Potential

Gtcotr/ss111625 

Exodus 1:12  But the more the Egyptians afflicted the Children of God, the more they multiplied and grew. And the Egyptians were in dread of them. 

God designed life in such a way that every problem we face comes power packed with the potential to make us stronger and more like Him. Life is exercise. God does not tempt us with evil or burden His children with trials and tribulations. These things come from any number of other sources including the devil and our own wanderings. Nonetheless God is committed to using everything we face in life for our benefit and for His glory. He will comfort and increase our strength and substance so that the more we are mistreated by this world, the greater our potential to multiply and grow becomes. It is a law of God. 

The more we are afflicted, the more we multiply and grow. 

Often when we encounter problems, we don’t stop and imagine the potential resident in that problem. You can begin to access the power of a problem by inviting God into that problem. He helps us find victory in the midst of the problem, even before we gain victory over the problem. And, many times We experience victory in the situation before we experience victory over the situation. 

Problems come power packed with potential. God is never farther away than the mention of His name. He will suddenly bring a peace which will pass all understanding; He will suddenly manifest His overriding power; He will suddenly show up with the undeniable answer. We don’t need to understand why when the answer is God. Today we are going to discover how to find and release the power resident in our problems and turn our trials into testimonies. 

Even when you walk through the valley of the shadow of death God prepares a table for you in the presence of your enemies and He also commands goodness and mercy to follow you everywhere you go. We don’t always recognize His promise of provision and the potential in the valley because we get so focused on the problems in the valley. 

I believe that the James who wrote the New Testament book of James was also the Lead Pastor of the first Church in Jerusalem. James would have been given the responsibility of leading the Apostles, Elders, Deacons and congregation members through those difficult early years of the great persecution in Jerusalem. Problems abounded and trouble seemed on every side. Neither the religious Jewish leaders nor the Roman government had much tolerance for these new followers of Jesus. Persecutions and executions were commonly dealt out to the Believer along with all manner of temptation which the devil brought during those days.  

In efforts to help the Believer focus on the potential and not be swallowed up by the problems, Pastor James wrote: 

James 1 NKJV 

2 ¶  My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 

3  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 

4  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 

Pastor James reveals two key elements to unlocking the potential resident in trials and tribulations. He gave us two factors which Turn trials into testimonies are: 

• 1. Trust (faith) 
  
• 2. Time (patience) 
  

If you are in the middle of a temptation, or even in the middle of the Great Tribulation, you can turn your trial into a testimony and release the potential hiding in your problem. You don’t have to be a victim, you can be victorious – even over death, hell and the grave – how much more over the temporal afflictions of this life. 

2 Corinthians 4 NKJV 

17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 

18  while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 

At times it’s hard to imagine a testimony when you are facing a trial. 

However, God inspired James to teach us how to walk through difficult places without being defeated by those difficulties. 

Every testimony was at one time a trial. 

We don’t have to treat broken things as if they cannot be mended by the Lord. Faith and patience works. 

Job 36: 11  If they obey and serve Him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures. 

This world is broken. It is our trust in God which holds us steady on course during the time We are going through some things we do not want, in order to get to some things we do want. Our trust in God enables us to maintain focus on the promise and not the problem. Trust in God gives time to discover the potential and release the power. When we trust God, He turns our trials into testimonies. 

This was true for Noah, it was true for Job, it was true for Moses and Esther, Rahab and David, it was true for Paul and true for Jesus, and it is true for me and true for you as well.  

Trust and time will turn your trials into testimonies.  

Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of patience, that after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise. 

Hebrews 6:12 Don’t be spiritually dull or indifferent, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 

Psalms 27:13 I would have fainted, had not I believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 

There is potential in the problem you are facing. God will find a way to make it work for your good. There is a testimony hidden in your trial. When you give it to God it will serve your best interests and bring glory to Him. There is potential yet undiscovered in the pressures you are experiencing right now. Instead of letting them get you down and potentially affect your physical and mental health, turn them over to God, be patient, and watch Him grow your spiritual strength.  

