Superior Satisfaction: The Believer's Pattern

Thesis: Because Christ is First above all, He alone fully satisfies those who trust in Him.

Colossians 1:3-8

Introduction:

Thesis: The message of the Gospel’s multiplying consequence is effective in transforming a life to the Glory of God.

The Motivated Believer (V.3-4)

Believers in Christ rejoice in the salvation of others and pray for them.

The believer in Christ recognizes the glorious position of the new believer and rejoices with heaven over their new state. (Luke 15:1-10) *1

The believer must always have an attitude of prayer. (I Thessalonians 5:18) *2

The believer must take account of his sins for God does not hear the prayers of those who have unconfessed sin. (Psalm 66:18)

The believer must prioritize his prayer for others. (Matthew 6:11-13)

Pray for daily physical needs.

Pray for daily spiritual needs.

Forgiveness of sin.

Deliverance from temptation.

The believer’s motivation for joy and prayer for their brethren stems from the outworking of true genuine faith; Paul rejoiced over them and prayed for them because He saw their faith working out.

The Increasing Believers (V.4-6)

Believers in Christ are numerous, expanding their numbers while demonstrating their growth in Him through their actions and attitude.

Believers place their faith in Christ alone and demonstrate their faith in loving other believers. *3

Nothing else satisfies as He does.

Nothing else can satisfy as He does.

God is love and demands that we love fellow believers as He does. (I John 3:14) *4

Believers confidently anticipate through their faith the joys of heaven, which they learned from the Gospel Truth. *5, *6

Believers understand that the nature of the Gospel is change: it changes a sinner into a believer and a believer into the image of Christ. *7

This change evidences itself in definable results. (John 15:5)

This change multiplies itself all throughout the believing world.

The Effective Believer (V.7-8)

Believers dedicated to Christ are effective in Christ.

Believers bear an effective message. *8

As Epaphras brought the message of the Gospel to Colossae and it bore fruit, so also will it with modern believers who teach it to their contemporaries.

The message is effective to save from sin and to transform the life to please the Lord. (Mark 1:15, II Corinthians 5:17)

Believers demonstrate dedication to their faith in Christ through submission to Him. *9

Believers submit wholly to Him for He desires their lives. (Luke 9:23-26)

Believers adhere diligently to the Word of their Lord and the works He has intended for them to perform. (Luke 12:43)

Believers comfort other believers with the testimony for Christ of others. *10

Believers use their words to minister grace to the need of the moment for believers. (Ephesians 4:29)

Believers receive great encouragement in hearing other believers’ testimony of faithfulness.

Conclusion: