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.
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.
Colossians 1:3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
praying always for you,
Colossians 1:4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for
all the saints;
Colossians 1:5 Because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which
you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,
Colossians 1:6 Which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is
bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew
the grace of God in truth;
Colossians 1:7 As you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant,
who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf,
Colossians 1:8 Who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
I. PRAYING LIKE PAUL.
Colossians 1:3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
praying always for you,
It’s been said, “The best way to really get to know somebody is to hear
them pray.”
II. THANKING GOD FOR YOUR FAITH.
Colossians 1:4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for
all the saints;
III. LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR HEAVENLY HOPE.
Colossians 1:5 Because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, …”
Colossians 1:5 “… of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,”
Revelation 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having
the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth–to every nation,
tribe, tongue, and people —
Colossians 1:6 Which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is
bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew
the grace of God in truth;
Acts 12:24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.
IV. SINGING THE PRAISES OF THE UNSUNG.
Colossians 1:7 As you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant,
who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf,
Colossians 1:8 Who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
The greatest ministry comes from the deepest pain.
2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
2 Corinthians 1:4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to
comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves
are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT) He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort
others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort
God has given us.
Acts 9:5 And he [Paul] said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am
Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
Galatians 1:13 “… I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried
to destroy it.
1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be
called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
Philippians 3:6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church;
Philemon 1:23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,
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.
Romans 1:14 I am a debtor …”
I am in debt to those who shared the gospel with me, and I’m in debt to share
the gospel with others.
Colossians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy
our brother,
Colossians 1:2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Over and over in Colossians Paul speaks of “Living the Christ-Centered Life”
In this letter, Paul writes of “Christ, who is our life,” (3:4) that “your life is hidden
with Christ.”(3:3) and “in Him you have been made complete.”(2:10)
Paul speaks of “the mystery that is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (1:27)
Also that “In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”(2:3)
He proclaims “the stability of your faith in Christ.”(3:5)
So “we are to walk in Him, (2:6) be built up in Him.”(2:7)
You are to “let the peace of Christ, … rule in your hearts” (3:15) and you are to
“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you” (3:16) because “It is the Lord Christ
whom you serve.”(3:24) so “whatever you do, do heartily, as for the Lord (3:23)
He states that “Christ is all, and in all.” (3:11)
We are “to please Him in all respects,”(1:10) because “He Himself will come
to have first place in everything.”(1:18)
Paul speaks of being “in chains” (4:3), he speaks of “my fellow prisoner”(4:10)
He concludes this letter by saying “Remember my imprisonment” (4:18)
Yet Paul is a prisoner of hope
Paul speaks of “the hope of the gospel” (1:23) and “the hope which is laid up
for you in heaven, (1:5) and again, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (1:27)
Colossians 4:18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand.
I. PAUL’S AUTHORSHIP.
Colossians 1:1 Paul, …”
The controversial final Jeopardy clue on November 16, 2022 under the category
“The New Testament was:
“Paul’s letter to them is the New Testament epistle with the most Old Testament
quotations.”
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God …”
II. PAUL’S APOSTLESHIP.
Colossians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,…
A job is something that you choose a calling is something that God chooses
for you.
John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you …”
III. PAUL’S ASSOCIATE.
Colossians 1:1 “… and Timothy our brother,”
IV. PAUL’S AUDIENCE.
1) THE SAINTS.
Colossians 1:2 To the saints …”
2) FAITHFUL BRETHREN IN CHRIST.
Colossians 1:2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse:
The Bible speaks of ” faithful in all things ” ” faithful children ” ” faithful brother ”
” faithful unto death ” ” a faithful minister in Christ ” ” faithful brethren in Christ ”
” a faithful and beloved brother ” “the faithful servant ” ” the faithful witness ”
“faithful in that which is least is faithful in much also.”
All of our relationships are based upon our faithfulness.
Colossians 1:2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse:
The house church in Colossae couldn’t have been more than 30 or 40 people.
V. PAUL’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
Colossians 1:2 “… Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ.”
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith …
Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Romans 10:15 “… How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of
peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Hell is a place where there will be no grace, there will be no peace and
there will be no hope.
Luke 2:39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
Luke 2:40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom;
and the grace of God was upon Him.
Luke 2:41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.
Luke 2:42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem
according to the custom of the feast.
Luke 2:43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus
lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it;
Luke 2:44 But supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s
journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances.
Luke 2:45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.
Dr. Paul Rusking described the case study patient under his care like this:
“The patient neither speaks nor comprehends the spoken word. Sometimes
she babbles incoherently for hours on end. She is disoriented about person,
place, and time. She does, however respond to her name. I have worked with
her for the past six months, but she still shows complete disregard for her physical
appearance and makes no effort to assist her own care. She must be fed, bathed
and clothed by others.
Her food must be pureed. Her shirt is usually soiled from almost incessant drooling.
She does not walk. Her sleep pattern is erratic. Often she wakes in the middle of the
night and her screaming awakens others. Most of the time she is friendly and happy,
but several times a day she gets quite agitated without apparent cause. Then she
wails until someone comes to comfort her.”
I. ARE WE GROWING AS CHRISTIANS?
Luke 2:40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom;
and the grace of God was upon Him.
Luke 2:41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.
Luke 2:42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according
to the custom of the feast.
Jesus at age 12 is on the cusp of adulthood, in the last year that could be
identified as childhood because at 13 Jewish males were considered adults.
II. ARE WE RIGHT WITH THE LORD?
Luke 2:43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered
behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it;
Luke 2:44 But supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s
journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances.
Luke 2:45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.
One of the saddest things on earth is for a person to think they’re right with God
when they’re not.
Judges 16:20 “… So he awoke from his sleep, and said, “I will go out as before,
at other times, and shake myself free!” But he did not know that the Lord had
departed from him.
We know that the Lord hadn’t left Samson but Samson had left the Lord.
III. ARE WE SEEKING JESUS’ FOR UNDERSTANDING AND ANSWERS?
Luke 2:46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting
in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
Luke 2:47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
The Voice of the Child
Come listen awhile to the voice of a Child
Stand in awe of the wisdom of God
Hear what He has to say
For the time is today
You can come or just walk away
Luke 2:48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him,
“Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You
anxiously.”
Luke 2:49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I
must be about My Father’s business?”
Luke 2:50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.
Luke 2:51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was
subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.
IV. ARE WE BALANCED CHRISTIANS?
Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God
and men.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld
his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
1 John 2:6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He
walked.
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
