by avministry | Mar 6, 2023 | Sermons
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Colossians 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,
Colossians 1:20 And by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether
things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of
His cross.
Colossians 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind
by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
Colossians 1:22 In the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and
blameless, and above reproach in His sight —
Colossians 1:23 If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast,
and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard,
which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became
a minister.
I. THE VARIOUS MEANINGS OF RECONCILIATION.
1 Corinthians 7:10 Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord:
A wife is not to depart from her husband.
1 Corinthians 7:11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be
reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.
Reconciliation can be defined as restored favor, goodwill, and friendly relations
between two parties formerly at odds with one another.
Reconciliation has been described as putting back together the pieces of a
broken vase.
Reconciliation has been defined as,”The restoration of trust in an interpersonal
relationship through mutual trustworthy.”
Reconciliation has also been defined in counseling “as mutually agreeing to
not proceed with divorce. ”
Colossians 1:18 ” … that in all things He may have the preeminence.
The Message translate this verse “He’s there towering far above everything,
everyone.., everything of God finds its proper place in Him.”
II. THE VICTORIOUS MEANS OF RECONCILIATION.
Colossians 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,
There is only one LIVING God.
But there have always been man-made gods.
Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Exodus 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the
Lord thy God am a jealous God,
1 Chronicles 16:25 For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is also to
be feared above all gods.
1 Chronicles 16:26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made
the heavens.
Acts 17:16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked
within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols.
1 Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the ONLY wise
God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 6:16 “… Who is the blessed and ONLY Potentate, the King of kings,
and Lord of lords;
1 Timothy 6:16 Who ONLY hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man
can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour
and power everlasting. Amen.
Jude 1:4 “… the ONLY Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jude 1:25 To the ONLY wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion
and power, both now and ever. Amen.
John 1:16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.
Colossians 1:20 And by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether
things on earth or things in heaven, …
Colossians 1:20 “… having made peace through the blood of His cross.”
Song lyrics “Written in Red”
God wrote His love on the hillside so long ago
For you and me Jesus died, and love’s greatest story was told
I love you, I love you that’s what Calvary said;
I love you, I love you, Written in Red.
III. THE VIRTUOUS MARKS OF RECONCILIATION.
Colossians 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind
by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled.
1. RECONCILIATION DEALS WITH OUR PROBLEM.
I am friend of God, He calls me friend
What a friend we have in Jesus
2. RECONCILIATION DEALS WITH OUR POSTION.
Colossians 1:22 In the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and
blameless, and above reproach in His sight —
3. RECONCILIATION DEALS WITH OUR PERSERVERANCE.
Colossians 1:23 If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast,
and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard,
which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became
a minister.
IV. THE VALUABLE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION.
2 Corinthians 5:18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself
through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
2 Corinthians 5:19 That is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself,
not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of
reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God
were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to
God.
by avministry | Feb 26, 2023 | Sermons
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Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that
are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities
or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
Colossians 1:17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Colossians 1:18 “… that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Colossians 1:18 (YOUNG)”that he might become in all things –himself–first,”
Colossians 1:18 (AMPC) “and in every respect might occupy the chief place.”
1. JESUS IS FIRST IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE FATHER.
Colossians 1:15 “He is the image of the invisible God, …”
John 1:18 “No one has seen God at any time.”
Exodus 33:20 “… no man can see Me and live!”
1 John 4:12 “No one has seen God at any time.”
John 4:24 “God is a Spirit: …”
Luke 24:39 “… Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones
as you see I have.”
John 1:18 (NIV) No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is
himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
Colossians 1:15 “He is the image of the invisible God, …”
2. JESUS IS FIRST IN RELATIONSHIP TO HIS CREATION.
Colossians 1:15 He is … the firstborn over all creation.
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that
are on earth, visible …
3. JESUS IS FIRST IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE UNSEEN WORLD.
Colossians 1:16 “… invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities
or powers.
4. JESUS IS FIRST IN RELATIONSHIP TO INHERITING ALL THINGS.
Colossians 1:16 “… All things were created through Him and for Him.
Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,”
says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children
of God.
Romans 8:16 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ,
Colossians 3:24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the
inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
5. JESUS IS FIRST IN RELATIONSHIP TO SUSTAINING ALL THINGS.
Colossians 1:17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
U.S. climate envoy John Kerry told a group of attendees this year at the World
Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland (quote)
When you stop and think about it, it’s pretty extraordinary that we select group
of human beings because of whatever touched us at some point in our lives, are
able to sit in a room and come together and actually talk about saving the planet,’
It’s so… almost extra-terrestrial to think about, “saving the planet.” If you say
that to most people most people, they think you’re just a crazy tree hugging and
lefty liberal, you know, do-gooder, whatever.’
