Themes of Colossians Chapter One – Part Two

²⁰ And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

Making peace . Peace means to pacify or to stop hostilities. Jesus pacified the anger of God against the sin of mankind. But he also supplied a peace either freely accepted or compulsorily imposed. In this way we understand that he made peace. Making peace is like making your bed. It will not happen by itself. You have to take appropriate action to get it done.

Blood of his cross.

• Romans 3:25 propitiation through faith in his blood,
  Romans 5:9 justified by his blood,
  Ephesians 1:6-7 redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins
  Ephesians 2:13 made nigh by the blood of Christ.
  Hebrews 13:11-12 sanctify the people with his own blood.

Reconcile all things unto himself. (restore, make consistent, cause to submit, check)

• Note that Things are reconciled to God, not God reconciled to things 2 Cor. 5:19
• Things in earth (nature, sinners)
• Things in heaven (not fallen angels since they are already reserved unto judgment. 2 Peter 2:4.) These must be saints of ages prior to Christ’s coming since they were justified by faith, yet not cleansed by the blood of Jesus. (1 Timothy 5:24; Galatians 3:13-14)

This passage has been used by Universalist Unitarians to show that ultimately, everyone will be saved regardless of faith. John 8:24 says, “ I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he , ye shall die in your sins.”Also, 1 Corinthians 15:14-19 states, ¹⁴ And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.”

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind  by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled ²² In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

You were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind. Because of the original sin of Adam, we lost our relationship with God. Again, we now fight against many pagan ideas that seek to deify man and erase the concept of sin. (Romans 6:23; Psalm 51:5)

We are also now bombarded with the idea that all living things are alike and have equal value. That is, animals, plants and mankind are essentially the same. The Bible teaches us differently. Genesis 1:26-30 says, “ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. ²⁷ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. ²⁸ And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. ²⁹ And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. ³⁰ And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so”. In addition, many scriptures instruct man to slay animals for blood sacrifices.

The “ Green ” agenda is to break the dominion God has give man over the earth.

Anyone who has studied the global green movement has no doubt heard of “Gaia”. Believers in Gaia, or ‘Gaians’ as they often refer to themselves, claim that the earth is a sentient super-being, an ancient goddess spirit, deserving of worship and reverence. Sir James Lovelock, in his book Gaia: ‘A new look at Life’, states that “all of the lifeforms on this planet are a part of Gaia - part of one spirit goddess that sustains life on earth. Since this transformation into a living system the interventions of Gaia have brought about the evolving diversity of living creatures on planet Earth.” Gaians teach that the “Earth Goddess”, or Mother Earth, must be protected from destructive human activity. It is this belief that fuels the environmental movement, sustainable development, and a global push for the return of industrialized nations to a more primitive way of life.

Gaia worship is at the very heart of the Global Green Agenda. Sustainable Development, Agenda 21, the Earth Charter, and the Global Warming theory are all part of the Gaians mission to save “Mother Earth” from her human infestation. Gaians have succeeded in uniting the environmental movement, the new age movement, Eastern religions, the United Nations and even the leaders of many Christian denominations behind this vile new form of paganism.

“The earth is not dead matter. She is alive.
Now begin to speak to the earth as you walk.
You can speak out loud, or just talk to her in your mind.
Send your love into her with your exhalation. Feel your
heart touching upon the heart of the planet. Say to her
whatever words come to you: Mother Earth, I love you.
Mother Earth, I bless you. May you be healed. May all
your creatures be happy. Peace to you, Mother Earth.
On behalf of the human race, I ask forgiveness
for having injured you. Forgive us, Mother Earth”
- “Prayer to the Earth”, Student Textbook

In the body of his flesh through death. The literal body of Jesus was nailed to a cross and he shed literal, physical, tangible red blood. Here are some false views of the crucifixion taught by some people today:

• Murder Jesus was slain against his will
• Suicide Jesus killed himself
• Symbolic The cross symbolizes universal repression
• Figurative The cross only illustrates God’s love for man
• Virtual The cross was not real . It exists only in the minds of people.
• Metaphysical The cross is abstract, not material , without substance
• Metaphorical Rhetorical, a figure of speech .
• Simulated An act of deception contrived by Jesus and/or his disciples.

Here is the definitive teaching of the Bible about the crucifixion. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 “ Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; ² By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. ³ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

Present you. The church will be presented in heaven (Ephesians 5:27)
Holy and unblameable and unreproveable. Legal terms signifying that no premise or pretext exists whereby we could be summoned to court. We may be falsely accused, but we cannot be arrested, booked or charged, let alone be called before a judge.

²³ If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

If ye continue in the faith. This may be the strongest disclaimer of the eternal security doctrine.

“Critics of the “once saved, always saved” doctrine claim that it gives Christians a license to sin. They presume that those who believe in eternal security intend to accept salvation, and then continue to willingly sin. This is inaccurate, because anyone who has been truly saved is a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17), has the conviction of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 1 Thessalonians 4:8), and now wants to live for Christ. Someone who continues to willingly and blatantly live in sin has not truly accepted Christ (1 John 2:19; 1 John 3:6; James 1:26). While this false belief may be held by some, it is not a part of the teachings of any true Christian church (Romans 3:8). A person who willingly, humbly, repents of sin and turns towards the cross, trusting Christ as their Savior, will be saved (Acts 16:31; John 6:37; John 14:6). That salvation is once and for all, eternal, and secure. Those who truly trust in Christ are saved once, and saved always.”

Despite the above claims, the only security the believer has is conditional . “If ye continue means nothing if it doesn’t mean what is says of its face. For eternal security to be true, this scripture would have to read, “Even if ye do not continue…” (1 Timothy 6:12; 19-20; Hebrews 3:14; 4:14; Romans 8:13-14; 11:21-22)

Grounded and settled. These are two characteristics of the seasoned believer . Contrast this with Acts 17:16-21.

Be not moved away from the hope. There are enticements and theological novelties that come along and try to draw you off course . 1 Timothy 4:1 “ Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”

Every creature. A reference to male and female, bond and free, Jew or Gentile. It does not include plants or non-human animal life.

Galatians 3:26-29 “ For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁷ For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

²⁴ Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: ²⁵ Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil  the word of God;

Rejoice in my sufferings. This is a triumph of attitude over circumstance. The only place that the devil can begin to hurt you is in your attitude.

Fill up that which is behind. Understand that we have an indebtedness to Christ that can never be fulfilled, but which gives us an example to follow.

Afflictions of Christ in my flesh. Paul considered his scars to be only extensions of the crucifixion. Do you have any afflictions of the cross in your flesh?

For his body’s sake, which is the church. This elevates the church to a place of supreme importance . The church must not be downgraded, ignored, dismissed or maligned. Those who want no involvement with the church do not respect the body of Christ, because the church IS the body of Christ in this age! 1 Corinthians 12:26-27 “ And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. ²⁷ Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”

²⁶ Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: ²⁷ To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in  you, the hope of glory:

The mystery which hath been hid. The Old Testament prophets and saints did not have the revelation of Jesus Christ or full salvation. Romans 16:25-26 “ Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, ²⁶ But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.”

Christ in you the hope of glory. This is a clear reference to the baptism of the Holy Ghost . Romans 8:10-16 “ And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹ But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

²⁸ Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: ²⁹ Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Themes of Colossians - Part One

The City

• Colossae was located about 100 miles inland from Ephesus, near to Laodicea and Hierapolis (Col. 4:13, 16). Colossae was smaller than the others. An important trade route passed through there. Even though it was small, Paul believed it was important enough to write an epistle to the church there.
• Colossae was home to every kind of philosophy imaginable in the first century. False prophets, errant doctrines and heresies abounded. Many Jews also lived there, so the church had the whole range of religious ideas to combat.