Trust God, Invite Him into your problem and be patient. Give Him the time He needs to complete His work in you and on you so He can work for you and through you. 

Do you lack faith; do you need patience? They are both fruits of the Holy Spirit. These two fruits will grow quickly and sufficiently as you exercise your trust in God. These fruits of the Spirit are watered and weeded through prayer, the Word of God, and fellowshipping with other Believers.  

Don’t let the devil convince you that you are a victim or that you are all alone in your trouble. Reach out to God and to other Believers, and keep yourself involved in life, work, family, and the Church. God wants to insulate you; the devil wants to isolate you. Invite God into your problem.  

God is speaking to some of you right now – on campus and online. He is that voice in your head … that little nudge. You need to turn your situation over to God and trust Him with the outcome. Believe me, no matter how bad it may be, God will make it better. The one thing you need to add to your problem is God … He can make something good out of anything you give Him … He will help. What you need to do is ask … 

The journey to turning your trials into testimonies begins with the first step. That step may just lead you right down here to the altar where you can present your decision to God in prayer. Decide to invite Him in … 

Let’s pray!

The Book of Colossians Part 5 — New Life in Christ

Colossians 3:1–17

SERIES REVIEW              

Part 1 — Rooted in Christ 

• • The roots of our faith as believers are only strong when they are founded in Christ. 
  
• • Rooted in the Gospel — The same message that saves us is the one that continues to sustain and grow us daily. 
  
• • Rooted in the Word — God’s Word anchors us in truth, fills us with wisdom, and keeps us from drifting. 
  
• • Rooted in Relationship — A close walk with God gives us strength, patience, and joy through His power, not our own. 
  
• • Ultimately, your roots determine your fruit—so make sure your life is planted firmly in Christ. 
  

Part 2 — Supremacy of Christ 

• • Lord over all creation —Everything in heaven and on earth was created by Him, through Him, and for Him. He holds all things together and rules over all that exists. 
  
• • Lord of the church — As the head of the body, Jesus leads, directs, and sustains His people. The Church must take its direction from Him alone. 
  
• • Lord over redemption — Through His death and resurrection, Jesus reconciled us to God. The fullness of God dwells in Him, and peace was made through His cross. 
  
• • Lord of over your life — He made you, saved you, and sustains you. Therefore, He deserves full authority over every area of your life—don’t let culture redefine who He is. 
  

Part 3 — Christ in You: The Hope of Glory 

• • Jesus lives in you — The same power that raised Him from the dead is alive inside of you right now. 

• • You’re never alone — Wherever you go, God goes with you. His presence doesn’t leave when life gets hard. 
  
• • He changes you from the inside out — Real transformation happens when you let Jesus work in your heart, not just when you try harder. 
  
• • There’s always hope — No matter what’s going on, Christ in you is the guarantee that your story isn’t over and the best is still ahead. 
  
• • Let Him shine through you — The way you love, forgive, and treat people should show the world that Jesus is alive in you. 
  

Part 4 — Guarded in Christ 

• Guard against deception — Knowing the real Christ cause counterfeits stand out. 

• Guard against religion — Good works don’t save; they flow from salvation. 

• Guard against empty practices — Don’t trade spiritual reality for hollow behavior. 

• Stay in the Word, stay in community, stay alert, stay connected to Jesus. 

PART 5:  NEW LIFE IN CHRIST           

Introduction 

Imagine this, you have been working outside in the yard all day long. You have been mowing the lawn, tending to the garden, digging a fresh ditch, etc. It was hot outside so you are all sweaty, you stink, and you got grass and dirt stains all over you. You come inside and of course you have to take a shower and get cleaned up. Now imagine, after getting all clean, you go and put those same old sweaty stinky clothes right back on. I can’t even imagine that! 

No one puts on their old stinky clothes after they have been washed and been cleansed. No! After they have been cleaned, they put on fresh new clothes that have been cleansed and folded to be ready to go. Putting old clothes on doesn’t even make sense! 

