003 Four Pillars of a Christian

Introduction Pau Gives thanks for the Colossians

A. As the pattern of Paul’s letters he wrote he first would give an introduction and addressing the Church

B. Then he began to give Thanks for the Church

v. 4 He was thankful for the things that he heard. “since we heard,”

When I hear of Christians that I know fall away from the faith, or fall into sin it is very sad to me.

ILL. One of the men who led me to the Lord…no longer has anything to do with the Church

ILL. Doug and Larry

When I hear of those who are continuing in the faith makes want to rejoice.

ILL. Kids in Suriname

Paul heard of these saints and gave thanks for what he heard.

Four things he gave thanks for, four things I believe are pillars in Christian life

I. v. 4 Faith in the Lord Jesus

A. Faith what is it

Faith is acting upon what we believe

Hebrews 11:1 KJV 1900

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

ILL.

Hebrews 1:1 KJV 1900

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

B. Faith in our Lord Jesus is the first pillar of a strong Christian

It is believing Him and following Him

Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Faith in the Lord Jesus is when we continue to follow Jesus

Verses on following Christ

Jesus is given us a command to go to follow Him to obey His Word

ILL. I don’t say this to lift my self up, but I decided to follow Christ shortly after I was saved. I have no regrets. I wanted and still want God’s leading in everything I do.

ILL. Praying for a wife.

Lead on O King Jesus

C. This is what Paul saw in the Colossian Church

Have you made that decession

Are you still following that decesion

II. v. 4b Second thing Paul gave thanks for was their love for all the brethren

A. Ever notice the critical talk we have for those Christians who are outside our camp.

ILL. Fairhaven and Hyles-Anderson…there was no Christian love there

; ..

ILL. Pastor Crisco lived this

B. Our love for our brethren should be pattrened after the Lord Jesus

There is no room for criticism, argument, strife, hard feelings, divisions among the brethren.

John 15:12 KJV 1900

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

III. v. 5-8 third charateristic Paul was thankful for was their hope

Galatians–Colossians (King James Version) B. The Great Pillars of the Christian Life, 1:3–8

the great pillars have one great basis, the believer’s hope. Hope, the hope that God gives, is the reason we surrender our

It is the hope that God gives, it is the reason we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ and go to such limits to love one another.

A.

Only one thing could make a man love to such a point that he would sacrifice himself for another man—especially when the man is attacking or trying to destroy him. That one thing is the hope of some great promise—the hope of some great reward. Note what the hope or reward is: it is the hope that is laid up for us in heaven. What is that hope?

lives to Jesus Christ and go to such limits to love one another. Only one thing could make a man love to such a point that he would sacrifice himself for another man—especially when the man is attacking or trying to destroy him. That one thing is the hope of some great promise—the hope of some great reward. Note what the hope or reward is: it is the hope that is laid up for us in heaven. What is that hope?

It is the hope of eternal life a home in heaven, a land we have never seen.

It is the hope of being with the Lord Jesus for eternity

It is the hope that one day the battle will be over the victory will be won

no more sickness, no more sorrow, not pain, no more goodbyes, no more tears.

Hebrews 12:1–3 KJV 1900

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Hebrews 12:1-2