Untitled Sermon (5)

Pray

Boys in the Boat is the thrilling true story of the 1936 University of Washington crew team, which went from backwater obscurity to a gold medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Few sports carry the aristocratic pedigree of crews from Yale, Harvard, and Princeton. But no one imagined that a crew from Washington, of all places, could be competitive. And yet author Daniel James Brown shows how the University of Washington built a team from kids raised on farms, in logging towns, and near shipyards. That blew away their Californian rivals and bested the elite of New England to become the American Olympic Team and won the gold medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

This ragtag team of Americans won Olympic gold by maintaining a sense of unity amidst diversity. Daniel James Brown explains how eight individuals of varying statures, physiques, and personalities capitalize on their diversity; he writes:

Races are won by crews, and great crews are carefully balanced blends of both physical abilities and personality types … A crew composed entirely of eight amped-up, overtly aggressive oarsmen will often degenerate into a dysfunctional brawl in a boat or exhaust itself in the first leg of a long race. Similarly, a boatload of quiet but strong introverts may never find the common core of fiery resolve that causes the boat to explode past its competitors when all seems lost. Good crews are good blends of personalities: someone to lead the charge, someone to hold something in reserve; someone to pick a fight, someone to make peace; someone to think things through, someone to charge ahead without thinking. Somehow all this must mesh. That's the steepest challenge. Even after the right mixture is found, each man or woman in the boat must recognize his or her place in the fabric of the crew, accept it, and accept the others as they are. It is an exquisite thing when it all comes together in just the right way.”

We hear this story this morning, and for any sports team, organization or business that has ever existed… although there may be an element of individual talent or ability, far too often, the success of a group comes down to the team dynamic. It comes down to how each team member does their part in working with the other members.

This same is true for the church. We’re all familiar with the words of 1 Corinthians that tell us 12 There is one body, but it has many parts… We are all aware of the fact that God has brought us together as both thee church (big picture) and Kenton Alliance Church (individually.) but where I want us to go this morning, is this idea of doing ministry together. This idea of unity. What’s the value of meeting face-to-face.

You see as the end times approach closer and closer by the day, there becomes this need to stand together.There becomes this need for unity within the body.

If you have your bibles turn with me to Colossians 1:24. And as you turn there, we’re going to discuss 3 ideas this morning. 1. United in Love. 2. United In Triumph. 3. United in allegiance.

1. United in Love

1I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

We stop and consider the scripture, there are a few things I want us to notice. First, if you’ve been here the last couple of weeks, you’ll recall that Paul is writing to a group of new believers in the Colossian Church. And these believers have been exposed to a variety of different philosophies which are trying to infiltrate the church. The first viewpoint is the judaistic thinking which suggests that people have to earn their salvation, it’s a salvation by works rather than by grace. You’ll also recall if you were here last week that this Colossian culture was exposed to Greek philosophy and reasoning, and one of the key heresies was that that God was good… but created things were evil… and they reasoned that since God was Good, God Could never become man. Because again, all of creation was evil.

So, this is one of the primary occasions as to why Paul writes this Colossian church. and in verse 4, Paul would touch on this as he would say: 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

So, Paul is speaking against those who would try to introduce fine-sounding arguments. And would write to affirm this church of their faith and their foundation.

We also see in verse 2 that Paul would Discuss this church and explain: 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love (some of your translations say Knit Together) so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

And as I was studying and preparing, this idea of full riches of complete understanding, and the treasure of wisdom and knowledge kept coming to mind. And in reflecting, this idea of spendingcame to mind. In other words, riches, or treasure aren’t there just to look good. Know riches, and treasure are meant to be spent on something.

And the truth is, is that as we have an understanding of Christ, and look to him for wisdom and knowledge.. that this wisdom and knowledge helps us In life. Not only do we have the proper perspective of life, and our role in it (and so on) we also know how to handle circumstances, and challenges, and situations. Our understanding and wisdom allows us to adequately navigate life.

But I want to draw our attention back to verse 1 and 2 which explains: 1I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ.

Now Just so we know, there’s really 3 cities which lay near together in the valley of Lycus, the church of Laodicea, the church of Hierapolis and the church of Colossae. And evidently these 3 cities are regarded as forming one Christian community.

So, Paul writes and explains how he is contending for the Colossae church, for those at Laodicea, and even for those who he has not met, which I would argue includes us this morning…. But his goal is that they (the church) may be encouraged in heart and united in love.

You see here’s the point this morning friends, is life is difficult. We touched on this last week, but if I were to ask you again this week… (sorry to bring it up again) but if you faced challenges this week, who here would raise their hand. Now certainly, we have the Lord, and he calls us to cast all our cares on Him. But guess who he gives us? Each other.

Hebrews 10:24-25 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Friends, life is difficult, from one day to the next, we need to encourage one another, we need to meet together. We need to be unified as we go through life.

I came through an article this week that explains: When he was a kid, Kevin Boyer's parents left him special notes in his lunch box. Now he's keeping that tradition alive with his own students. Boyer is the family and student support coordinator at Gorsuch West Elementary in Lancaster, Ohio.

Last year, he wrote a personalized letter to every student in the school, and he's doing it again this year. Every day, he pens six notes, so that by the last day of school, he will have written a letter to all 600 students. Boyer makes it a point to learn the name of every kid in the school. He also finds out their interests and hobbies so when it's time to write their letters, they are one-of-a-kind. Boyer told local reporters that some students tape their letters to their desks, while others have told him they proudly display the notes on their refrigerators at home.