Yet, that is what Paul is talking about here in Colossians 3. Paul was informing his readers that they have been born again and have been washed in the blood of Jesus. They have been cleansed and are white as 

snow. However, Paul is encouraging them as born again believers to no longer put on old garments from their former way of life. Instead, he says to put on the new man that has been created in Christ Jesus. 

Similarly, if we have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, why would be put on the old garments from our past life? Instead, we must look to put on the new. Let’s take a look at it together… 

Main Idea — Being in Christ means putting off the old life and putting on the new. 

• 1. SEEK THINGS ABOVE
  
  Colossians 3:1-3 — “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
  
  
• A. Set your heart on things above 
  
• - This means: aim your desires upward. What you love determines how you live. 
  
• - If your heart is anchored to the world, your life will look like the world. 
  
• - If your heart is anchored to Christ, your life will look like Christ. 
  
  
• B. Set your mind on things above 
  
• - It does not mean to ignore your earthly responsibilities  
  
• - It doesn’t mean to live with your head in the clouds 
  
• - It means fixing your thoughts on heaven 
  
• - Focusing less on the temporary and more on the eternal 
  
• - Focusing less on earthly values and more on kingdom values 
  
• - Focusing less on culture’s truth and more on truth found in His Word 
  
  
• C. Why? Because your life is hidden with Christ 
  
• - You are a new creature in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17) 

• - The things that fed us in the past was found in this world 
  
• - The things that feed you now are the things of God 
  
  
• D. The battle of the Christian life is won in the mind 
  
• - What you are thinking about is either leading you to God or away 
  
  
• 2. PUT TO DEATH THE OLD SELF
  
  Colossians 3:5-11 — “5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds…”
  
  
• A. Paul says to put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature 
  
• - Desires: Sinful cravings of the flesh 
  
• - Attitudes: Feelings and beliefs that influence how we think and feel 
  
• - Behaviors: What you repeatedly do without thinking 
  
• - Patterns: Repeating cycles and habits that keep you in a prison 
  
  
• - That is strong language, but it is intentional. He is saying that we cannot negotiate with our old self/ flesh. Instead we have to crucify it.  
  
• - This is who you USED TO BE… “Which you yourselves once walked…” 
  Old you = who you were before Christ 
  New you = who you are because of Christ 
  
  
• B. The old self is a worldly version of you— it is the version of you that lived without Christ. 
  
• - “Put to death…” That is strong language, but it is intentional. 

• - Paul is saying that we cannot negotiate with our old self/ flesh. Instead we have to crucify it.  
  
• - This is who you USED TO BE… “Which you yourselves once walked…”
  
• - Therefore we must stop feeding and entertaining the old self. 
  
• - We must actively put to death the old man 
  
  
• C. Put the old man to death! 
  
• - Starve him 
  
• - Cut off his access 
  
• - Replace him with the new man 
  
  
• 3. PUT ON THE NEW SELF
  
  Colossians 3:12-17 — “12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
  
  
• A. Paul says to “put on” the new man in Christ 
  
• - Clothing was very significant in the ancient world, it represented identity 
  
• - So the Colossians would have understood that Paul was telling them to dress yourself in your new identity in Christ 
  
• - In the same way that you intentionally put on clothes, we must intentionally put on the new man. 
  
  
• B. We must put on: 
  
• - Mercy/ Compassion 
  
• - Kindness 
  
• - Humility 
  
• - Gentleness 

• - Long-suffering/ Forgiveness 
  
• - Love 
  
  
• C. Let the peace of God rule your hearts
  15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
  
• - Rule = Referee; decision-maker 
  
• - Allow the peace of God to be the deciding factor in your life 
  
• - Let peace takeover before allowing the bitterness, anger, and unforgiveness to sprout back up in your heart. 
  
• - The peace of God will govern your heart and protect it of you allow it 
  
  
• D. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly
  16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
  
• - Allow His Word of God to live in you “richly” 
  
• - God’s Word dwells in our mind and then it leaks into our heart 
  
• - We gain it through  
  
• • Reading 
  
• • Teaching 
  
• • Encouraging one another 
  
• • Singing the Word of God 
  
  
• E. Do everything in the name of the Lord
  17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
  
• - In all things, in both word and deed… 
  
• - Do everything as God’s representative  
  
• - At the end of the day, it is all about Jesus. 
  