The Church

• The church put Colossae on the map. It is not named in the Book of Acts, probably because Paul did not start or even vist the Colossian church. He says that he had heard of their faith, but did not know them personally. This makes for a remarkable fact that Paul wrote them a letter that has survived through the centuries.
• The Colossian church was born as a result of Paul’s presence in Ephesus (Acts 19; 20:17–38). The Ephesian church no doubt reached out to surrounding cities, including Colossae, and “all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:10). Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis would have been included in their home missions endeavors.
• During Paul’s ministry in Ephesus, two men from Colossae were saved —Epaphras and Philemon (Philemon 19). Epaphras may have played a major role in founding the church in Colossae, because he shared the Gospel (Col. 1:7) with his community. He also went to Hierapolis and Laodicea and carried the gospel there as well. (Col. 4:12–13).
• Philemon opened his home for he gospel to be preached. (Philemon 2). Apphia and Archippus, mentioned in this verse, were respectively the wife and son of Philemon, and Archippus may have been the pastor of the church (Col. 4:17).
• The Bible Exposition Commentary says, “There is a good lesson for us here: God does not always need an apostle, or a “full-time Christian worker” to get a ministry established. Nor does He need elaborate buildings and extensive organizations. Here were two laymen who were used of God to start ministries in at least three cities. It is God’s plan that the Christians in the large urban areas like Ephesus reach out into the smaller towns and share the Gospel.
• Gentiles mainly made up the membership of the Colossian church. Paul lists a number of sins that were commonly found among Gentiles. Also, the mystery Paul writes about had more to do with the Gentiles than the Jews (Col. 1:25–29). It appears that the church was around five years old when Paul wrote this letter.

CHAPTER 1

¹ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, ² To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, ⁴ Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which  ye have to all the saints, ⁵ For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

Greeting to saints and faithful brethren. Faithfulness stands out as a virtue worth praising and encouraging.
Hope in heaven: The importance of eternity in our present activities.

John 14:1-3

^{2 Corinthians 4:14} Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. ¹⁵ For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. ¹⁶ For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; ¹⁸ While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

We cannot lose sight of heaven and eternity. Without this understanding, much of what we believe loses its meaning.

• John 3:16;
• Romans 6:23.

⁶ Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: ⁷ As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; ⁸ Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

Epaphras was probably the one responsible for founding the church in Colossae.

⁹ For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; ¹⁰ That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; ¹¹ Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

Walk worthy . We have an obligation and an expectation to make our lives an authentic representation of the heart and mind of God.

We are dealing today with some distorted ideas of what Christianity is all about. It used to be that when someone left the church, they knew they were wrong and we knew they were wrong. Nowadays, people simply go out and find a church (so-called) that fits their idea of how they want to live their lives.

• ¹¹ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, ¹² Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; ¹³ Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; ¹⁴ Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. ¹⁵ These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. Titus 2:11-12.
• ¹ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. ² And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2.

¹² Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: ¹³ Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Partakers of the inheritance of the saints. We have treasures in heaven.
Delivered us from the power of darkness. The power and authority of Satan over us has been broken.

• This was a crucial episode that decided the fate of mankind. Adam and Eve represented mankind. At issue here was whether man would consent to obey God his Creator, or use his free will to rebel and submit to Satan. The tragic outcome is that when given a clear choice, man chose to obey Satan rather than God. And because authority hinges on obedience, when man obeyed Satan, he gave him a legal right to impose his evil influence on human life!
• Satan’s authority over mankind is not absolute. It is proportional to the degree to which man chooses to disobey God. Because of the depravity and rebelliousness of fallen man, the apostle John conceded that, “…the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19). Jesus also recognized the extent of Satan’s authority over fallen mankind, referring to him as “the ruler of this world” on at least three occasions (John 12:31 , 14:30 , 16:11 ).

• John 12:31 “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.”
• John 14:30 “Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.”
• John 16:11 “Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”

• The Greek word for “prince” is archon, meaning one who is first in rank or power. The fact is that we are not just dealing with Satan as a deceiver, a liar, an evil spirit, etc. We are dealing with him as one who is in authority over this present world. The only way an individual can be delivered from the authority of Satan is to submit to an authority that is higher than Satan!

Translated us in the kingdom of his dear Son. We are now citizens of another kingdom.