2 Corinthians 10:17 (MSG) “If you want to claim credit, claim it for God.”
2 Corinthians 10:17 (VOICE) “The one who boasts must boast in the Lord.”
Deism is a theory that believes in the existence of a supreme being and in a
creator who does not intervene in the universe.
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the
heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent
heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
6. JESUS IS FIRST IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE CHURCH.
Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning,
The Jesus in me would come together with the Jesus in you to trust and obey
the mind of Christ as contained in the Scriptures.
7. JESUS IS FIRST IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE RESSURECTION
Colossians 1:18 “… the firstborn from the dead …”
Revelation 1:18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive
forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
8. JESUS IS FIRST IN RELATIONSHIP TO EVERYTHING PERIOD.
Colossians 1:18 “… that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Colossians 1:18 (NASB) “… so that He Himself will come to have first place in
everything.
by avministry | Feb 19, 2023 | Sermons
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Colossians 1:9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease
to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will
in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Colossians 1:10 That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being
fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Colossians 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power,
for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers
of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and
conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness
of sins.
Romans 1:22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
Colossians 1:9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease
to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will
in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit
of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they
are spiritually discerned.
Romans 12:2 (NLT) “… Let God transform you into a new person by changing
the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you,
Colossians 1:10 “That you may walk worthy of the Lord, …”
Colossians 2:6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk
in Him,
Colossians 3:7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path.
1 Thessalonians 2:12 That you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His
own kingdom and glory.
Ephesians 4:1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy
of the calling with which you were called,
I. A LIFE WORTH LIVING TRIES TO BE FULLY PLEASING TO HIM.
Colossians 1:10 “That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, …”
John 8:29 “… for I do always those things that please him.
II. A LIFE WORTH LIVING IS A LIFE THAT BEARS FRUIT.
Colossians 1:10 ‘…being fruitful in every good work …”
The fruit is merely an outward expression of the inner nature of that tree.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness,
Galatians 5:23 gentleness, self-control.
Psalm 1:3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth
its fruit in its season,…
III. A LIFE WORTH LIVING INCREASES IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD.
Colossians 1:10 ‘…being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge
of God;
Prayer request from Natalie Arn former missionary:
“Please pray for my upcoming doctor appointment and for wisdom in testing.
We need to find the source of the ongoing pain and problems, and if possible,
to correct it. We need wisdom, though, to know what testing is truly necessary.
My oncologist told me that the more we look, the more we’ll find (meaning tumors
and growths). Scans often bring health risks of their own, not to mention their
expense and time. I don’t want to be distracted from my family by constant
doctor appointments and tests. I also don’t want to be tied down to the
medical system for the rest of my life. On the other hand, I want to lean
into all the Lord is doing through my physical issues. He sees the big picture.
I want to be a light in this dark world and share Christ wherever He sends me,
even if that means that doctors’ clinics and cancer hospitals are my mission
field now. Plus, any investigation the doctors do with me helps to gain knowledge
and information for our kids to help them potentially avoid cancer. We need
wisdom in all these things.” .
IV. A LIFE WORTH LIVING ENDURES WITH POWER WHEN TROUBLE COMES.
Colossians 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power,
for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
V. A LIFE WORTH LIVING GIVES THANKS CONTINUALLY.
Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers
of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
1. JESUS RESCUED US FROM DARKNESS.
Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed
us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
2 Corinthians 4:4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe,
Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
Jude 1:13 “… for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.”
2. JESUS TRANSFERRED US TO THE KINGDOM OF HIS LOVE.
Colossians 1:13 “… and conveyted us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
3. JESUS REMOVED THE PENALTY FOR OUR SINS.
Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness
of sins.
John 15:13 “Greater love has no man than this that a man lay down his life for his
friends.”
2 Corinthians 5:15 And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer
for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
by avministry | Feb 16, 2023 | Blog
The Moabite Stone, also known as the Mesha Stele, is a large slab of basalt that has provided linguists and historians with the most significant source of the Moabite language to date. The stele was discovered in fragments in 1868, about 15 miles east of the Dead Sea, and is now housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris. Despite its discovery over a century ago, it wasn’t until recently that scholars have been able to confirm with a high degree of certainty that the slab contains references to King David.
The Mesha Stele features a detailed account of King Mesha of Moab’s battle with Israel. The description in the stele corresponds, albeit loosely, with a similar account in 2 Kings chapter 3. Although the text contains references to the Israelite god, it also features allusions to the “House of David” and the “Altar of David.” Previously, scholars were unsure about how to interpret these references to King David.
The Moabite phrase “House of David” is composed of five letters: bt dwd. The first and fourth letters were already clear, but the other three were not. Recently, researchers André Lemaire and Jean-Philippe Delorme re-examined the evidence and were able to uncover the remaining letters through a method called Reflectance Transformation Imaging. This technique involved taking new digital photographs of the restored stele and the paper squeeze and combining them to create a precise, three-dimensional digital rendering of the piece. By using this method, the researchers were able to see previously hidden, faint, or worn incisions that revealed the letters taw, dalet, and dalet.