• - And be grateful and thankful for the goodness of God and His grace at work in your life. 

TAKEAWAY QUESTIONS 

• I. What will I intentionally seek to keep my mind on Christ?
  
  
• II. What part of my old self do I still need to put to death? 
  
• • My attitudes? 
  
• • My thoughts? 
  
• • My habits? 
  
• • My desires? 
  
• • My language? 
  
• • My relationships? 
  
  
• III. What part of the new self do I need to put on? 
  
• • Mercy/ Compassion 
  
• • Kindness 
  
• • Humility 
  
• • Gentleness 
  
• • Long-suffering/ Forgiveness 
  
• • Love

Selah Seasons of Life

Proverbs 31:25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. 

There is a season of a women’s life after children are raised, maybe approaching retirement. It’s often where a lot of women describe finally feel sure of themselves and not caring so much what other people think, “enjoying the skin they are in.” But it is also often the time in life referred to as “empty nest” or “midlife crisis.” This is sometimes where a marriage fails or a new one begins, or when a second career begins. It’s where grandchildren start to come into the picture. So many endings but so many beginnings all mixed in together. It’s enough to make your head spin or make you want to tap out. It’s a big basket weave of I don’t know how I feel!!! 

But I’m here to offer a road sign, a warning, if you will of this crossroads ahead.  

It can be the greatest season of your life if you are prepared for it. At least I think so but it’s also the season I’m in so I’m partial. I’m loving this season of life. I feel the most fruitful, the most productive, and the most satisfied that I’ve ever felt.  

I almost feel like I am getting a redo of my 20s. My cousin who is also single later in life told me the other day it’s like being a luxurious teenager! 

I was married at 20- started having children immediately- divorced at 39 – put all my energy into protecting my children and nurturing them through that very difficult time. I had to provide for them financially, help them get to college and make sure their little dreams could all come true and then one day … those jerks left!  

All joking aside, I was all of a sudden faced head on with the death of a dream. I had dreamed and prayed and believed for the 19 years of my marriage that it would change, that my faith would be enough to get my family to the end story, but I had to come to the conclusion that it didn’t all depend on me. No matter how much I believed or hoped, and because of circumstances outside my control, it was over. And not only was it over it was never going to happen. 

This season may require facing some harsh realities. It might be a medical diagnosis for yourself, a spouse, a friend. It might be your children going off to college or moving away. It might be a divorce or the end of a career or an actual death.  

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer,I have overcome the world.” 

By this time in life, you either have faced or will face some trouble. It is unavoidable. I’m not prophesying doom and gloom or speaking negativity over you. I’m a road sign remember…there are potholes ahead! 

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”  

Full Disclosure- I thought I was quoting Closing Time from the 90s but its actually a Roman Philosopher Seneca who died in 65 AD!!! 

But I am here to tell you of the beauty found in endings, and mourning those endings. The Word says there is beauty found in ashes. Ther is an intimacy with God available to you in sadness if you will sit in it and allow God to speak to you, to change you, to walk with you.  

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. 

Left without a husband, left without children to care for, left without a home of my own … who am I? Not only left without things that I had had, I now had some additional baggage that I had NOT had before. What do I do about that? I’m road weary and a little banged up from the journey but man I’ve seen some glorious geography and made some valuable memories along the way.  

But … When everything else was gone, there was my King. Where he had always been, ever present despite my busy-mindedness, ever faithful despite my failures, wanting a relationship with me even though it might seem like no one else did.  

This is a season in life when I think it is imperative to stop and reevaluate. This is a natural stop on the roadtrip of life. I think everyone should plan ahead for it. Even if you don’t experience traumas or tragedies, it is still a natural place, halfway through life to pause and reflect. 

Selah – this is a word found in Psalms and Habakkuk and its exact meaning is uncertain but it functions as a cue to stop and reflect and contemplate the preceding text or music. Its assumed desired effect is to allow us to absorb a profound truth or to let the instruments play alone.  

