GVCC sermon handout 11/30/2014

Garden Valley Community Church

Pastor Shane Moffitt

November 30^th 2014

“Guard Yourself With Gratitude”

Colossians 2:1-7 NLT

¹I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally.

v READ: 4:10 & 4:18 & 4:12 & John 8:44

v Paul wrote this from prison ~ not focusing and praying for his own sufferings ~ but remaining focused on those he loved and holding them up in prayer

² I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.

³ In Him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

v How does “knit together” work? as he shares his great suffering for them ~ he prays they would feel connected to him 

v A deep confident understanding of Jesus comes not only from knowledge but also from Christian love for each other

⁴ I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments.

v HOW does this “guard” to work?                              

(1) shares his great struggles (2:1);                     

(2) he hopes this will knit (2:2) their hearts

     to his and each other in Christian unity;                                          

 (3) that out of this unity a deep   

   understanding of God (2:2b) will grow;                           

(4) out of this deep understanding of God   

     a confident encouragement of faith

     would take root (2:2);                                                                

(5) and this encouragement of faith would

                guard them from deceivers(2:3)

 

How does this “guard” our soul?

“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”   Hebrews 12:2 NLT

⁵ For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.

⁶ And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as  your Lord, you must continue to follow him.

⁷ Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him.

Then your faith will grow  strong in the truth you were taught, and                              you will overflow with thankfulness.

#1.  They were TAUGHT the Truth of Jesus

         Christ (2:7b)

#2.  They ACCEPTED Jesus Christ (2:6a)

#3.  They grew ROOTS and were BUILT UP

          (2:7a)

#4.  They were to LIVE as followers of Jesus

          Christ (2:6b)

v 2:2-3 the confidence in our knowledge of

 Jesus Christ leads us to strong

 encouragement that guards us from deceit

v 2:6-7 being rooted and built up in Jesus Christ leads to and overflowing of gratitude that guards us against deceit

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” Colossians 4:2

Gratitude is Guards our Soul