Family Life: Thankful Prayer
Notes
Transcript
9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
Government, Savior, False Religion, Economics
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,
7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
1. Don’t be deceived and taken captive:
1. Don’t be deceived and taken captive:
Law is deceptive
Secular comedian
Grandparents’ day - Work or take care of kids, whole time you could drink, smoke, or gamble
Today work, take care kids, don’t drink, don’t smoke, drink heaps of water, don’t overeat, starve a bit but not too much, do yoga, pay the mortgage, have an investment property, contribute to social security but never retire, go on fancy holidays, cook like a chef, give to charity, be a good neighbor, be a good listener, be a people person, be a life long learner, be spiritual, set an example, leave a legacy, read more, sleep more, sleep less, sleep better, volunteer, visit old people, don’t visit old people, wash your hands and keep your distance and wear a mask, reduce your carbon footprint, count your steps, and check your privilege.
8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully,
20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—
21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch”
22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings?
23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
Why do you think rules will keep you from being deceived? From keeping evil at bay? From keeping you walking in the light?
Our destiny is to rule with Christ because He is in charge
Our destiny is to rule with Christ because He is in charge
9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,
10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Are you thankful Christ makes you able to rule and reign with him? Not just live and then die, 1 of billions of people who lived on the earth? Not have your dreams shattered by old age, ill health, missed opportunities and horrible errors?
Do you remind your fellow brothers and sisters that they are joint heirs with Christ?
Benefits of a large family - presence, uniqueness,
Our hearts are alive to obeying Him because we are united to His death and resurrection
Our hearts are alive to obeying Him because we are united to His death and resurrection
11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn.
3 For thus says the Lord to the men of Judah and Jerusalem: “Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.
4 Circumcise yourselves to the Lord; remove the foreskin of your hearts, O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, because of the evil of your deeds.”
13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
We can delight in obeying God. We can not be deceived. We can be grateful for his victory over Satan, the law, and death. In Christ.
2. Therefore we should be abundant in thankful prayer.
2. Therefore we should be abundant in thankful prayer.
Thankful for ruling and not dying
Thankful for delighted obedience rather than begrudging slackness
Thankful we can put sin to death rather than simply cage it in with rules
Thankful regardless of how the elections go or whether miracles happen or whether we have enough money or way too much, or whether we are comfortable or not, or whether we are successful or not
Thankful in our families, Thankful in our church family, Thankful daily, weekly, yearly
Community Group questions
What amazes you about one day ruling and reigning with Christ?
Having a circumcised heart means you’re sensitive and eager to obey God. What things get in the way of that at times? What are some ways you work at delighting in obeying God?
Describe some ways people get taken captive by the law. What other philosophies take people captive away from Christ?
What things are you grateful for a)in our church, b) in your community group, c) in your family, d) in God’s work in your life?
How can you encourage thankful prayer in your family or other connections you have?