Everyone stop and close your eyes for a moment, take a deep breath and let it out slowly and think about the last really happy thing that happened to you. Maybe it was laughing so hard you couldn’t breathe or a beautiful sunset or great meal. Now take a deep breath again. Selah. Now say it out loud with me. Selah. Open your eyes. That’s selah. A deep appreciation and consideration.  

74 times in the OT 

“Amen” is used 28 times 

“Hallelujah” 23 times 

Selah is said almost three times more than Amen or hallelujah.  

A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son. 

3 Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! 
Many are they who rise up against me. 
2 Many are they who say of me, 
“There is no help for him in God.” Selah 

3 But You, O Lord, are a shield [a]for me, 
My glory and the One who lifts up my head. 
4 I cried to the Lord with my voice, 
And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah 

5 I lay down and slept; 
I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. 
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people 
Who have set themselves against me all around.

7 Arise, O Lord; 
Save me, O my God! 
For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; 
You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. 
8 Salvation belongs to the Lord. 
Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah 

Notice the progression that takes place inside David. His strength and courage are building as He reflects on Who God is and what He has done for Him. 

This season is and should be a selah moment in life.  

It’s right to pause and give honor to our experiences, to reflect on how they impacted us and how they might have changed us. This is a time to seek to hear God’s voice, to find out what He thinks about it, a time to check ourselves for defense mechanisms or unhealthy habits but also take note of healthy habits and growth. You’ve been so busy for a couple decades!  

I found in this time some simple instructions, adjustments, and corrections but I also found that God was actually really proud of me and I could be proud of me. I found in this time that my girls were really good and I could be proud of them. I found in this time, all of a sudden without the distractions all my roles had required, I got to be with Jesus again just me and Him like it was before I got married. My hunger for my relationship with Him grew and now I had all of these life experiences and when I read His word, the wisdom was so much deeper. It began to give me such inspiration and excitement about the Word of God and His faithfulness. It made me want to reengage in life in a deeper more meaningful way! 

Psalm 126:1 When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream.  

In so many ways, I personally had been held captive. For some of us we are held captive by a poor self esteem, or an addiction. Or maybe you haven’t felt like you were in captivity, but just a little road worn from the trip. Everyone deserves a fresh dream or renewed hope in a dream.  

KE Learning Center is my newest dream. Going on a road trip in France with my kids is a new dream. Making the relationships in my life as deep and purposeful as possible is my dream. 

I urge you, I compel you to carve out a time for you as an individual and for your spouse as an individual and then a coming together as a couple for Selah. I think it can be done quietly each morning or done by literally taking time to go to a cabin and quietly reflect. Selah moments in life are necessary and while it may at first seem selfish it ends up benefitting everyone around you.  

For Example – my friend Lee Ann and I go away every January for Selah. We reflect on the year and set our faces toward the new year. It’s a very purposeful time of prayer and reflection. We spend the mornings alone in prayer and reflection and come together in the afternoon for a time of intercession and discussion. God has been faithful to equip us with powerful words we will need for each new year and graciously helped us process the previous events.

Also in this selah season of life, I didn’t attempt to fill the voids with more responsibilities and hobbies and busy activity. I leaned into it and sat in the quiet and asked God questions and waited for the answers even when it sometimes took weeks. In the process, I left the captivity behind and I began to dream.  

Psalm 126 goes on to say in v 2  Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with singing.  

Proverbs 31:25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.  

The strength this Proverbs 31 woman gained came from all she had endured and walked through, all the “exercising” she had been doing. That is afterall how you get strength.  

The dignity comes from finally liking yourself. If you don’t, guess what, you’re strong enough to change now. Just become the person you want to be. Why waste any more time?  

And laughing comes from confidence, the confidence of knowing that your King is with you. I don’t know about you but I have nothing to worry about when the King is in the room. He takes care of everything.  

Takeaways:  

• 1. Find your place of dignity and laughter, unafraid of the future.  
  
• 2. Being like men who dream came after being led by God out of a season. Let God lead you to the place of dreaming again.  
  
