SEEING THE INVISIBLE

“What each one honors before all else,

what before all things he admires and loves,

 this for him is God.” (Origen) 

What is the most important thing in life to you—that is your God! 

Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Chris Tomlin, Daniel Craig, Daniel Radcliffe, Albert Pujols, baseball, basketball, education, degrees, books, pastors, even churches or denominations—they all make very poor gods—all too low a goal—too low something to strive for—to reach out for—to become like. 

Apostle Paul—Colossians—church he’d never been to—but wrote to help—a time of doubt with a heresy in their midst threatening to tempt them to leave the true for the false—the best for the lesser.  And aren’t we all tempted by that in life? 

Colossians 1:12-23 

giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.  For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,  in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

    He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.  For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,  and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

     Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.  But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.  (Colossians 1:12-23, NIV) 

Qualified us—rescued us—redemption—who is able to do that—only God 

He is the image of the invisible God

1)      Jesus

2)      Image—Gr—eikon—icon—exact representation

a.       Jesus said, Jn 14:9  “When you have seen me, you have seen the Father”

3)      See Jesus—see the invisible—invisible is made visible—able to be seen—gospels, new testament 

By him all things created—visible and invisible—heaven and earth—earthly and spiritual—love, joy, peace, hope, heaven—Genesis 1:1; Jn 1 

Created by him and FOR him—purpose of creation—you, me—for Jesus/God—His purposes—worship, honor, serving Him, drawing others to Him 

Before (over) all things—in him all things hold together—what keeps the world together?  What keeps marriages together?  What keeps Christians unified and churches serving together?  Jesus 

Diagram—equilateral triangle—God at top—husband and wife at other ends—closer each of us becomes to God/Jesus—closer we become to one another—similar purpose—willing to talk things out—work through problems—seek Jesus in all things.  But it takes two—not just one for this to happen. 

Head over the church—the mind, the purpose, the direction—for success in life, mission, consult Him—Jesus. 

Beginning—firstborn from dead—can you take yourself to heaven—overcome death—only Jesus through power of God 

So that in everything, Jesus might have the supremacy—the preeminent place—first place—over every person, every group, every possession, education, etc. 

God was pleased to have His fullness to dwell in Jesus—God decided—Jesus to have all He has—represent Him as model on earth—show us what God is like—who God is. 

Reconcile—making peace through His blood, shed on cross—God’s way of salvation—of bringing you to God and God to you—forgiveness, mercy, hope—Jesus’ death for you and your sin. 

Once you were alienated—enemies of God—evil behavior--but now—unfit to be in Holy God’s presence 

But now—presented to God—holy, blameless, without accusation—that’s what Jesus does for you 

Why would any of us choose any other model?  Any other god?  Any other thing more important than Jesus?  We choose too low—we don’t keep looking at who Jesus is—we don’t progress in our faith in Him. 

Taylor Swift—your boyfriend or girlfriend/husband or wife—church—education, money, sports, or Jesus? 

Scottish pastor, Thomas Chalmers: 

The best way to overcome the world is not with morality or self-discipline.  Christians overcome the world by seeing the beauty and excellence of Christ.  They overcome the world by seeing something more attractive than the world: Christ. 

Creator, Savior, God in flesh, purpose of your life, reconciler, uniter—Jesus!  (Prayer)

ROOTED, GROUNDED

 

Last week, I preached about “Around What Does Your Life Revolve?”  Today, we find a focus for life that the Apostle Paul says is appropriate and the best.  Colossians 2:6-10 

The members of the Colossian church were confronted by a heresy in their midst.  There was a danger of leaving the true faith and going after much lesser things.  So what does Paul say to them? 

As you received Christ, continue to live in Him—How had they received Him into their lives?  By faith—by giving up other things of lesser value and committing to follow Him. 

There are times when we need to keep doing what we were doing—not to seek after other things—not to go after new experiences, new thoughts, newness for the sake of newness. 

There are times when we do need to change and seek other things.  There’s an old saying, “If you keep doing the same things, you will get the same results.”  If we are doing things that are not successful, we have to make decisions about whether something different would be better—if the results we are getting are not achieving their purposes.  But there are some basics to stick with—and that is what Paul talks about here—sticking with Jesus. 

Rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught—Here is a growth picture from agriculture. 

A good base is extra important!  For a tree, that is its root system—for a building that is its foundation.  A good foundation is crucial. 

Jesus is that good foundation, Paul says—that essential base for living a life for God. 

But some who have a good foundation—a good beginning—then give it up for lesser things.  Why?  Because they do not feed the good habit—because they do not continue to build upon the foundation with good building materials. 