The new findings provide compelling evidence that the Mesha Stele contains explicit references to King David. This discovery is significant not only for biblical studies but also for historical and linguistic research.
More About the Moabite Stone:
Moabite Stone
The Moabite Stone, also known as the Mesha Stele, is a large slab of basalt that was discovered in Jordan in 1868 by a German missionary named Frederick Augustus Klein. The stone dates back to the 9th century BCE and is covered in an inscription that provides valuable insights into the history and culture of the ancient kingdom of Moab.
The Moabite Stone is over four feet tall and is inscribed with about 1,000 lines of text in the Moabite language, which is a dialect of Canaanite. The text describes the reign of King Mesha of Moab, who successfully rebelled against the Israelites and restored the kingdom of Moab.
The Moabite Stone is significant for several reasons. It is one of the most important archaeological finds of the 19th century and has provided scholars with valuable insights into the history and culture of the ancient Near East. Additionally, it is one of the few sources of information on the Moabite language, which was spoken in the ancient kingdom of Moab.
The Moabite Stone also provides insights into the relationship between the Moabites and the Israelites. The text describes King Mesha’s rebellion against the Israelites and contains references to the Israelite god, as well as the “House of David,” which was the dynasty that ruled the kingdom of Judah in the southern part of Israel.
Recent discoveries related to the Moabite Stone have further enhanced our understanding of this important historical document. In 2018, researchers from the Louvre Museum used a technique called Reflectance Transformation Imaging to uncover previously hidden inscriptions on the stone. This method involves taking digital photographs of the stone from different angles and combining them to create a precise, three-dimensional digital rendering of the piece.
In conclusion, the Moabite Stone is a fascinating and valuable artifact that provides valuable insights into the history and culture of the ancient Near East. Its discovery and decipherment have greatly contributed to our understanding of the Moabite language and its relationship to ancient Hebrew. The recent discoveries related to the Moabite Stone have opened up new avenues of research and promise to further our understanding of this important historical document.
by avministry | Feb 14, 2023 | Sermons
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Colossians 1:9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease
to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will
in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Colossians 1:10 That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being
fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Colossians 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power,
for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers
of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and
conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness
of sins.
I. INTERCEDING MEANS PRAYING FOR ONE ANOTHER AS ONE.
Colossians 1:9 “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease
to pray for you, …”
Ephesians 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in
one hope of your calling;
Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism;
Ephesians 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all,
and in you all.
John 17:20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in
Me through their word;
John 17:21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You;
that they also may be one in Us,
Romans 8:34 “… It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even
at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Lyrics “And He’s ever interceding”
And He’s ever interceding, to the Father for His children;
Yes, He’s ever interceding, to the Father for His own;
Through Him you can reach the Father, So, bring Him all your heavy burdens;
Yes, for you He’s interceding, So, come boldly to the throne.
Hebrews 13:18 Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience,
in all things desiring to live honorably.
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you,
always laboring fervently for you in prayers, …”
II. INTERCEDING MEANS PRAYING FOR SAINTS DOING WELL.
Colossians 1:9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease
to pray for you, …
Colossians 1:4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for
all the saints;
Romans 15:30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through
the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me,
John 15:5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.
John 15:6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been
in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”
John 15:8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.”
John 15:9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.
John 15:14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you
have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”
Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.
Matthew 12:43 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through
dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.
Matthew 12:44 Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.
’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.
Matthew 12:45 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked
than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is
worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”
III. INTERCEDING FOR SAINTS MEANS NOT CEASING TO PRAY.
Colossians 1:9 ” … we do not cease to pray for you …”
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing,
Scripture records that out of approximately 667 recorded prayers in the Bible,
there are about 454 recorded answers.
Dwight Spurgeon said, “As you are tempted without ceasing, so pray without ceasing.”
Matthew 6:13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
IV. INTERCEDING MEANS PRAYING FOR OTHERS TO BE FILLED.
Colossians 1:9 “… and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will
Psalm 23:5 ” … My cup runs over.”
Colossians 1:9 “… and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will
in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Isaiah 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth
shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
Luke 13:4 “… Those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do
you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?
Luke 13:5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not … willing that any should perish but that all should
come to repentance.
Turkey the country where Colossae originally was is the least Christian nation
in all the earth.
They say there are only a few thousand Christians in Turkey.
Carl Henry said, “The gospel is only good news if it gets there in time.”
Jude 1:22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction;
Jude 1:23 But others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, …
Rescue the perishing, Care for the dying, Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Reporter’s question: “What made you decide to volunteer to do this?”
Rescue worker’s answer: “It’s for humanity. We’re all humans. I’m doing my
best to save a life, even one if I can.”
All scripture is from the NKJV or specified otherwise.