• 3. Selah is written into the Psalm on purpose. Write Selah into your life.  
  

Seasons and Chapters

Gtcotr/ss110925 

Time, as we calculate it, may only exist in our minds. 

Perhaps time is but a container into which we place memories.  

We experience time as the distance between memories. I’ve yet to come up with a calculation that explains why some memories seem like yesterday and others, even though they’re closer, feel so far away.  

Memories can make us smile and they also have the power to haunt us. Some are loud while others only whisper softly. 

Maybe our greatest challenge is to make more memories so we can crowd the box and fill the days we have left with recollections of pleasant things. 

We have lived our lives making memories and we will spend the rest of our lives continuing filling that box with one memory after another. Our hope, especially as we get older, is to create more pleasant memories of how we spend the time we have left. 

Today we are going to go to the Word of God and explore some truths about the seasons and chapters of life. We all go and grow through seasons of life from childhood to old age. Although we may not be able to alter the season we are in, we have been given the power and the freedom to begin writing new chapters at any moment we desire. 

You have been blessed with a great advantage … you can be the person you want to be … it is within your grasps. You can close the current chapter of your life by simply putting a period right where you stand, right now. Each person has the ability to write their next chapter and make themselves out to be the hero, the villain, or the victim. Regardless of the season or the circumstance, there is always a step you can take towards God and always something you can do to please Him. 

First impressions are important but last impressions last. You will write your epitaph not by what you did but by what you do about what you did.

If anyone is looking for a way to win with God and man, they need never look beyond the next person they see. Everyone needs Jesus; everyone needs encouraging; everyone needs someone to listen; everyone needs someone to care. Perhaps your next chapter could begin with a simple apology or with a small gift. Or maybe the next chapter of your life demands a complete reversal of what you believe and the way you have acted or reacted in life.  

This morning we are going to take a brief look at a Bible character who was in a bad season of life and see what decisions they made and how they began writing the new chapter of their life. 

We cannot and should not try to re-write history … but … we can begin to write a better ending to our story.

The first person we are going to survey is a Canaanite woman who lived in the town of Jericho back in the days of Joshua. She was a well-known, and evidently fairly prosperous businesswoman. Her name is Rahab, and she was a prostitute.  

Joshua 2:1  Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there. 

• · I find it interesting that after 40 years in the wilderness, the first place the two men whom Joshua sent to spy out the Promise Land was a house of ill repute. And the first person they trusted was a prostitute. 
  
• · The two spies made a promise to Rahab. In exchange for her help, she and her family would be spared when the Children of Israel captured and destroyed the city. 
  
• · She agreed and hid the two men from the Canaanite soldiers. 
  

Joshua 6:17  “Now the city shall be doomed by the LORD to destruction, it and all who are in it. Only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.”  

Joshua 6:25  And Joshua spared Rahab the harlot, her father’s household, and all that she had. So she dwells in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

James 2:25  Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?   

Every time Rahab is mentioned in these verses, we are reminded she was a harlot. That’s how she is known today. She was a harlot and now she’s not. God is not hiding or attempting to rewrite history. He is faithful above and bigger than your past. God also tells us over and over that Rahab hid the messengers. Why did Rahab hide the messengers? Because Rahab believed it was time for her to change. We decide when it is time for us to change. She did this by faith. Rahab took a step of faith. 

Faith doesn’t make things easy … Faith makes things possible. 

Hebrews 11:31  By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. 

With that one decision, Rahab closed the current chapter of her life with a simple period and began writing a new story about herself. The power of a decision is seen in Rahab’s life. She had faith that she could change who she was, and she did.  

Rahab did not make excuses or try to re-write history … she had been a harlot and she was stuck with those memories. However, she started stacking her memory box with better memories. She wrote herself into a new story line. She married Salmon, a prince in Judah. She had a son named Boaz who had a son named Obed who had a son named Jesse who had a son named David who became King of all Israel.  

You know what are Rahab’s greatest memories now? She is the great grandmother of the Messiah, Jesus the Christ, Savior of the world! All because of one decision. She couldn’t change her past but she sure could make a better future. It took faith and works! Just like it does with us. 

