Feb 4, 2024
Measures of Growth
By: Phil Peacock
Series: Colossians & Us
The Apostle Paul had great faith that his letter recipients in Colossae were true believers, having “received Jesus Christ as Lord.” But then he went on to tell them how important it was for them to “continue to live in him,” descriptive of the discipleship process that brings a Christian to maturity.
Here’s how Paul defined Christian growth:
- “Rooted” in Christ to grow deeper.
- “Built Up” in Christ to grow higher.
- “Strengthened” in the faith to be more effective.
- “Overflowing” in thankfulness to grow wider.
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- Feb 4, 2024Measures of Growth
Feb 4, 2024Measures of GrowthBy: Phil PeacockSeries: Colossians & UsThe Apostle Paul had great faith that his letter recipients in Colossae were true believers, having “received Jesus Christ as Lord.” But then he went on to tell them how important it was for them to “continue to live in him,” descriptive of the discipleship process that brings a Christian to maturity. Here’s how Paul defined Christian growth:
- “Rooted” in Christ to grow deeper.
- “Built Up” in Christ to grow higher.
- “Strengthened” in the faith to be more effective.
- “Overflowing” in thankfulness to grow wider.
- Jan 28, 2024Paul’s Strange Aspirations
Jan 28, 2024Paul’s Strange AspirationsBy: Phil PeacockSeries: Colossians & UsColossians 1:23b-2:5 Most people aspire to things like greatness, fame, wealth or power. Or perhaps they desire above all to live a life of comfort and ease, being served by others. But in his letter to the believers in Colossae, the Apostle Paul revealed some of his strange aspirations.
- Paul aspired to serve the cause of the gospel. (1:23a, 25)
- Paul aspired to suffer for his brothers and sisters in Christ. (1:24)
- Paul aspired to struggle for the spiritual maturity of even those he had never met. (1:29-2:1)
- Paul aspired to depend fully on God’s strength. (1:29)
- Jan 21, 2024Christ Supreme!
Jan 21, 2024Christ Supreme!By: Phil PeacockSeries: Colossians & UsColossians 1:15-23 Christians often hold to inaccurate, or woefully incomplete, images of Jesus Christ. This has been true throughout the ages, even from the 1st century. As he wrote to the early believers in Colossae, the Apostle Paul felt it was important to challenge some of their misconceptions about Jesus the Messiah, and to exalt Him for who He really was … and IS!
- Jesus is One with God. (v.15)
- Jesus is the Creator. (v.16)
- Jesus is the Sustainer. (v.17)
- Jesus is the Redeemer & Reconciler. (vv.18-23)
- Jan 14, 2024How to Pray for Each Other
Jan 14, 2024How to Pray for Each OtherBy: Phil PeacockSeries: Colossians & UsColossians 1:1-14 The Apostle Paul wrote the letter of Colossians around 60 AD while he was imprisoned in Rome, making it one of his “Prison Epistles.” As far as we know, he did not plant the church in the small town of Colossae, nor had he ever visited there—but he wrote to them as brothers and sisters in Christ who mattered deeply to the Lord and himself. Paul’s truths about spiritual growth and the supremacy of Christ still speak to us today. From the opening passage, we can learn valuable lessons about how to properly pray for one another.
- Pray for each other with thanksgiving.
- Pray for each other’s spiritual health and growth.
- Pray for each other’s fruitfulness.
- Pray for each other’s strength and endurance.
- Pray that together we would grow in appreciation for the One who has “qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.”
- Jan 7, 2024Be Amazed!
Jan 7, 2024Be Amazed!By: Skip WallaceSeries: (All)Luke 7:1-10 During his earthly ministry, people were often amazed at Jesus. But there were also times when Jesus was amazed at people. The gospel of Luke records how Jesus was amazed at the faith of a Roman centurion who came to him seeking healing for his servant. Jesus used the centurion’s faith as a challenge to those who were standing around watching. The story challenges our faith, as well! Three Important Questions:
- Is Jesus amazed at my faith?
- Is Jesus amazed at my lack of faith?
- Is my faith helping anyone get healed?
- Dec 31, 2023Making the Most of 2024
Dec 31, 2023Making the Most of 2024By: Phil PeacockSeries: (All)Ephesians 5:8-21 The Apostle Paul’s instructions to the believers in Ephesus still provide great wisdom for us today, especially as we contemplate the dawning of a new year.
- Wake up! (v.14)
- Be careful and wise! (v.15)
- Make the most of every opportunity! (v.16)
- Understand the Lord’s will! (v.17)
- Be filled with the Holy Spirit! (v.18)
- Encourage one another! (vv.19a & 21)
- Praise the Lord! (vv.19b-20)
- Dec 24, 2023Saving the Best for Last
Dec 24, 2023Saving the Best for LastBy: Phil PeacockSeries: (All)Hebrews 1:1-4 Jesus has the best Proclamation. “But in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son…” Jesus has the best Position. “...whom He appointed heir of all things …” Jesus has the best Power. “...and through whom He made the universe.” Jesus is the best Picture. “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being ...” Jesus has the best Purpose. “He...provided purification for sins …”
- Dec 17, 2023Anna: A Message to Share
Dec 17, 2023Anna: A Message to ShareBy: Phil PeacockSeries: 3 Wise Women of ChristmasLuke 2:36-38 Only three verses in Luke’s nativity account speak about Anna, an elderly prophetess who encountered Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus at the temple. Though her life had not been easy, she overcame every obstacle in order to share with others the good news concerning God’s work of redemption.
- Anna wasn’t stopped by her personal hardships.
- She wasn’t stopped by her gender.
- She wasn’t stopped by her age.
- She had a message to share with all who would listen!
- Dec 10, 2023Mary: Real Faith in Action
Dec 10, 2023Mary: Real Faith in ActionBy: Phil PeacockSeries: 3 Wise Women of ChristmasLuke 1 & 2
- Real faith is always ready for the work of God.
- Real faith seeks to know the ways of God.
- Real faith submits to the will of God.
- Real faith celebrates the wonders of God.
- Dec 3, 2023Elizabeth: Opening the Door to Joy!
Dec 3, 2023Elizabeth: Opening the Door to Joy!By: Phil PeacockSeries: 3 Wise Women of ChristmasElizabeth, the wife of Zechariah the priest and relative of the virgin Mary, is one of the Wise Women of Christmas. From her story, we learn some valuable lessons about opening our lives to the joy of the Lord.
- Perception is not always reality. Elizabeth felt her life as a childless wife was a disgrace, but in reality God loved her and had a wonderful plan for her.
- Faithfulness and hope open the door to God’s blessings. Even when childless, Elizabeth continued to serve God with righteousness, and she never gave up hope in God’s loving-kindness.
- God rewards faithfulness with joy! Elizabeth experienced and shared the blessings of the Lord. They came through the birth of her son John the Baptist, and then through the arrival of God’s Messiah, Jesus.