We serve a great God. Throughout history, he has done great things for his people. We worship a victorious savior. He defeated sin, death, took all the wrath of a righteous God, he bought us back from slavery to sin and made us sons and daughters of Last week - even in our failures, the victory of Christ is demonstrated. When we fail, when we sin, we remember that Jesus' victory on the cross carried away my sins. God wants you to think about, meditate on, study and explore the victories of Jesus. He wants you to see that his grace really is greater than all our sin. There is no moment or circumstance of my life that is not impacted by God's greatness and the victorious work of Jesus Christ. What about those times when we're discouraged and worn? Do God's people get discouraged? Ps 77:3, I remembered you, o God, and I groaned Ps 102:4-6, I forgot to eat Jer 20:14, I curse the day I was born. Job 10:1 I loathe my very life. Why does God allow his people to be discouraged? 1. Emptiness - Absence increases our desire, presence increases our joy. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Blessings lost and then found again become extraordinary. 2. Disappointment - So we find that nothing else will fulfill us and come to him alone. Hosea 11:2-4 V. 2. God called, they went further away. Worshipped Baals V. 3. They did not see God's kindness, took it for granted. V. 4 God led them in kindness and love. Hosea 11:5-8 V. 5. Return to Egypt - after God set them free, from slavery, they wanted to return there. We return to old idols, old habits, looking for fulfillment. V. 6 God will allow them to be invaded by Assyria. V. 7. My people are determined to turn from me. Man comes to God only after finding emptiness everywhere else. William Bridge So long as we can find fulfillment anywhere else, we will not come to God. V. 8. In triumphant, unfailing love, God will not give up on you or let you go. The greatness of God's love will bring you back to him. His unfailing love will remind you that even if you have discouragement all around you, you have the greatest possession in the universe, you have the love of your great God. You are His and He is yours. God wants to have all the love of his children. He allows us to figure out that no other pursuits will satisfy us. 3. Conviction - Jesus as a surgeon, uses discouragement to repair what is wrong in us. He points out areas in our lives where we are looking at external things rather than the demonstrated love of God for us. Read the scriptures much. The promise yields its power when you put it to work, not before. Relying on the promise makes it yours. Psalm 94:19 "when anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul."

I want to spend the next few weeks talking about our triumphant God. About the victories of God and, specifically, the victories of Jesus Christ. Our God is victorious. Our Savior has overcome. God's patience overcame Israel's sinfulness Jesus' obedience overcame Satan's temptations God's forgiveness overcame man's sin God's power overcame the schemes of Satan Jesus' power overcame the grave God's wisdom overcame man's deceptions God's glory overcame man's suppression of the truth God's love overcame man's hatred But it's not just that He has overcome. His victory means something for our lives. The story of God's victory is not just God's story. God demonstrates his greatness in the lives of his people. God's triumphs impact the lives of his people. Jesus' blood overcame the sinful stains in my life and made me holy Jesus' sacrifice overcame the wrath of God and made me a friend of God Jesus overcame the bondage of my sin and gave me freedom Jesus overcame the death that I dwelt in and gave me new life Jesus' victories in life and teachings and in his death and resurrection and in His teachings have an impact on our lives today and every day. There is no moment or circumstance of my life that is not impacted by God's greatness and the victorious work of Jesus Christ. Even in our failures, the victory of Jesus and the greatness of God is seen. John 13:36-38 Jesus' last night with his disciples. Peter promises to go all the way to death Luke 22:31-34 Satan asked to sift you like wheat God allowed Peter's faith to be tested "When you have turned back" Jesus knew that Peter would stumble But Peter's stumbling was not the end John 18:25-27 while Jesus was being accused, Peter warmed himself and not only didn't speak up in Jesus' defense, he denied even knowing him John 21:15-17 three denials, three opportunities to be restored God never permits his people to fall into any sin but that he intends as an inlet into further grace. We should be humbled by our sin, but not discouraged because Jesus has overcome our sin - past and future - all our sin, every stain, every one - Jesus Christ has covered by his blood. When you sin, see it on the cross. See Jesus carry it to Calvary. See his death carry it away and see his Father accept Jesus' sacrifice as payment in full for your sin when he resurrected Jesus body after three days of death.