You cannot change your season of life.  

• · If you are young … you are young. 
  
• · If you are old … you are old. 
  
• · If you are single … you are single. 
  
• · If you are the parents of young children … 
  
• · If you are in a season of having to work overtime … 
  
• · If you are a widow or a widower …  
  

You cannot change the season of life … it will change when it is time. But you can decide to be the best you for Jesus in every season. And, if needed, at any time - you can put a period right here, right now, and close this chapter.  

Beginning a new chapter starts with one decision. Here are three things I encourage every person to do today: 

• 1. Ask God to forgive you of every past or current thought, word, and deed that is contrary to His will and purpose for your life. 
  
• 2. Make a commitment before God to think and pray before you say and do. 
  
• 3. Act like the person God needs you to be. 
  

Repeat these steps if needed, as needed, as often as needed. 

We don’t have unlimited time, if we have time at all. So – you had better get started writing the new you today.

The Book of Colossians Part 4 — Guarded in Christ

SERIES REVIEW              

Part 1 — Rooted in the Gospel 

• • The roots of our faith as believers are only strong when they are founded in Christ. 
  
• • Rooted in the Gospel — The same message that saves us is the one that continues to sustain and grow us daily. 
  
• • Rooted in the Word — God’s Word anchors us in truth, fills us with wisdom, and keeps us from drifting. 
  
• • Rooted in Relationship — A close walk with God gives us strength, patience, and joy through His power, not our own. 
  
• • Ultimately, your roots determine your fruit—so make sure your life is planted firmly in Christ. 
  

Part 2 — Supremacy of Christ 

• • Lord over all creation —Everything in heaven and on earth was created by Him, through Him, and for Him. He holds all things together and rules over all that exists. 
  
• • Lord of the church — As the head of the body, Jesus leads, directs, and sustains His people. The Church must take its direction from Him alone. 
  
• • Lord over redemption — Through His death and resurrection, Jesus reconciled us to God. The fullness of God dwells in Him, and peace was made through His cross. 
  
• • Lord of over your life — He made you, saved you, and sustains you. Therefore, He deserves full authority over every area of your life—don’t let culture redefine who He is. 
  

Part 3 — Christ in You: The Hope of Glory 

• • Jesus lives in you — The same power that raised Him from the dead is alive inside of you right now. 

• • You’re never alone — Wherever you go, God goes with you. His presence doesn’t leave when life gets hard. 
  
• • He changes you from the inside out — Real transformation happens when you let Jesus work in your heart, not just when you try harder. 
  
• • There’s always hope — No matter what’s going on, Christ in you is the guarantee that your story isn’t over and the best is still ahead. 
  
• • Let Him shine through you — The way you love, forgive, and treat people should show the world that Jesus is alive in you. 
  

PART 4:  GUARDED IN CHRIST           

Introduction 

If someone handed you a fake $100 bill today, would you know it? Most of us wouldn’t. That’s because some counterfeits are very convincing. It looks like the real thing, feels like the real thing, and it almost is the real thing. However, how many of you know that “almost right” is still false. 

This is something that experts in the secret service understand when looking for counterfeit money. They are the best at spotting fake money. How? They don’t waste their time studying every fake. Instead, they study the real thing. They learn the genuine bill so well — every detail, every watermark, every line, the feel of the paper, the raised ink, everything — so that when a fake shows up, they can tell when something feels off. They may not spot the problem right away, but they know its not right. Why? Because they know what is true. 

It’s the same with our faith. The more we know the real Jesus, the more we know the real gospel, the easier it is to recognize the fake versions the world tries to sell. 

That is what Paul is doing in Colossians chapter 2. After reminding his readers that they are rooted in Christ and that He resides on the inside of them (the great mystery revealed), he warns the church to guard that truth. Why? Because false teaching and empty religion were creeping in. Paul saw it coming and he was encouraging them to be aware. 

Paul’s message to them was true then, and it is still true today. 

“Don’t be pulled away from the reality you already have in Christ.” 

