should come to
repentance.
V. WHAT IS THE ANSWER TO PHILOSOPHY?
Colossians 2:9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
Colossians 2:10 And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality
and power.
Lyrics “He’s All You Need” by Steve Camp
When you’re alone, your heart is torn, He is all you need.
When you’re confused, your soul is bruised, He is all you need.
He’s the rock of your soul, He’s the anchor that holds
Through your desperate time.
When your way is unsure His love will endure, a peace you will find
Through all your years, the joy, the tears, He is all you need.