Hearing and doing are what make the difference. - Andy Stanley James 1:22-25 22. Do not merely listen; do. Listening without doing is deceptive. We can come to church, sing the songs - even feel emotion. But if we don't put into practice what we're learning, there's no real growth. 23-24. a word picture - we fix the outside but not the inside Coming to realize after being in Gods word yourself or hearing Gods word and realizing you need to make a change Honor God with your body, Invest more time in your kids, Or more in your marriage, To become aware that something needs to change and then to leave and do nothing is like looking at a mirror, and forgetting what you see. It'd be like getting up in the morning and looking in the mirror and see you need a shave, your hair is flat on one side and standing on the other, your teach need brushed, but you immediately forget and do nothing and go to school or work. You stand in front of the mirror until you're better - until it's fixed You do something about what you see. James says when you read or hear the a Word of a God and become aware that you need to confess, or forgive someone, or address an addiction, or honor God with your body or your finances, or your marriage, or a relationship, an apology I need to make - if you become aware of the need for change and do nothing... It's as foolish as looking into a mirror and forgetting what you've seen. There's no credit for just being aware - God lovingly calls us to change. We'll spend hours in a week on the outside, but it's the heart issues, habit issues, relationship issues, forgiveness issues, attitude issues that cause moral or relational or financial crashes in our lives. Why wouldn't we dare to walk away from an issue in our appearance, but we refuse to deal with the internal issues we've been confronted with? 25. God's law gives freedom The younger we are and the less time we've followed Christ, the more baffling this is. Seems like the Scriptures are filled with "NO" - not freedom. God' sword seems restrictive, not freeing. But then you gain some life experience and you find its true. Money: Bible teaches us to be generous, don't spend all your money on yourself. Your money is not your money. Don't go into debt. Give, save, then live on the rest. If you do that, you'll have financial freedom. It works because the Bible is true and if you follow its teachings - if you apply them - if you put them into practice you'll find freedom. Forgiveness: the perfect law that gives freedom says when someone hurts you, forgive. But we don't want to. Someone hurt me. I'm going to hold it against them. I'm not going to let them off. Why would I give them the gift of forgiveness? The Bible says, cancel their debt. Forgive. You know people who haven't forgiven. They are angry, bitter. And people around them suffer. People wound them get all the venom from some other relationship. But we know that when we forgive, the person being set free is us. We know that forgiveness removes the shackles - not from the person who hurt us - it removes the shackles from our own hands and feet. There's freedom when you apply Gods Word and forgive. The Bible teaches to honor God with your body and with what you put in your body. When you're young that seems so restrictive. Honor God with where you take your body, Honor God with what you look at, Honor God with your relationships - with your sexuality. There is freedom in God's perfect law, but only when we practice it. Only when we do something with what we hear. Jesus Christ died to set us free. But you're only free when you do something with what you hear. There is blessing when we hear and do.

Psalm 84:1-4 blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever praising - those who dwell in worship are blessed - they find happiness, joy in God's presence Psalm 84:5-7 v 5 "set their hearts on pilgrimage" - journey to God's temple, to his presence. blessed are those who journey to God's presence. v 6 "valley of Baca" "weeping" no physical place identified. Here's the picture - Blessed are those who journey through sorrow to God's presence. A place of springs, rains cover the valley of weeping with pools. The practice of digging cisterns in the desert. In the middle of desert, they would dig holes in the ground or cisterns. Despite the thirsty, dry conditions, they knew the rains would come. v 7 The rains did come, filled the holes like pools in the desert. The. They pass through the desert, from one pool to the next, "strength to strength". Those who go to God in times of sorrow find strength. Even in dry places, you have to prepare for rain. In the midst of discouragement, go to God's presence, prepare for his blessing Discouragement is disorienting, but God is still good. He is for us. Our struggles do not overcome the joy and strength we find in his presence.