So we need to be strengthened—build up those spiritual muscles—grow as a Christian. 

You began with Jesus by faith; now grow in faith to continue in faith.  Christian life is a process—there is a beginning, but no end til death—we always should be growing, changing, becoming more like Jesus. 

That is why Christians are told to read the Bible, to pray, to share their faith with others, to spend time with other growing believers, to involve themselves in missions—those are things that help keep us growing and becoming. 

If you aren’t growing, changing, becoming then you are tempted to fail as a follower of Jesus Christ—you aren’t learning who your Model—your goal is—and what He expects you to be and do. 

But life happens-we get busy with living life, earning a living, raising a family and doing numerous things.  And without some food coming through our spiritual roots—adding building materials to our Christian life—we are tempted to lose our way and leave what is best for only the good or for the evil. 

Read, pray, fellowship with real believers, share faith with others, involved yourself in ministry and missions to others—and that will help to nourish you and challenge you and make you strong when the temptations come. 

Overflowing with thankfulness—Godly people should be thankful people—thankful most of all to God for all He supplies, both materially and spiritually.  In chapter 1, the Colossian church was reminded of where they were before knowing Christ—and how Christ was revealed to them—so they might accept Him for themselves.  From left out to being part of the promise of God—from being sinful hopeless people to being those full of hope and peace.  Notice what you have but didn’t have before Christ. 

Thankful people also recognize where it all came from—from God—He is the giver of all that is good.  To be thankful, you need to realize it all comes from a loving, caring God. 

But not only are we thankful to God—we are also thankful to others in our lives who are part of our growth, our change, our building on the foundation—those who help us do life better—those who help us live with faith so we become overcomers.  So we are thankful toward people as well as God. 

Being thankful helps you grow and build on the right foundation. 

Don’t seek things which are just human things—seek God.  You can’t grow spiritually just from human ways of thinking or doing. 

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form—Jesus is God in human flesh—He is God walking and talking and modeling for you how to live life. 

John 14:9  Jesus said, “When you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.”  He is what God is—He has what God has. 

So why would one leave the fullness of God for much lesser things—especially things that are just human, earthly things?  But they were tempted to—and so are we. 

Build on the right foundation—that is Jesus, God in flesh.  Don’t get lax in constant building—in spiritual growth.  Read the Word, pray, spend time with quality believers.  Let them help you grow—but you do the same for them—help them grow. 

Be thankful to God and other people.  “Overflow” with thankfulness! 

That’s a prescription for a strong faith—a prescription for a successful Christian life. 

What do you need to be and do as a result of this Scripture?

SERMON FOR MY UNCLE'S FUNERAL

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR JAMES EDWARD BRADLEY

February 16, 2013 

A true gentleman—considerate of needs of others—interesting in dog eat dog world of business that he would keep this.  In his retirement, as I got to know him better, I saw this graciousness and generosity that was part of who Ed Bradley was—genuine. 

Married 70 years to same woman—genuine love for his sweetheart—very committed 

            Gall bladder surgery—traditional way—wanted to keep him in hospital a few more days—he had to get home to take care of his wife, Sally.  May be one reason he lived as long as he did—he had to live longer than her to take care of her and meet her needs for companionship, support, someone to be strong when she was so very frail. 

Family very important—Bradley family—grave/headstone for little sister—did what could to help take care of family/parents.

I don’t think Ed Bradley ever forgot who he was nor whose he was.  He didn’t forget roots even in the midst of running in a fast paced world that many of us do not experience in life. 

Legacy of hard work—you don’t move from Anna, Illinois to a beginning with Montgomery Ward and then Sears, to eventually move into being over the Tire Division worldwide with Sears without hard work—willingness to pay the price, to learn to manage people, to make hard decisions.  Yet in all this, as my wife said, a real gentleman.

For us today: 

Importance of faith—passed along by Grandma Bradley—went to Methodist Church in Anna.  So many in family have continued with faith in God and its importance, that she passed along.  Committed to Lord.   

One passage I would refer us to today, in seeking comfort, is Psalm 62. 

The Psalm points us to God as the One who brings salvation—Him alone.  It points us to Him as a rock, a fortress—something solid when times are hard—and death is a time when times are hard. 

Are there times when you feel like a leaning wall, a tottering fence about to fall down?  I remember Aunt Sarah—who was so frail in her last years.  I remember that Uncle Ed was a rock for her.  But ultimately, when we feel like leaning walls and tottering fences, it is God alone who provides the strength, the solidity that we need. 