• To illustrate, no one can travel to another country without a passport or an agreement between countries. All kinds of issues come up in this relationship, like “Do I have to obey the laws here? Can the authorities here steal my money and throw me in jail? Will my native country get me out if I get in trouble here?” No person is an authority unto themselves. Regardless of where we are, someone has authority over us, usually depending upon our citizenship . Either we are ruled by Christ or we are ruled be Satan.

¹⁴ In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: ¹⁵ Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: ¹⁶ For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: ¹⁷ And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

The image of the invisible God. Image from Greek word eikon, or icon. Jesus Christ is the physical, human, literal representation or likeness of the invisible God. Taken another way, Jesus is God in a body.

• Image does not mean person . Image does not mean another God. Image does not mean a lesser God.
• Image does not mean that Jesus is a shadow of God. Hebrews 10:1
• The fact that Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God can only mean that God is Jehovah unseen and Jesus is Jehovah seen !

By Him were all things created.

The “Firstborn” is not part of Creation because He created “all things.” One cannot create himself. Jesus already existed as the Almighty God. (Jehovah’s Witnesses wrongly add the word “other” six times in this passage in their New World Translation. Thus they suggest that Christ created all other things after He was created! But the word “other” is not in the Greek.

He is before all things and by him all things consist.

• Paul used three different prepositions to refute false teachers.
• Greek philosophers taught that everything needed a 1) primary cause, 2) an instrumental cause, and 3) a final cause. The primary cause is the plan , the instrumental cause the power , and the final cause the purpose .
• When it comes to Creation, Jesus Christ is the primary cause (He planned it), the instrumental cause (He produced it), and the final cause (He did it for His own pleasure).

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 might have the preeminence. ¹⁹ For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

Head of the body, the church. You cannot have a relationship with the church without Jesus Christ. Neither can you have a relationship with Christ without a relationship with the church.

Firstborn from the dead . “Firstborn” means two things:

• Christ preceded the whole Creation
• Christ is Sovereign over all Creation.

Preeminence.

• The Greek word translated preeminence is proteuo and it appears only here. It is the one word that puts Christianity at odds with the religions and philosophies of the world. We are granted a place in the pantheon of Gods, but not first place. We are acknowledged but not given preeminence.
• Acts 17:22-34.

All the fullness dwells in Him. Greek is pleroma. It means “the sum total of all divine power and attributes.” This was a technical term used by ancient theologians. Paul boldly and unequivocally states that this term describes Christ himself.

• The Oneness of God represents the purest, most powerful concept of the Godhead. Once you understand the oneness of God you understand theology, creation, salvation, worship, the church, authority and everything else related to God. Romans 1:20.
• Deuteronomy 6:4 is the foundational scripture for the Jewish religion. “Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God is one LORD.” The Oneness view of God gives us truth, focus and clarity. If we intend to have a relationship with God, we must know who He is and how to reach him. Jesus Christ is God. That summarizes our theology .

Themes of Philippians: CHAPTER 4

¹ Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. ² I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. ³ And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

The crowns:

¹⁹ For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? ²⁰ For ye are our glory and joy. 1 Thessalonians 2:19

⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8

¹² Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12

Euodias and Syntyche. Evidently a feud was going on between two women in the church. Unity is once again a primary theme of Paul’s epistles.

Help those women which labored with me in the gospel.

What is the role of women in the church? 34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35

Jesus’ view of women Mary of Bethany . Capable of spiritual worship and intellectual understanding. Woman at the well. Received some of Christ’s greatest teaching on the Holy Ghost. Woman accused of adultery. Spared her from punishment of the law and illustrated his grace in her.

Women in Acts Acts 1:14 . Inclusion of women. Acts 2 was promised to women as well as men. (Acts 2:17-18) This reference to women was deliberate. Acts 21:8-9. Daughters of Philip were used in prophecy.

Apostle Paul’s View of Women Romans 16 - Ten of twenty-nine names are of women. Four women, Mary, Tryphene, Tryphosa, and Persis “worked very hard” in the cause of the Gospel. Pricilla, along with her husband, Aquila, were called “fellow-helpers” (sunergos) with Paul, a term also used for men.

