Gtcotr/ss053021
Today is Memorial Day Sunday in the US. We are truly a grateful nation beholden forever to those soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who lost their lives on the fields of battle to keep our nation safe and our people free. We honor the memory of the fallen and remember their sacrifice.
Despite the continuing concerns and many disappointments of the recent past, the United States of America is still the best and the most God blessed country in the world. I love America and I am proud our nation has set aside a day to respect those who died in uniform for her defense. May we never forget and may God continue to bless the USA.
This morning is also Family Sunday at COTR. We will be reading from the 1st chapter of Paul’s letter to the Church in Colossae. Might I remind us that:
No one is born by accident and nothing is done without God’s notice. Ephesians 2 confirms that we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
I cannot imagine better news than to hear that the Creator of the universe noticed my birth and has invited me to participate in His eternal plan. You are special to God and because of His plan to save souls, He has given you great access and amazing abilities.
You have been given the opportunity to know God and to introduce Him to others. God’s hand is firmly on your life even when you don’t feel Him. He holds you close to His heart. Today God wants to make sure you know a special secret that others in times past did not know.
Let’s begin by reading:
Colossians 1 NLT
25 God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you.
What is God’s message to you right now?
·
You can depend on Jesus.
o
He is loving, kind, merciful, and true
o
He knows what you are facing
o
He is easily touched by everything that
concerns you
o
Jesus wants to be your friend – He has chosen
you …
·
Your words make a difference.
o
Your words authorize life or death to work in
and around you
o
You can say yes or no to eternal life for
yourself, and (?) others
o
You can say yes or no to healing, hope, and
the return of joy
o
What you tell yourself makes a difference
(Proverbs 18:20-21)
o
What you say to others can bring them closer
to, or push them farther from, Jesus.
·
God forgives …
o
So should we
o
It was a secret for generations … now it’s
not …
o
The greatest secret ever … Jesus lives in
you!
o
This should give you a lot of hope for the
future …
26 This message was kept
secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to
God’s people.
27 For God wanted them to
know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is
the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.
28 So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.
This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past but now it has been revealed to you. The secret is Christ lives in you!
Not only did God attend your birth and assign His Holy Angels to watch over you as you grew up, but God also sent, and is still sending, messages and messengers to you to offer salvation through His Son Jesus. Now, if you have believed and been born-again, Christ lives in you!
God
has forgiven you; Your words are more powerful than ever; and You can depend on
Jesus. Christ in you is your assurance and hope of glory!