The Psalm—a song—repeats the main idea in a chorus—“Wait for God—He is my rock and salvation, my fortress.  On God rests my salvation and glory.” 

Strong words about God—a Rock, a Refuge, a Fortress—One that cannot be shaken. 

And the reminder here is to trust in Him—have faith in Him—let Him be the strength in your life, even when death faces us either through the death of a loved one, or when our own death is eminent.  

“Those of low estate are a breath; those of high estate are a delusion.  In the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.” (v. 8)  How much does a breath weigh?  Status here, when death faces us, really doesn’t matter much.  Death is the great equalizer—both low and high must face this.  Whether you are national sales manager for a large corporation or a custodian in a school, we all must face death one day. 

Who has power when death comes?  God alone.  “Power belongs to God, and to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.  For you will render to a man according to his work.” 

Where is strength when death comes?  Where is power to overcome death—to enter heaven?  God—the God who loves us always and eternally.  The God who is a Rock, a Fortress, a Refuge. 

So in times like this—the place to reach out is to the Lord.  He is the provider of salvation—of heaven—of eternal life.  I can’t overcome death—you can’t overcome death.  Only God has power to overcome death, and He proved it through the resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. 

Death of a loved one is a time for each of us to reflect—Where am I in relation to God?  Where am I?  How do I stand, if today were my last? 

And the Psalmist here says, “For God alone, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.  He only is my rock and my salvation.” 

On a day like today, I draw strength in this advice.  I draw strength, knowing that even though I don’t have what it takes to deal with death, God does.   

So the advice is—reach out to God today—for comfort, for strength, for hope, for eternal life, for peace.  Have faith in Him. 

I close today with a hymn, titled, “My Hope is Built.”   

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ Name.

Refrain

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

 

Let’s reach out to the Lord today.  Let’s pray.

AROUND WHAT DOES LIFE REVOLVE?

Paul had never been to the church in Colossae.  Someone else started the church.  But through the church planter there, Paul hears of things the church may be dealing with.  So as a leader of Gentile churches, he writes them a letter addressing these situations. 

Colossians 1:15-20. 

Some think these verses may have been an early Christian hymn about Jesus.  What did Paul say about Jesus: 

1. image of the invisible God—Jesus made God visible to people—John 14:9, “When you’ve seen Me, you’ve seen the Father.”
2. firstborn over all creation—in time before all creation was
3. By him all things were created—Jesus is co-Creator with God the Father
4. Things were created FOR him—all was created to give Jesus glory and honor—to fulfill His purposes
5. In him all things hold together—He sustains everything—He causes unity and cooperation
6. Head of the body, the church—Any genuine Christian church is His church—and He is its leader
7. Beginning and firstborn from the dead—Jesus resurrected some in the Bible (Lazarus) and He was the first, in His own power, to resurrect, and then to bring others (including us) to resurrect from the dead.
8. In everything to have the supremacy—He is over all things—people, places, purposes—first place always
9. He has all the fullness of God—He is not limited as God is not limited—all the power that God has, Jesus also has
10. Through his death on the cross, Jesus is reconciler for people to God 

Do you get the impression that Paul feels Jesus is important—in fact, supreme over everyone and everything? 

Paul says, “There is none like Jesus”—He is that important.  Doing only things that God can do—given power that only God has—granting forgiveness, creating, sustaining the world, and when you see Jesus, you have seen what God is like. 

The Colossians were tested and tempted—tempted to leave their faith for teachings, philosophies and other things that were much, much less than Jesus. 

And we are too—and just like them we give in so easily to others that are so much less important than God! 

Around what does your life revolve? 

MasterLife—Avery Willis—discipleship process—1980’s. 

Illustration—the Disciples’ Cross—circle with lines going upward, downward and to each side—making a cross. 

The circle was to represent one’s life.  Question—“What is at the center of your life?” 

Teaching—“If it is filled with anything else besides Jesus, your priorities are wrong—not biblical—off track.” 

Life for the believer must revolve around Jesus.  Would you say your life does that? 

Let’s be honest: 

1. For some of us, life revolves around family instead of Jesus—family drives our decisions—Jesus does not.
2. For some, life revolves around me and my comfort and my satisfaction—not what God wants of me—especially if it costs me something—monetarily, timewise, or relationally.
3. For some, life revolves around job or vocation
4. For some, life revolves around church—not Jesus, but church—what is best for the church—separated from the Lord of the church.
5. For some, life revolves around things I own or things I want to earn 

If life revolves around our time, then maybe we can squeeze in time in our busy life for Jesus—maybe there is time for church or 5 minutes a day for a devotional reading.  But there is not time to spend time really getting to know Jesus and letting Him rule over all other decisions. 

