Sermon Tone Analysis

Bethlehem was not a Levitical town.

The young Levite from Bethlehem was neither born there nor made a citizen of the place, but simply “sojourned there,” i.e., dwelt there temporarily as a stranger.

The further statement as to his descent (mishpachath Judah) is not to be understood as signifying that he was a descendant of some family in the tribe of Judah, but simply that he belonged to the Levites who dwelt in the tribe of Judah, and were reckoned in all civil matters as belonging to that tribe.

On the division of the land, it is true that it was only to the priests that dwelling-places were allotted in the inheritance of this tribe (Josh.

21:9–19), whilst the rest of the Levites, even the non-priestly members of the family of Kohath, received their dwelling-places among the other tribes (Josh.

21:20ff.).

At the same time, as many of the towns which were allotted to the different tribes remained for a long time in the possession of the Canaanites, and the Israelites did not enter at once into the full and undisputed possession of their inheritance, it might easily so happen that different towns which were allotted to the Levites remained in possession of the Canaanites, and consequently that the Levites were compelled to seek a settlement in other places.

It might also happen that individuals among the Levites themselves, who were disinclined to perform the service assigned them by the law, would remove from the Levitical towns and seek some other occupation elsewhere (see also at Judg. 18:30).

Key Verse:

Big Idea: How we live matters.

Paul charges the believers to live their lives in a manner worthy of the gospel.

That is done by bearing fruit - being recognizable as a Christian and reproducing other Christians - and increasing the knowledge of God.

PRAY

REMINDERS ()

Paul

an apostle - one who is sent out

writes to Church in Colossae (saints and faithful brethren in Christ), but didn’t start this church and had not even seen most or all of them

has heard of their FAITH and LOVE which was built on their HOPE of eternal life - the gospel.

Colossian church

struggle with buffet-style heresy

Gnostics

Agnostics

Spiritists

Legalists

In a truth battle for maturity

- the SPIRITUAL REALM

For THIS REASON also - the love the Colossian church which is leading to the spreading/growing/increasing of the gospel

We have not ceased to pray - (look back to ) - this reiterates Paul’s focus and mission: TO MAKE MATURE DISCIPLES

To ask that you may be filled with

Knowledge of God’s will (same as “understood” in ) - to know reality, to acknowledge fact/truth: knowledge OF something, acknowledgement OF something (usually God, God’s word, God’s will, truth, etc)

God’s will is

Wisdom - wisdom

Understanding - intelligence, knowledge - decision making

Spiritual

Being filled - means growth, both depth and width

Growth means you become different

Growth = Change

- the PHYSICAL REALM

SO THAT you will - the reason why Paul is praying w/o ceasing for believers to be filled with the acknowledgement that God desires something, and to know what that is.

WALK - daily living, as proof that you can walk/move, to move about, to live

Worthy of the LORD - of equal weight, counter-balance

ACCORDING TO CHRIST - walk like Christ, live like Christ,

Having a desire to please Christ IN EVERY area

Increasing in EVERY GOOD WORK - evidence, growth

(Ex: Epaphras)

Growing in real knowledge, acknowledgement of God

With all power strengthened (same word for both and it is PASSIVE) according to God’s glorious power - HE IS THE POWER SOURCE

Strengthened by GOD to display:

Steadfastness - hopeful endurance

Patience - long suffering, long temper -

Ex: Jesus on the cross

What happens when we are not ‘plugged into the power source’?

What happens when we do not walk in a manner worthy of the LORD, don’t grow in understanding His will, don’t fear His name or know His commandments?

Discouraged

Retaliatory

With joy giving thanks to the Father- again, takes divine power to be truly JOYFULLY THANKFUL when patience is needed.

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The Father

Qualified us - to make able (WHY do we need to be made able?)

To have a portion of the inheritance (inheritance - casting lots)

Of the saints in light

Truth

Opposed to darkness (vs 13)

The Father rescued us - to set free, to deliver

From the domain (authority) of darkness

The Father transferred us to the kingdom of His Son (Jesus is Son of God)

IN CHRIST we have

REDEMPTION - to release, effected payment on ransom (from a ransom for slaves)

The forgiveness of sins -

WHAT NOW?

The understanding of the reality of who we are, who we were, how this happened should produce in us a desire have every aspect of our daily lives please the One who paid our ransom.

Have you had your certificate of debt taken out of the way?

If so, HOW YOU LIVING?

thankfulness?

patience/endurance?

increasing, growing, maturing, changing?

bearing fruit?

Are you walking in a manner worthy of the LORD?

Are you walking in a manner worthy of the LORD?