Women: New Testament Principles

• Speaking: No authoritative teaching
• Obedience: The context of the law
• Submission to husband
• Definitive roles:

• Teaching under submission
• Teaching young women
• Spiritual gifts

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. ⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. ⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

• Rejoice…rejoice! Rejoicing ought to characterize the attitude of the church.
• Moderation. Means gentleness, reasonableness. There is no place for contentious spirits, obstinacy or strife in the church. Even when we do not agree, we can love and respect one another.
• Be careful for nothing. Stop worrying! Worry is a little fox that spoils the vine. Worry is blind to blessing and has eyes and ears only for negative reports.
• “What is worry? Our English word “worry” comes from an Anglo-Saxon word that means “to strangle”; worry certainly does strangle people physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The Bible term “be careful” or “be anxious” means literally “to be torn apart.” Worry comes when the thoughts in our mind and feelings in our heart pull in different directions and “tear us apart.” The mind thinks about problems, and these feelings weigh down the heart, creating a vicious circle that wrecks our emotional state. Our minds tell us we should not fret, but we often cannot control the anxiety in our hearts! We have to break this circle of worry before we can enjoy peace.” Warren Wiersbe

The Apostle Paul had every reason to worry. People, circumstances and the material things of life all created problems for him, but he did not give them power over his attitude!

Everything by prayer and supplication…let your requests be made known to God. This is our antidote to worry.

The peace of God which passeth all understanding… This is one instance where the Word of God and prayer can put you to sleep! Instead of reaching for the sleeping pills, rely on the peace of God to calm your nerves. How do we do this?

Colossians 3:15-17 ¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ¹⁷ And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest  , whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. ⁹ Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Think on these things. Just as food stimulates the digestive system into action, so input from the world stimulates the thought processes into action. The kind and quality of food determines the health of your body. The kind and quality of the input from the world determines the health of your mind.

Learned, received, heard, seen… There could be no better synopsis of a good example than this. Paul conducted himself beyond himself. He did not live for personal pleasure and fulfillment alone. He constantly had his followers in mind as he lived his life.

¹⁰ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. ¹¹ Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. ¹² I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. ¹³ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. ¹⁴ Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

Be content. This does not mean a lack of ambition or drive to succeed. It does mean that we are wrong to envy or be covetous of more than is given to us. Many fights and feuds break out because people are dissatisfied with themselves—their looks, their natural gifts, their possessions or status in life.

1 Timothy 6:3-12 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; ⁴ He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, ⁵ Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. ⁸ And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. ⁹ But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. ¹⁰ For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. ¹¹ But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. ¹² Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Socrates said as to who is wealthiest: “He that is content with least, for αὐταρκεια [ autarkeia ] is nature’s wealth.”

¹⁵ Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia , no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. ¹⁶ For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. ¹⁷ Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. ¹⁸ But I have all  , and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. ¹⁹ But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

My God shall supply all your need… The promise is that God will supply our needs on two conditions.

1. Your unselfish giving to God.

2. What you need, not what you want.

The prosperity gospel is an abomination to the true gospel. It is based on words taken out of context and does not align itself with the spiritual purposes of God.

Deuteronomy 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it .

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Besides being wrong, prosperity feeds on greed and self-gratification. It leads people to have false expectations of God and it abuses the practice of prayer.

James 4:1-3 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? ² Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. ³ Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

²⁰ Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. ²¹ Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. ²² All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household. ²³ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. To the Philippians written from Rome , by Epaphroditus.

The household of Caesar. These are probably not relatives of Caesar himself, but a reference to anyone in civil service for the Roman government. They may have included servants who had been converted while Paul was under house arrest.

The gospel knows no limits or exclusions. Rich or poor, bond or free, male or female, public servant or private citizen, black or white…the gospel is for all.

God cannot be a God of the majority or the minority or he would be fickle and biased. You may be in the majority in this country, but you would be in the minority in another country. Would that mean that God would reject you if you lived somewhere else? God pays special attention to two groups: The Jews and the Church. He has a word covenant with the Jews and a blood covenant with the Church. Other than that, God deals with us as individuals.