What life revolves around is the center of life for us—the force that changes our life. 

But what if life for you and me REALLY revolved around Jesus? 

1. There would be a pull within us—a pull toward God—to know Him, love Him, make time for Jesus and His Word
2. There would be an outward pull as well—a pull to love others—believers and unbelievers, to serve others, to minister to people and care for their needs—to give, not just take.

Love God—love others as yourself. 

In truth for us—life really doesn’t revolve around Jesus, does it?  He is not supreme—He is not the center of life—He is not the purpose for which we live—is He? 

What does your life REALLY revolve around—what is the center pull of your life? 

As you answer that question, is there Someone else around which life revolves?  Paul would say, “Jesus!” 

Turn from Jesus, you turn to lesser things—and as the Colossians, you threaten to lose your way in this life. 

Where are you centered?  And what do you need to do to change that orientation of your life?

HAVE A RESTLESS HEART?

St. Augustine said in his book, Confessions, "You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until we find our rest in You."

Confessions is Augustine's chronicling of his personal conversion to Christ--the sin, the struggles, the witness of his mother, Monica, his education, and how God got his attention through this.  Worthy reading!

After all these struggles, and hearing Ambrose, a preacher that he respected and could admire for not only his teaching but his strong rhetoric and thinking, Augustine heard these words (from God), "Take and read; take and read."  He opened the Bible to a passage that told him how he was striving in many things to find God, and yet did not.  And how, he needed to give it all up for God and would find rest.  Augustine did not read the passage; the passage read him--his life, his sin, his striving in all the wrong places, his wrong priorities.

¹³ Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. ¹⁴ But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.  (Romans 13:13-14, ESV, www.biblegateway.com)

Reminds me of the struggle of the writer of Ecclesiastes, who tried all the "peak" experiences of life--tried to find fulfillment and peace, and yet found emptiness in everything but God alone.

Augustine meant peace and rest IN THIS LIFE--not just eternal peace and rest when one dies and goes to heaven and the life after earthly life.

Do you have a restless heart?  Are you trying to find peace and fulfillment in anything but God?  Augustine would say, "You will not find that, my friend."  The rest, the peace, the true joy in life is found in a personal relationship with the God who is seeking you--the God who loves you eternally--the God who can allow for peace through other experiences of life, after one has found God who gives rest.

Your heart will be restless until you find your rest in Him.  So "take and read" and see whether you see your self in God's Word, the Bible.

READING COLOSSIANS--MEETING GOD

I am preaching and teaching in Colossians this month.  I am suggesting to our people that they read the chapter for the week, and I will be preaching/teaching in that chapter that week.

I am having them look at the whole book, the whole chapter, and then each day, reading til something especially speaks to them.  In this way, God may speak in a different way to some than He has done before, as they read the Word in a different way than some have ever done before.

Here is the format that I gave people in our church, if they desire to use it.  I give it to you if it might be helpful to you.  For a different book of the Bible, you can adapt it as necessary.

Bon appetit.

LEARNING FROM COLOSSIANS

“Suggestions for reading/study time”

 

Begin each day with a prayer for God’s guidance, such as this one:  “Speak LORD, for your servant is listening.”  (1 Samuel 3:9) 

Week #1

·        Day one—Read all of Colossians in one sitting, if possible.

·        Day two—Read all of chapter 1.

·        The remaining days of the week—Read in chapter 1 until something strikes you or perks your interest.  Then stop, think about what strikes you and ask God to show you why He drew that to your attention. 

Week #2

·        Day one—Read all of Colossians, chapter 2.

·        Other days—Read in chapter 2 until something strikes you.  Think about that thought—meditate on it—spend time with it. 

Week #3

·        Day one—Read Colossians 3.

·        Other days—continue reading ch. 3 until something perks your interest.  Do as before. 

Week #4

·        Read Colossians 4

·        Other days—same format 

If you choose, you may keep a notebook or journal each day with what especially spoke to you.  That can be a record of what God said to you each day. 

I will be preaching each Sunday (February 10, 17, 24, March 3) from the chapter of Colossians that we are reading through.  I will also be doing Bible study at other services that week from that chapter.

LITERAL OR TIMELESS PRINCIPLES?

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 

·        All Scripture

·        God-breathed—inspired

·        Profitable

 

Do you take Scripture literally or look for timeless principles?

 

Sample passage--Deuteronomy 16:21—17:7 

·        Literal or timeless principles? 