As believers, we must stand firm against the three things Paul lists out here in chapter two: deceptive philosophies, empty religion, and man-made rules. It is only through Christ that we find the truth. 

• 1. Guard Against Deceptive Philosophy (vv. 8–10)
  
  Colossians 2:8 — “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”
  
  Paul warns that false teachers were using persuasive words and clever ideas that sounded good to pull believers away from the simplicity of the gospel. They mixed truth with error, human wisdom with the Word of God — and it sounded spiritual, but it was hollow. Paul was warning them to unsubscribe from these ideas, as they would lead them away from God. 
  
  “Takes you captive” = To kidnap; to carry off as spoil
  
  When we allow ourselves to listen and be seduced by good sounding deception, we will be “carried off as spoil” without us realizing it. 
  
  So what are some deceptive philosophies today? 
  
  
• • “Follow your heart” — Culture says the answer is inside of you.
  
• • Scripture says the heart is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9)
  
• • The answer is found in Christ 
  
  
• • “Find your truth” — Culture says that truth is relative
  
• • Jesus said “I am the Truth.”
  
• • Truth is not fluid. Truth is found in the person of Jesus Christ.  

• • “Good people go to heaven” — Culture says being good is enough
  
• • The Bible says that no one is good
  
• • The only way to eternal life is to be born-again through Christ 
  
  
• • Ask yourself:
  
• • What voices am I letting shape my beliefs — Culture or scripture? 
  
• • Do I measure truth by what Christ said or what feels right? 
  
  
  
• 2. Guard Against Religion (vv. 16–19) 
  
  Colossians 2:16-17 — “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”
  
  Paul also warns them against false teachers who were religious rule keepers. Now there is nothing wrong with rules. But there is a problem when it is what we are relying on to save us! That is what these false teachers were doing. Going to church, reading our Bibles, going on missions, praying, these are all “good works” that we are called to do as believers. However, these good works don’t save us. Instead, because we are saved, we do these good works. (Water baptism) 
  
  
• • “I have to earn God’s love” — Performance driven Christianity
  
• • “If I do enough, then He will love me.”
  
• • This is opposite of the gospel (it’s about His love for us not)
  
• • It leaves you on a roller coaster of pride and shame.
  
• • Truth = God’s love for you never changes (Romans 8:38-39) 
  
  
• • “If I mess up then God won’t bless me” — Fear driven Christianity
  
• • This keeps us in constant anxiety about losing favor with God.
  
• • We find ourself obeying out of fear instead of our love for God.
  
• • This thinking makes you act like an employee rather than a child. 

• • You have been saved by grace — Ephesians 2:8-9 
  
  
• • While religion says to do more, Jesus says, “it is finished.”
  
• • Let us be careful not to pray, read our bibles, go to church just to prove something. 
  
• • Instead, let us do so in order to draw closer to God. 
  
  
• 3. Guard Against Empty Practices 
  
  Colossians 2:20-23 — “20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.”
  
  What are empty practices? Paul here is referring to man-made rules that have no spiritual merit for the believer. However, I believe Paul is getting at deeper concern, and that is spiritual emptiness. That is, people doing religious things without the life and power of Jesus behind them. It is practicing spiritual disciplines but lacking the heart behind it. It is just doing it and going through the motions. We may be doing these things on the outside, but become hollow on the inside.  
  
  Key verse — “23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining the flesh…”
  
  Doing so causes our faith to become “old and cold.” We are just going things because we have always done them. We lose the connection to the reason we are doing these “good works” in the first place. Jesus says to “abide” in Him, because without Him we can do nothing. Without our connection to Christ, we lose His transformative power operating in our life.  

• 
  2 Timothy 3:5 — “Having a form of godliness but denying its power…”
  
  The fact is that, Religious Activity - Spiritual Reality = Powerless Christianity.
  

TAKEAWAYS 

How can we stay guarded in Christ? 

• I. Stay in the Word — know the real thing so counterfeits stand out. 
  
  
• II. Stay in Community — isolation makes deception easier. 
  
  
• III. Stay Alert — Realize the devil is prowling looking to devour 
  
  
• IV. Stay Connected to Jesus