Perhaps the theme of Habakkuk is Habakkuk 3:2a Lord, I have heard of your fame, I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord Renew them in our day Habakkuk knew of God's great work for his people - in the past. But in the present, he could not see God'S work. "Renew your goodness in our day" Habakkuk 3:17-18 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, Though the olive crop fails and the field produces no food, Though there are no sheep in he pen and no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will rejoice in The Lord, I will be joyful in god my Savior. Habakkuk was writing at a time of devastating famine. No crops, no livestock, no food. "Yet I will rejoice in The Lord, I will be joyful in god my Savior." How can we find joy in the midst of discouragement? In the midst of defeat? In the midst of trouble that seems to have no end? We all face discouragement at times in our lives: finances, marriages, jobs, medical problems, relationship problems. We can deal with those when they last a short time. But when the struggle continues for a long time, it can go from struggle to discouragement. Long-term struggles can outlast your hope. Discouragement can set in and make it feel like there is no hope of change. What do we do then? Where do we go? Are we supposed to give up? Is this the new normal? How can we survive those times, not of days or weeks of struggles, but those struggles that go on for years? If The Lord chooses not to rescue us from the struggle, can we find joy again? Psalm 43:1-5 v 1-2 feeling rejected by God... In mourning... Oppressed by the enemy v 3 prayer for light and truth to guide him, to lead him to God, To lead him into God's presence. Discouragement causes us to withdraw from God and people. Ask God to guide you back into his presence. We tend to withdraw from God. The author here prays, God, guide me into your presence. "Send forth your light and truth, let them guide me" Discouragement is disorienting; making us think our struggles are bigger than God. Ask God to help you see your struggle in light of His Presence. v 4 go to the altar - worshipping God Worshipping God in the midst of discouragement renews the joy we find in his presence. v 5 why so downcast? Put your hope in God.

The kingdom of God is to be Taken hold of Advanced Treasured Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. The parallel account in Luke omits "and his righteousness" and adds an assurance: "...seek his kingdom, and all these things shall be yours as well. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:31-32). The kingdom of God is the treasure. The kingdom of God is of higher value than everything else. We are to seek God's kingdom as our most valuable possession. Even if it costs you everything else, the kingdom of God is worth it. The kingdom of God is a matter of priority - a matter of heart. The value of God's kingdom was greater than everything else he had. The treasure that is God's kingdom has inspired countless saints for two millennia. The kingdom of God inspired people like Jim Elliott, One of the five who gave their lives to reach the Auca Indians in January 1956. When he was warned that he might die trying to bring the kingdom of God to this unreached tribe, he wrote in his journal, "I would gladly give my life for these people." And... "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." - Jim Elliott William Carrey was an English missionary to India who was a skilled linguist, writer and printer. He translated portions of the Bible in different languages. Eric Liddell the Olympic runner from the1980s film Chariots of Fire. After school, and his time as an Olympic athlete, he returned to China as a missionary in 1925. In 1941 British nationals were encouraged to leave China by the British government because of the coming Japanese invasion. Eric sent his wife and children home to Canada, but Eric remained to work in a hospital with his brother. In 1943 he was put in a prison camp by the Japanese and continued to teach children and preach the Bible in the prison camp. He was given the opportunity to leave the prison camp, but turned it down so that a pregnant woman could be released and he could remain there to be a father and teacher to the children in the camp The kingdom of God is the treasure. The kingdom of God is of greater value than anything else. Matthew 13:45-46 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Two ways to interpret this parable, the first is that it has the same meaning as the treasure in the field. But in this one, The kingdom of heaven is the merchant. The merchant gives everything to obtain the pearl. The man who gave up everything to obtain the pearl may be Jesus Christ who gave his life to pay the debt of sin for the whole world. Within the world of sinners, there would be some who would believe in him - the treasure and pearl. In that case, this is similar to the parables in Luke of the woman who lost a coin and would not rest until she found it. It's like the parable of the shepherd with one hundred sheep, but left 99 to find one lost sheep. The lessons of these parables: The kingdom of God is a treasure more valuable than anything else. The kingdom of God is about a savior who made the supreme sacrifice for his people.

Wk 1 we are to pray, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Wk 2 Most will not accept the kingdom. Like the good soil, we have to be receptive and obedient God's word. Wk 3 This is a time of God's grace and patience, but it will come to an end with a time of separation of those who do not follow Christ. Wk 4 The Kingdom of heaven is destined to advance. Matthew 13:31-32 the parable of the mustard seed The mustard seed is like a tiny speck- the smallest seed a farmer would plant. But it would grow to be the largest plant in the garden, growing to 10 or 15 ft high. Matthew 13:33-35 the parable of the yeast Usually yeast is portrayed as representing sin in the Scriptures because of the way it decomposes the dough and a small amount permeates throughout. But it is used here to show that the kingdom of God starts small, but grows to affect the whole world. This was not the first time that God's kingdom was prophesied to advance from small and insignificant to huge growth. In the Neo-Babylonian empire, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream. He was so upset with it that he called his wisest advisors to interpret it, but he wanted to be sure that the interpretation was true, so he told them to tell him his dream first and then to give the interpretation - or he would have them killed. Daniel was a Jew, a captive from Judah. He prayed and God revealed Nebuchadnezzar's dream and the interpretation. Daniel 2:31-35 The meaning of the dream is a vision of five earthly kingdoms that would rule their world. [show picture] Head of gold - the Babylonians Chest of silver - the Medes and Persians The waist and thighs of bronze - the Greeks The legs of iron - the Romans The feet of iron and clay - a restored Roman Empire in the end times that will be crushed by God's Kingdom The stone not cut by human hands is the kingdom of God. It started small but crushed the statue - the kingdoms of men - and grew to the size of a mountain. Two points of application: 1) God's kingdom is destined to advance. We feel like we're the underdogs, like we're in retreat as our society walks further away from God. But God loves to start with something small and insignificant so that he can show that it grew and advanced by His power. Slaves in Egypt escaped a powerful nation - and plundered them - why? Because God fought for them. David was a boy when he came to a battle where warriors were afraid to face Goliath and he said, this man defies the God of Israel, I will fight him. Why? Because God fought for him. "Jesus grew up in a backwards province of a conquered people to poor parents; He taught for three years in neighboring villages, and occasionally at Jerusalem; His followers were mostly the poor and uneducated; then he fell into the hands of his enemies, and died the shameful death of the cross; That is how kingdom of God began - but it would advance to world-wide influence. Ultimately, the kingdom of will outlast all earthly kingdoms, all philosophies, all societies, all religions. Are we defeated? No, God's kingdom is destined to advance - God will work to advance his kingdom. 2) The kingdom of God advances around us as we let it advance within us. You want your kids to follow Jesus? You follow Jesus everyday, more and more. Your coworkers need the kingdom of God in their lives? You take hold of the kingdom. Matthew 11:13 The Kingdom of Heaven advances into this world with conflict. There are forces of evil which oppose God’s word and His work. But God’s Kingdom is also coming with power and many people are being freed from the power of Satan as they take hold of the good news of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 13:1-9 Same day - that Jesus was accused by working under the power of Satan. Jesus spoke from a boat a little ways away from shore, which made an amphitheater. Parable - an analogy from everyday life to explain a spiritual truth. The seed - the word of God - sp. the message about Jesus - God's plan to bring forgiveness and restoration through sacrificing His own Son. The soils - us, people who hear the message The sower - Jesus and his followers Matthew 13:10-17 The reason Jesus spoke in parables. 11. The secrets of the kingdom were given to people who believed and acted on the truth - but not to those who did not believe. 12. God will reveal more truth as you believe and act on the truth you already have. 14-15. Isaiah said of his generation, that they would see and hear but not believe his message. Jesus uses Isaiah's words to say that people would hear and see the his coming in the flesh and still not believe. Isaiah's prophecy was at least in part fulfilled in Jesus day - and still is today. The invitation to receive Christ is open, clear, and uncomplicated. Those who harden their hearts against Christ receive no more truth. The Pharisees had hardened their hearts so much toward Jesus that they just accused him of setting someone free of demon possession by the power of Satan. 16. The disciples see and hear and received the Messiah. They enjoyed the marvelous privilege anticipated by the OT prophets. Matthew 13:18-23 The soil along the path eaten by birds - those who hear the message but do not understand it. The soil on the rocky places scorched by the sun - those who receive the message with joy but have no root and fall away quickly under trouble or persecution. The soil among the thorns - those who hear the message but it is choked out by the worries of life and the deceitfulness of wealth. The good soil - those who hear and understand the message and act on it. The four soils are four different responses to God's word: 1. Hardened 2. Shallow 3. Distracted 4. Receptive

