Untitled Sermon (2)

360 Faith

Col. 1:1-8

Subject- There is a type of Christian walk that inspires others. Subject stated as a question- What are the characteristics of a life that encourages other Christians? Compliments- A Christian walk that inspires others is one that looks forward to the coming of Christ. Faith that inspires others looks back at the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Faith that inspires others is seen in our love for each other in the Spirit. Main idea: Sincere faith in the believer blesses the rest of god’s people. Homiletical idea: Lets live our faith in such a way that encourages the rest of God‘s people! Hook The letter we are starting is primarily about who Jesus is and how he is the head of the church and how we should be living as a result of Christ’s ruling and reigning from Heaven. But in our text this morning, I would say we are seeing that because of who Jesus is, we want to be living in a specific way. Paul is encouraged about three things from the Colossian church. The Colossians were living in such a way that Paul was jacked up, gushing, energized, over them. My question for us this morning is What does a Christian walk that encourages other Christians look like? Please turn with me to chapter 1 verses 3-7 of the letter to the Colossians. It is right after Philippians and right before Thessalonians. Book Let’s read our passage for this morning. Read (vs. 1-8)

Colossians 1:1–8 ESV

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

Pray.

One of the things I notice in this text is how excited Paul is about the faith of the Colossian church. It is like he can’t stop gushing. He is jacked up. Later he goes on to say “from the day we heard (of their faith and love for each other) we have not ceased to pray for you!” He is on fire for the Colossians. The Colossian faith has encouraged him during his time in chains. Throughout life, we look forward to different things. At Christmas we look forward to Christmas activities. Special movies, meals that consist of foods you only get during special times, gift exchanges, hearing the Christmas story read out loud. As a result of all the expectation, something special is in the air. The excitement of Christmas is something undeniable and as a result people are generally hopeful in anticipation of good things happening! So, to answer the question “what does a walk that encourages other Christians look like?” One of two things I see from the text are..

Look 1. A walk that inspires other Christians looks forward.

It looks forward to the coming of Christ. A. A new Heaven and a new Earth. a. A new body, crowns, inheritance. B. It is not so focused on the here and now it is set on things in Heaven where Christ is. Transition: A faith that looks forward is a faith that is empowered by hope. The hope laid up for us in Heaven, vs. 5, is something that can get us out of bed in the morning. It gives us what we need to live in a way that encourage others even during ther hard times. During the pain of life. During the humdrum of workweeks. During the monotony we find ourselves forced to sit in. Not only does looking forward give us what we need for our day, but looking back also pays us great dividends! Going to a graveyard every now and then just for the sake of reflection is a well-known perspective altering tonic. That is because every person in the cemetery has left a legacy and no longer living. It brings us into a state of mind we typically are not in. It causes us to reflect on life and think what if I was to die tomorrow. That thought causes us to want to live life to the fullest! When we look at the empty tomb of Jesus, how much more encouraged are we to live?! 2. A walk that inspires other Christians looks back.

It looks back at the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. And it does so often.

Remember to remember.

A. The gospel is most clearly seen in

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 ESV

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

a. The gospel of Jesus tells us we have been forgiven. Jesus paid our penalty on the cross!!! b. The gospel of Jesus tells us God has power over death. Jesus rose from the grave!!! c. The gospel of Jesus tells us God’s Word is sure. Transition: Faith that looks back, has roots. It gives us a foundation. The Christian faith is built upon the work God has done and is complete. When we are sure in our faith, we are unwavering in the face of trials. We are steadfast and unmovable. That is inspiring to other Christians. Not only that but our experiences as Christians can literally boost our own faith. Faith that looks forward and back is a healthy faith. 360 degree faith. Lastly, a walk that inspires others is most recognized in our ability to love others. The fruit of healthy faith is love. Specifically love for the saints. Paul says that he can’t stop thanking God for the sincere faith and genuine love the church has displayed. So... 3. A walk that inspires other Christians is seen in our love for each other. (x2) - in the Spirit.

Twice Paul speaks of the love that has been observed by Epaphras (vs 4,8). One of the last days at the church we left I was walking by the sanctuary at my church and I caught a glympse of two ladies, who work side by side in a ministry, talking about their schedules and being so accommodating and kind to each other as they traded days to allow for life’s constant flux. What’s so funny is I know firsthand the road these two have had together and how bumpy it’s been between them. I am talking messy! I was taken back. I was encouraged deeply. I didn’t say anything but I left they’re very encouraged. It has taken time but because of the common mission and the Spirit that lives in them they have found a way to live lovingly toward each other. Like I said, I was deeply moved and encouraged by this. Let’s recap, a faith that is observable to the eye and inspiring to others demands we be looking forward at what lies ahead for us in eternity and not focusing on the here and now. Not only that but, our faith is strengthened by looking back at the work Jesus did on our behalf, and the fruit of healthy faith is our love for one another which in turn encourages other Christians.

Took: That being said, let’s live our faith in such a way that we are a blessing to the rest of God‘s people by loving each other in ways that can be seen by the eye. I don’t know about you but I hear testimony after testimony of people who won’t step foot in a church because of how hurt they have been by God’s people. How about this statement? “I will take Jesus but I am done with his people.” It shouldn’t be this way!

By God’s grace, lets strive to be a people, known as the Colossians were, for their love for all of the saints. That will encourage God’s people no matter what they are going through or where they are at in the world.

Gary Chapmans Five Love Languages gives us a good window into the ways people give and experience love. Words of affirmation. Quality time. Physical touch. Acts of service. Receiving gifts. Someone once said, “what you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say”. And I think that about sums it up.

Today we’re going to take communion together. Communion is a beautiful expression of looking forward, and looking back and doing it together. We think about what Christ has done for us, and we think about what it will be when He comes back and we dwell together at the Lord’s banquet dinner in a New Heavens and New Earth. It’s a time to confess, it’s a time to receive forgiveness afresh. There is no right or wrong thing to choose to focus on. Maybe you simply listen to what your redeemed heart tells you in the moment. We will take the elements- the bread representing the body of Christ which was broken for us, the juice representing the blood of Christ that was poured out for us. When Jesus instituted the practice at the Last Supper he told his disciples to take the elements in remembrance of Him. Let’s continue the practice together today.

When everyone has recieved the elements I will pray and then we will have a moment of silent reflection. You may take the elements at any time you see fit during that reflection time.

Let’s pray.

Benediction: 1st Thes. 5:23-24

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 ESV

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.