·        What are some timeless principles in this passage? 

 

 

How does one decide what to take literally and when to look for timeless principles beneath the literal?

 

I believe 2 Timothy 3:16 can help us with this--determining what is there when things seem no longer relevant literally or that they do not apply.  If indeed, "all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable--then that is true always. 

·        Doctrine--Are there things in the passage that we are to believe--doctrine, teachings about Jesus, God, the church, believers?

·        Reproof--Are there things in the passage that convict me of sin--things I should be doing or things that I should stop doing?  Does the Scripture prick my conscience as a believer?

·        Correction--What suggestions does the passage give to move me from where I am to where I should be?  How does it point me back to God's way again? 

·        Training in righteousness--What is in this passage that I should be living out, doing, performing as a believer in Jesus Christ?  What is here to help me become more righteous and like the Lord Himself?

 

So when you read God's Word, what is there of relevance for you, your life, the life of your church?  At times, we find things that are literal, but other times, we look for principles that are timeless and good for any time, any where, any person.

 

Hope this is helpful!

RESTORED FORTUNES

My granddaughter Abbi was born Thursday, and it was a wonderful day of celebrating and love and tears of joy.  And then Friday morning, I had time to read in Deuteronomy 30 during the quiet early morning hours.  And this is what I read and what it said to me: 

Deut. 30:1-10 

Moses talked about what the Israelites would go through as they went into the land.  And as they lived there, they would turn to God and turn away from God—they would receive blessings for their obedience and curses and judgment and hard times for their disobedience.  But what would happen when they returned?  Restoration—and that is a very good word and a very good thing. 

v. 2-3 “When you return to the LORD your God, you and your children … with all your heart and all your soul, THEN the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you.” (ESV) 

In addition to Abbi’s safe arrival, I got an email that I will be teaching a New Testament class for the 2^nd part of spring semester as well—something I doubted would happen.  And to me this seemed to be God’s confirmation of His blessing and restoration for a very long year. 

Notice other promises to the Israelites in this passage.  V. 5  “And He will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers.”  (ESV) 

v. 9  “The LORD your God will make you abundantly prosperous in the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb, in the fruit of your cattle and the fruit of your ground.”  (ESV) 

For over a year, I had been unemployed—I had no church and no job, despite applying for many.  I felt lost, felt abandoned by the Lord at times, felt useless and too old in the eyes of people who made decisions about the jobs or positions.  For over a year.   

Then you called me as interim pastor.  And then I got to teach one class at Morthland College.  And all of that meant I still had something to give—was not forgotten nor abandoned by the Lord either. 

And then the other day—with the other class I have been asked to teach and with Abbi’s birth, I felt God was restoring the fortunes—blessing once again—not abandoning us.  We had been seeking Him during this time—we had been serving Him during this time—I had many opportunities to serve, but mostly unpaid opportunities. 

And then, what seemed a confirmation from God with this Scripture after the good news of Thursday—“restoring, prospering, growth of family”—what good news! 

The good times are there for us all—and the bad as well.  But throughout, we are to seek the Lord with all our heart, soul and strength. 

When you don’t understand—seek Him—that is faith.  When you don’t agree with what is happening nor do you feel it is fair—seek the Lord. 

A low time in the life of many churches right now?  Few people attending—much less than in the past—at times, it is frustrating and discouraging.  Where is the commitment to the Lord and the church that once was here?  Where is the joy of worshiping God and serving that once was here?  Where are the families and young people that once were here? 

And what is the future of the church? 

In the meantime, what do you do?  You seek the LORD—you obey Him diligently—you look in your own life and see whether there areas of your life that need to be more committed to the Lord and His leading. 

And maybe—just maybe—He will restore the fortunes and have compassion once again.  Maybe He will make this church prosperous with committed church members—people of all ages—people loving to gather for worship and fellowship once again. 

We have our part to play—but God also wants to restore.  In the meantime, we must seek Him—seek to obey—seek to be committed to Him.

Where one is turning away from God—there is a need to return.  Where one is living disobediently, one needs to turn back to the LORD.  Where one is being a person of doubt—one needs to turn to God in faith. 

God wants to “restore your fortunes” as a church, and “have compassion on you” and your family as well. 

And when it begins to happen, you give Him thanks, as I did last Friday morning—I recognized it as the hand of God—the goodness of God—and through Scripture—the confirmation of God. 

·        What might God be saying to YOU today through this passage?

 

• Where is there a need for restoration in your life?
• What are you doing to cooperate with God in what He wants to do for you and your church?