Then What’s Next To Do? Everyone who asks receives . . . —Luke 11:10 "Then He said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; and from inside he answers and says, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything. ' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" (Luke 11:5-13 NASB) "So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened." (Luke 11:9, 10 AMP) Ask, and keep on asking We must ask God for His will and direction Seek, and keep on seeking We must actively seek( search) God out Knock, and keep on knocking We must be persistent, and not give up God moves on His time schedule, not ours

If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God’s child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all.... Everything that is distinctively Christian... is summed up in the knowledge of the Fatherhood of God. “Father” is the Christian name for God. - J.I. Packer Protector and defender Throughout the OT, God spoke through Moses and the prophets that He would fight on behalf of His people. Nehemiah 4:14 - Nehemiah asks God's people to defend their families. Provider Matthew 6:25, 26 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Encourager Video Example to Follow Proverbs 20:7 The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him! Trainer Proverbs 3:11-12 god disciplines us for our good. Two points of application for us today. 1. The glorious God of the universe sent His Son into the world. He taught us how to relate to God in a way that no other religion teaches. Matthew 6:9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name." God wants us to see Him as our Protector, Provider, Encourager, Example, Trainer He will defend you, provide for you, encourage you, lead you, teach and train you. He is Father to everyone who will seek Him. Do you know Him? 2. Men, God wants to show his nature through you. He has called you to fight for your family. He has called you to provide for them. He has called you to be an example of integrity, love, and strength. He has called you to be an encourager, not a critic He has called you to lead your family in loving discipline. Being a father is the most important role I will ever play and if I don’t do this well, no other thing I do really matters. What God has called you to, He will empower you to do. He never intended for us to todo this on our own, but to rely on His wisdom and strength. I remember times in my life where I felt like everything I was doing as a father was failing. I had brothers come alongside me and remind me, God will help you be the father and the husband that He has called you to be. Do you need to surrender to His wisdom and strength today? Do you feel like you've blown it? The past is the past and God's grace covers it. What about today? Do you need His strength and wisdom?

From the beginning, God has longed to be with his people. God's longing to be with us is His heart cry in the Law and the Prophets. God dwelt in the burning bush for Moses. Numbers 14:13-14 - when the people rebelled, and God threatened to destroy them, Moses reminded God that it was God's presence that went before them in the pillars of smoke and fire. Moses said to the Lord, “Then the Egyptians will hear about it! By your power you brought these people up from among them. And they will tell the inhabitants of this land about it. They have already heard that you, Lord, are with these people and that you, Lord, have been seen face to face, that your cloud stays over them, and that you go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Exodus 29:44-46 God's desire to be with His people was the primary reason for the Tabernacle, or the tent of meeting. “So I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. They will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God." The ark of the covenant, the Holy of Holies, even the priests to represent God on earth - these were all driven by God's desire to be with hHis people. I cannot express the profoundness of this idea. God is transcendent. He does not need us. He is exalted high above us. Acts 17:24-25 - Paul preached in Athens “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. God's longing to be with us is most clearly seen in the name of the Messiah - “Immanuel” or “God with us”. Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. And then in the closing chapters of the book of the Revelation we see this unrelenting pursuit of God triumphantly realized in words of victory as John writes, Revelation 21:3 “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God!’” This is the unrelenting longing and pursuit of God; and He will be victorious! God's longing to be with us is evident in the lives of His people. God dwelling in the midst of His people is not simply a doctrine we are supposed to understand or claim on some theological level, but it is rather to be the evident experience of His people. This was the clear testimony of the disciples at Pentecost and throughout the book of Acts. The presence of the Holy Spirit is the reason that the church grew, the apostles healed, and the missionaries endured persecution. The reason the church is the church, the reason people are taught, fed, healed, encouraged, brought to salvation is because of the presence of God in the people of God. When Jesus is in the midst of His people, He will be Himself. He will teach, He will convict, He will forgive, He will cleanse, He will pardon, He will bless, and He will heal. He will call people to Himself, and reveal that we are in Him and He is in us. He desires that our lives and deeds will manifest the reality of His presence.

