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Don’t Read this line - The Real Thing
Please open your Bibles to Colossians 1:3-8.
Read Colossians 1:3-8.
Perhaps you’ve experienced this, but when you spend time in another country, the people there, love to share their culture with you.
A few years back, a group from our church went to the Czech Republic.
One of the things that was shared with us, was a soft drink called Kofola.
The story goes that during their time under communism, the Czechs were unable to purchase western goods.
One thing that couldn’t be imported was Coca-Cola.
Someone took advantage of the situation and created his own version of Coca-Cola, Kofola
I can only describe it as a mix between:
RC Cola
Dr. Pepper
Cherry Pepsi
And Black Licorice.
It certainly has a … unique taste.
Though it’s trying to be the Real Thing, it’s no Coca-Cola.
Today, we find ourselves in Colossians.
Paul is writing to a church he’s never visited.
The famous Paul:
Apostle to the Gentiles.
The one who loved to preach to people who never heard the Gospel.
The Colossians were converted through the preaching of a man named Epaphras.
He’s not as famous as Paul.
He’s not as influential as Paul.
The question is were the Colossians the real thing?
Did they receive the real thing or was this the Kofola version of the Gospel.
And so Paul writes this letter to the Colossians.
He writes to affirm that what they heard is true.
He applauds the work of Epaphras.
Epaphras isn’t passing off a kofola Gospel.
He’s a faithful servant of Christ.
He’s there on Paul’s behalf.
Paul writes giving thanks to the Colossians, because he knows they’re the real thing.
Look at verse 3.
His prayers are filled with thanks, “… praying always for you.”
He writes with confidence.
This morning we will see 4 evidences to know if you are the real thing, a real Christian.
First evidence is there is a Real Faith.
Look at verse 4, Paul says “since we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus ...”
Somehow the idea has spread that faith is a private thing.
That it’s only internal and cannot be observed.
Many times I’ve met people while evangelizing and I ask what their faith is?
It’s not uncommon to hear, “My faith is private.”
Paul says something different.
“We have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus.”
It is verifiable because this faith is heard about and proven by others.
Notice that this faith is in someone.
It’s rooted in someone, Jesus Christ.
It’s the confidence and assurance that He achieved something for you.
And this is what Paul is hearing about.
So what do people hear when they hear you speak and watch you live?
If you are the real thing, then like the Colossians, people are hearing of your real faith.
It’s known.
The next evidence of being the real thing is that there is Real Love.
We see this in the second half of verse 4.
Paul says that he has heard of their faith, and also that he has heard of the love that they have for all the saints.
Another mark of genuine faith is that a person loves the church.
And it’s not just Paul who says this, these were Jesus’ own words.
John 13:35 says, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
This is a visible and active love.
I know people say our faith and religion are private, but according to Jesus, that simply can’t be.
The love that we are to have for each other is demonstrated.
And for it to be demonstrated … we have to be around each other.
Don’t let virtual church become a habit.
Internet church doesn’t work when it comes to real love.
Virtual church doesn’t work when it comes to real love.
We have to be around each other.
And what is the motivation for our love?
Let’s be honest … sometimes we are hard to love.
Sometimes you’re just a little bit grumpy.
So how are we to love one another … when it’s hard.
Our motivation to love is found in what we believe in, in what our faith is.
Our motivation for loving is found within the Gospel itself.
Each of us are sinners.
And in that sin … we are unloveable.
Your sin is gross.
Your sin is offensive.
Your sin is hated by God.
And yet, God has shown love for those who are unlovable.
He has shown love by dying for those who are sinners.
His justice called for our death.
The wages of sin is death.
His love satisfied His justice, and made peace with us.
We also love those who have sinned against us.
The second proof of you being the real thing is that you have real love, that is rooted in the Gospel, and shown by loving the unlovable.
Paul continues affirming what a real Christian is by saying there must be Real Hope.
Verse 5, “because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel”
I’m not a good spontaneous traveler.
I like to make sure everything is ready.
I like a map.
I like to know where I’m sleeping at night.
I’d like there to be a reservation waiting for me.
“Here you go Mr. Kirkendall.
Here is your key.”
Paul says that the Colossians had a hope laid up for them in heaven.
When it says that hope is laid up in heaven, it means it’s set aside, it’s reserved, it’s being held.
There is a reservation in heaven.
There’s a reservation, and it won’t be given away.
John 14:2-3, Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many rooms.
If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
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