Friends, I’m encouraged by the example of Kevin Boyer. And dare I say, for some of those kids, a letter just once a year probably isn’t enough. For some of us these kids, coming from difficult home lives, perhaps verbal or physical abuse or other situations at home… these letters probably remind them they are loved, these letters probably remind them that they are thought of, that the matter.

You see for us this morning church, in a world which is getting darker and darker by the day… In a world where the father of Lies wants to tear us apart, friends, we must stand together.

1 John 4:8-8 says: 7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Friends this morning, how are we doing with loving others? 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

Paul likely didn’t know these Colossian brother and sisters that he was writing to… He was absent from them in body, but present in spirit… Friends, this morning, we are present in body, are we present in spirit? Are we allowing ourselves to love our family, to love others in the church… so that in everything we say and do that it’s unto the glory of God? Does other see Jesus in you this morning?

May we allow our love to bring unity.

2. United in Triumph

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

As we turn to the scripture, you’ll recall from 2 weeks back this idea of being rooted and built up in the Lord. And Paul encourages the Colossian Church in vs 6: 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

So, there’s this idea of being built up, and rooted… and established… and strong. Paul then goes on to tackle this idea of not allowing anyone to take the people captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy. Then in vs 10 says 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.

By the way, when I see, the words been brought to fullness, and then this idea (vs 7) of overflowing with thanksgiving… I can’t help but think of thanksgiving which of course is coming up in Just 2 weeks, but there’s this idea of being filled with more of God… and less of me… Then in vs 11 it discusses this idea of circumcision. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ,

By the way, circumcision was a common custom throughout Israel’s history. And there were 2 schools of thought, First, we know that all Jewish boys were circumcised on the eight day after birth… and it was a sign that they belonged to the covenant nation of Israel. The first school of thought was that this circumcision alone was enough to save somebody.

The 2ndschool of thought recognized that circumcision was only an outward demonstration that man was born sinful and needed cleansing.

But here Paul expresses that 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins.

You see here’s the point… that at one point… each of us were dead in our sins and the uncircumcision of our flesh… But here’s the point, God made you (made us) alive with Christ and He forgave us all our sins.

You see church, you may have a lot in common with a co-worker this morning, but have you ever truly considered that those around you, those in this room are your brothers and sisters in Christ. Sure, you may have a different last name, you may have different hobbies… but think about it, we will spend an eternity with Jesus.

You see, sometimes differences can get In the way, taste in music, preference in wall color,or other petty things. Church we’re family.

13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Church, he nailed it to the cross. He gives you victory this morning. Despite our differences, we triumph, we celebrate together this morning.

Talking about the Olympics again for a moment… I found an article that explains, with the Olympics gearing up, we remember and celebrate the winners —the gold and silver and (maybe) bronze medal winners. But sadly, while we cheer winners, most of us don't know how to lose well. A recent NPR article takes a look at the negative effects of rooting for those who lose. For instance, the article notes, "The agony of defeat manifests in athletes' bodies as well—especially on their faces. Researchers have found that study participants only had to watch about four seconds of basketball or table tennis games to recognize—from the looks on the athletes' faces—who was winning and who was losing. The participants were also able to quickly surmise whether the game was close or a blowout."

Friends here’s the point… we don’t have to walk around with our faces to the ground. We don’t have to be discouraged; friends we know how it ends… I’m reminded of the song, trading my sorrows. Though sorrow last through the night… Joy Comes in the morning… Friends, we have victory in Jesus this morning. We are joyful, and triumphant. Would this lift our faces, as we interact with each other, knowing… that we know how it ends!

3. United in allegiance

20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

When we consider the scripture, Paul is addressing the idea of asceticism that was common in the Colossae culture. And it’s this idea of gaining salvation through self-denial. And throughout history, there have been many who have practiced asceticism if we think of monks or nuns for instance, there’s this idea of gaining salvation through works rather than through grace.

And in this setting, Paul addresses this thinking of those practicing heresy in this culture and says: 20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings

But here’s the point. We can live in a culture. In a country, In a state, where there are rules and regulations but just because the government passes laws doesn’t make it right.

You see I was heartbroken when I woke up on Wednesday morning to hear that this state has legalized recreational marijuana and also done away with the sanctity of life and legalized abortion

And I don’t know about you, but my bible says: ““Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

You see, this nation, or state can pass laws… but most importantly, we must pledge allegiance to the Lamb.

Church, we may have a lot about us that’s not the same. I may love seafood; you may hate it. I may love chevy trucks, you may love dodge… These are petty things… but friends, now more than ever, we need to stand together.

You see as you well know, we’re entering a pivotal year. In just one year, the presidential election will take place. And other key members will be voted into government…. Even earlier this week, the GOP debates began. And here’s my point, it’s not to discuss presidential candidates, or advocate for this person over that person… instead, church, would we be united as thee church this morning.

Reminded of the words of Matthew 24:30-34 30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. 32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it[e] is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Friends we may not know the idea or the hour… but we know his return is imminent. And while we may have our differences, church, we have so much in common this morning. Friends, would we stand together… would we pray together, would we be a people that are encouraged… and would we love each other well this morning.

As we close out of service this morning, we’re going to do so with a slightly unconventional way. You see on Friday of this week as I was preparing for this sermon, the words of Ray Boltz came to mind. From his song, I pledge allegiance to the lamb. So, where you are, sing, pray, thank God.

But church, would we be a people that stand united in love, united in triumph, and united in allegiance to the Lamb this morning.

Pray

Pledge allegiance to the Lamb…

Phil 3:17-20

17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.