Colossians 4:7-18 Farewells (7-9) vv. 7-8. Tychicus accompanied the apostlePaul on his voyage to Jerusalem (A.D. 58), with contributions raised for "the poor saints at Jerusalem." he was with the apostle in his imprisonment at Rome, but sent home with two letters, and in charge of Onesimus, on whose account the apostle sends a private letter to Philemon. Paul later proposed to send him to Titus in Crete (Titus 3:12), and finally sent him from Rome once more to Ephesus (2 Timothy 6:12). "Dear brother, faithful minister, fellow servant in The Lord." v 9. Onesimus - "faithful and dear brother and one of you". He was a runaway slave of Philemon, who was a member of the church in Colosse. Paul wrote the letter we know as Philemon asking him to forgive Onesimus and to treat him as a brother in The Lord. Onesimus was apparently led to The Lord by Paul. Greetings (10-15) v. 10. 3 Jewish Christians - Aristarchus was a native of Thessalonica, arrested in the riot in Ephesus, accompanied Paul to Jerusalem, and traveled with Paul from Caesarea to Rome. Mark was the writer of the gospel. v. 11. Jesus Justus nothing more is known Paul's calling had alienated him from his countrymen. These three were the only fellow Jews working with Paul in his ministry. These three were a "comfort" to Paul. Console, vv. 12-13. Epaphras is the founder of the Colossian church. He continually strives (labors, toiled) for them in his prayers - that they may stand firm, mature, fully convinced of the will of God. Because they were in danger of wavering in their faith. v. 14 Luke, the doctor, writer of Luke and Acts, companion of Paul in many of his missionary journeys. v. 15. Greetings to the brothers in Laodicea. Nymphas as may be masculine or feminine depending on the placement of the accent mark, so versions differ. There were no church buildings in this time. In the NT, church always referred to an assembly of believers, not the place they met. Instructions (16-17) v. 16. The Colossians and Laodiceans were to swap letters to read. Some think this was the letter to the Ephesians, but it seems more likely that the letter to the Laodiceans was lost. (Another lost letter in 1 Co 5:9) v. 17. Archippus is mentioned in Philemon 2 in a way that suggests he is part of Philemon's household. Could be that Paul was rebuking him to do better or that Paul wanted the Colossians to know that Archippus had his support. Whatever it was, his ministry was a service in The Lord, so it was important. Be diligent to fulfill the calling and role that God has given you. V. 18. Paul wrote the salutation in his own hand Observations: Paul gave up his comfort for the sake of the ministry. Even in chains, he continued to minister He called on fellow workers to continue their work. We want to be part of a culture that is encouraging in ministry. Surrounded by people who are spend themselves in carrying out God's calling. Do you have people in your life that spur you on in good work? 2 Timothy 4:6-7 Can we be people who, like Paul, burns with passion to see gospel of Christ spread? Charles Wesley was asked why he was so influential. He said, "When you light yourself on fire, people love to watch you burn." Are you burning for something? Something bigger than yourself?