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Ephesians 6:8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

God created all. Jesus died for all. We must be careful not to draw lines where the scripture draws none. Whenever our culture conflicts with the principles of the Word of God, the Bible must always be the final authority.

Your Body, God's Temple

1 Our body is the creation of God.

Genesis 1:26-27

2. We were created to glorify God.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Romans 12:1-2

3. Anything we do with, to or through our bodies that is destructive or perverts the purpose of God, is to be judged by the Word.

• Smoking.
• Drugs.

1 Cor 3:16-17

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

• Body piercing.
• Tattooes

Lev 19:28

28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.

4. Sexual sins are expressly forbidden by the Bible as destructive to the body.

1 Cor 6:15-20

15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

One of the sins of fornication is that the the relationship between a man and a woman is extremely important and meaningful in the sight of God.

• Two people joined together sexually make themselves into one body.
• One set of values; one character; each share the same sin.

Our society believes that anything you do that doesn’t hurt anyone is totally private and nobody else’s business.

But that’s not what God says.

18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

Fornication is considered by too many people as a momentary sin, a little lapse in character, but otherwise harmless.

You shouldn’t do it, but if you do, you can just ask God to forgive you.

Prov 6:23-28

23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
24 To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?

Proverbs 7.

Let’s see what really happens when people commit fornication:

You make yourself vulnerable to venereal disease.

• Syphillis
• Gonarrhea
• Herpes
• Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

You take risks to become the mother or father of another person.

• If you take protection against pregnancy, it means you are planning on sinning.
• If you have a child, you must face a whole host of problems.
• Will the abortion issue come up?
• Will you marry the father or mother?
• Do you even want to marry this person?
• Are you ready to enter into lifelong relationships with inlaws?
• What will happen to the plans in your life?

Even if no pregnancy occurs, people who commit fornication are still not free and clear.

• The relationship between a man and woman deals with highly charged, emotional forces.
• Fornication is becoming intimate with somebody you really do not know.
• Was it based upon lying statements about love?
• Was it based upon false promises about commitment to each other?
• When it happened, were you pressured, pushed, manipulated, forced?
• Are you ready to grow up as adults and see each other in a non-sexual way?
• Will you tell anyone else what happened?
• Will the other person tell?
• If other people find out, will it be used against you?
• Will you have to face it at the worst moment possible moment in your life?

Anyone who doesn’t respect the marriage vows before they are married will not respect them after they are married. -Robert Trapani

Does God forgive fornication?

• Yes, just like he forgives bank robbery.
• God’s forgiveness does not mean a human cost won’t be paid.

Prov 6:30-35

30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; 31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house. 32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.

33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. 34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. 35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.

But there is an even greater reason to keep yourself pure.

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Fornication is the commission of sacrilege against God because we defile his temple. We are where God dwells. (How many would come into this church and vandalize it? Throw paint, rip pews, kick holes in walls, etc.)

20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

• Fornication is grand larceny against God.
• You are the redeemed possession of God. You have no right to do what you want to do with your body.
• If you resent this or rebel against it, you can steal your rights back.
• But you also take the responsibility.

Review: Does God Care About the Physical Body?

• He covered the physical nakedness of Adam and Eve.
• He placed a mark upon Cain’s forehead.
• He ordered Abraham to sacrifice Isaac.
• He instituted the rite of circumcision for the Jews.
• He demanded physical perfection in the priests.
• He forbid markings or cuttings on the bodies of priests.
• He commanded restrictions in eating, drinking, clothing and sexual relations.
• He entered the world by means of a prepared body.
• He gave his own body to torture and crucifixion.
• He taught us to deny ourselves, take up the cross and follow him.
• He tells us through his Word to mortify the deeds of the flesh.
• Yes, God cares very much about how we regard our bodies.