The feminine heart reveals the heart of God. God created mankind to bear his image. Somehow in the creation of gender, male and female, reflect his image. Genesis 1:26-27 Both the man's and woman's characters are found in God's heart. - God possess in perfection the character of men and women. - Fused together in God's character is the strong, protective love of a man and the tender, comforting love of a mother. Genesis 2:18-23 v. 18a. God created everyday and said, "it is good." But when he saw man without woman, he said, "it is not good." Man needed a helper - the same term is used of the Holy Spirit, refers to some one to come beside, a help, a comforter. v. 19. All the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and man God made from the ground. v. 21. Woman was made from the side of man. This shows that men and women are distinctly different from all the animals. They uniquely bear the image of their creator. The fact that woman was made from the man's side shows the intimacy they would have and the heart of a woman be at the side and show comfort and tenderness. Author Jack Frost writes about the masculine and feminine hearts: “The masculine heart cries out to do, to form and create, to initiate.... The feminine heart seeks to be; it longs for communion and connection, to bond, and to know and to be known.... The feminine... nature is compassion, empathy, nurture, comfort, intimacy, and the ability to receive and express love.” -Jack Frost While the masculine heart reveals the warrior, builder, leader characteristics of God,The feminine heart bears the image of God's loving nature; his compassion, comforting, concern, nurturing, and his patience. Comforting Isaiah 66:12-13 - refers to a time when The Lord will carry and comfort His people. For this is what The Lord says, "I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem. Like a mother carries, comforts, and dandles her children, so God will care for His people. Zephaniah 3:17 - a promise of God that He would save rejoice over his people The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. “Quiet in His love,” the tender moments between mother and child, when the child is fully contented and enjoying the closeness of his or her mother. Concern and Patience - Jesus quotes an OT passage when he looks out over Jerusalem Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather you together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. This passage reveals the concern that God has for his people. He wants them at his side, to care for them and to protect them - even when they are unwilling. Like the mother who waits for and continues to love her son or daughter who have ventured away. God patiently waits for us to return to him. "I have longed to gather you" it means he wants, wills, desires those who are far off to return to him. God longs for you like a mother who will not give up on her son or daughter. Has he been patiently waiting for you? Is it time to return to the loving God?

Colossians 4:2-6 v. 2 - Be devoted in prayer - "be strong," "persist" in prayer Keep watch - active in prayer, never mechanical, but alive Maintain your zest for prayer through thanksgiving Privately - be devoted to prayer vv. 3-4 - Pray for open doors and clear communication Pray for God to open the door to share your faith with the people around you - a coworker, a fellow student, another mom, someone you regularly come into contact with. vv. 5-6 - live in such a way that unbelievers will see and gain a favorable impression of your faith. Walk in wisdom with outsiders. Watch what you say and do. If Someone at work talks badly about you, model forgiveness. Don't view others as a hassle. Love people, take time to listen to their stories. Treat them as someone for whom Christ died. Make the most of opportunities. Seize opportunities to share your faith. Privately - be devoted to prayer Publicly - live out and share your faith If we Christians are hermetically sealed from non-Christians, how will the lost ever be saved? Escape the Christian subculture. 1. Eat with others, including Non-Christians. We all eat three meals a day. Share one of those meals with others? Go to lunch with a co-worker. Invite the neighbors over for dinner. When you go out for a meal invite others. Cookout and invite Christians and non-Christians. 2. Be a Regular. Instead of hopping all over town for gas, groceries, haircuts, eating out, and coffee, go to the same places. Get to know the staff. Go to the same places. Smile. Ask questions. Be a regular. Build relationships. 3. Talk to Your Co-workers. Take your breaks with intentionality. Go out with your team after work. Show interest in your co-workers. Pick one or two and pray for them. Form mom groups in your neighborhood and don’t make them exclusively Christian. Schedule play dates with the neighbors’ kids. Work on mission. Speak with grace, purity and life. Your mouth reveals your heart There is no way to shortcut this. People know when you're sincere. People know whether or not its real in your life. This has to be real. The way to speak and act in a godly way is to have a vibrant relationship with The Lord. Get near him. We often don't share our faith because we're afraid we don't know enough. 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. Lose confidence in you, gain confidence in Him. No one was ever argued into the kingdom of God. It is always Jesus that drives men to God. What do you do when they ask you something you don't know? Say, "I don't know." You will have to broach the subject - un spiritual people do not bring up spiritual things. God has placed you where you are and whom you're around. Acts 17:26-27 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the time set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. God has you living around specific people so that they might find Him through you. May we be a people who are devoted to prayer and actively share our faith.