Lev 21:16-21

16 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
17 “Speak to Aaron, saying: ‘No man of your descendants in succeeding generations, who has any defect, may approach to offer the bread of his God.
18 ‘For any man who has a defect shall not approach: a man blind or lame, who has a marred face or any limb too long,
19 ‘a man who has a broken foot or broken hand,
20 ‘or is a hunchback or a dwarf, or a man who has a defect in his eye, or eczema or scab, or is a eunuch.
21 ‘No man of the descendants of Aaron the priest, who has a defect, shall come near to offer the offerings made by fire to the LORD. He has a defect; he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God. (NKJ)

Rom 8:8-13

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Col 3:5-6

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

1 Tim 2:8-10

8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

5. Your mind and your spirit are also parts of your body.

Protect your mind from perverse and ungodly influences.

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

The helmut protects the head, symbolic of keeping the mind protected against spiritual assaults.

• Books.
• Magazines.
• Tapes.
• Internet.
• Radio.
• Television.
• Video tapes.
• Music. (Music is a potent force for the transmission of culture.)

Amos 6:5

“Woe to them that are at ease in Zion,” 5 “That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;”

• Music is the main vehicle for cultural transference.
• It bypasses the rational mind through melody and rhythm.
• It forms a bond between people and groups.
• It gives a sense of identity.
• It makes history and ideas easy to remember through lyrics.
• These characteristics of music make it powerful for good or evil.
• (Letter to the editor in The Blade, 8-2-00, re: degrading lyrics on popular CD’s that are sold to minors without the sales clerk noticing the parental advisory label.)

Protect your spirit from evil spiritual influences.

Occultism

Lev 19:31

31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.

Lev 20:6

6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.

Deut 18:9-14

9 When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
13 Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.
14 For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.

Hypnotism

Hypnotism is an induced sleep that puts one’s mind under the control of another. This opens the door for an evil spirit to come in.

Mind-altering drugs

These are not drugs that cause drowsiness or reduce alertness. These are drugs that manipulate the throught processes in bizarre, frightening or evil ways. LSD-type of drugs surrender the control of your mind to other influences.

Satanism

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Evil communications

Romans 12:1-2

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

6. How are we to regard our body?

• The Temple of the Holy Ghost.
• The Creation of God.
• An Instrument for God’s Glory.
• A Purchased Possession.
• A Trust of Conscientious Stewardship.
• A Resource for the Kingdom of God.
• Dress it modestly.
• Use it wisely.
• Conform it to holiness.
• Crucify its carnal desires.
• Subject it to spiritual discipline.

Heb 12:14-17

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.  (KJV)

Why the Baptism in the Spirit should be an expected experience

It is now time for us to enter into the attitude of faith, the mindset, the certain expectation of what both God and the church wants to do in his church. There is a scriptural basis and mandate for us to anticipate a mighty move of the Holy Ghost.

• God responds to prayer.
• God honors faith.
• Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
• Revivals happen in the context of rising expectations.

God’s plan is to pour His Spirit out on all flesh.

• Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
• Isa 40:5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
• Isa 66:23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.
• Luke 3:6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

The Holy Ghost is a gift of God.

• Acts 2:38 …and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
• Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

God will give the Holy Ghost to any individual.

• Jews Acts 2:1-4
• Half-Jews Acts 8:17
• Gentiles Acts 10:44
• Foreigners Acts 19:6
• Women Acts 1:14
• Religious persons Acts 9:17

The outpouring of the Holy Ghost is a major part of God’s plan.

• John 3:5-8
• John 4:10, 24
• John 16:7

Every individual is a potential vessel of the Holy Ghost.

John 7:37-39 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

The Holy Ghost may be received in a variety of places:

• In church
• At home
• In someone else’s home
• With family, relatives and friends
• In the city

An individual may receive the Holy Ghost by doing certain things:

• Prayer and supplication
• Getting into one accord with other seekers and worshippers
• Believing
• Having others pray for them and with them
• Simultaneous with a miracle
• Listening to preaching
• Repentance
• Prior to water baptism
• After water baptism
• Obedience

We can expect people to speak in tongues with the Holy Ghost infilling.

• Acts 2:1-4
• Acts 10:44-48
• Acts 19:6
• Acts 8:12-17
• Acts 9:17; I Corinthians 14:18

What should the continual mission of the church be?

• Prayer
• Bible Study
• Faith
• Worship
• Intercessory prayer
• Sharing the Word