The Cosmic Christ of Colossians Day 13!

Today we have some of the most loving and caring words in the New Testament, in my most humble opinion! Colossians 3:12-17 reads in this way:

As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Oh what marvelous words to memorize, to use before or after dinner, to put on your bathroom mirror, or just simply to follow! Paul is a theologian and also a poet! Wonderful words!

Listen in to the video:

Sing!  Just because you need to sing.  Sing a song.  Sing along - I think you already know the words and it'll warm your heart!

The Cosmic Christ of Colossians Day 12!

Today we are on Colossians 3:5-11 in which Paul talks about Christian identity. Because of what God has done for us in Christ, there are some things we should definitely do, which comes in verses 12-17 which we'll talk about in days 13 and 14.

But for now, Paul lists first things that we shouldn't do, and at the core it has to do with idolatry - looking out for ourselves rather than looking TO Jesus.

Read 3:5-11 before listening to the video and it'll make a whole lot more sense!

Here's a wonderful Hillsong song, I Am Who You Say I Am!  Don't let anyone tell you different!

The Cosmic Christ of Colossians Day 11!

Today we focus on Chapter 3:1-4:

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

After spending time in the first two chapters refuting the false Gnostic teaching, Paul now turns to the practical application of the doctrines he had been teaching. What, then, does this mean for daily living is now Paul's focus. And one of the points that he wants to get across is that the Colossians are not what they used to be!

Here's the video:

And it's normally kind of a Christmas song or cantata, but this fits with our theme today. It's Agnus Dei/King of Kings - beautifully done!

 The Cosmic Christ of Colossians Day 10!

We finish chapter 2 today with verses 16-23.  This time in particular Paul confronts traditions that can be good in themselves, but only as a path toward Jesus, and not a substitute or requirement to get to him.  He's pretty specific and kind of harsh as he uses the very words of the Gnostic teachers against them!

We don't have a posting for Saturday, so it gives you a chance to catch up.  And starting late Saturday night, log in to participate in worship for Sunday morning!  And think about sharing the worship link with a friend or on your Facebook page!  I think they'll thank you for it!

Here's the video:

And here's a song called Build My Life that we sing at church - building your life on Jesus, the sure foundation!

 The Cosmic Christ of Colossians Day 9!

Today we continue through chapter 2 verses 6-15.  I didn't take the time to read through those verses, so if you can read them before listening to the video, that would be great!

It's in these verses that Paul continues to encourage the Colossian believers to make spiritual progress toward what they know they should be doing so as not to be led astray.  He uses the analogy, or comparison, to a tree, a building, a school, and a river in verse 7 to show what kind of progress and maturity he's encouraging them to grow into.

And don't give in to the temptation to be led astray!  Temptations are all over - in the time of Paul, in our time, and in the sermon on Sunday, so be sure to tune in on Sunday, too!

Here's the video, so listen in!

And this is a great song that is very popular on Christian radio these days, called Way Maker.  Just let the words roll over you and enjoy!

The Cosmic Christ of Colossians Day 8!

Today let's think of the marks of Christian maturity - that's Paul's mission statement for what he wants for them - to present everyone mature in Christ.

Think of that for a moment - what would your "marks of Christian maturity" be? Paul does go on to say that encouragement, enrichment, and enlightenment are marks of maturity in Christ - the same kind of marks that the false teachers were peddling!

I'm finding that Paul's letter to the Colossians is so contextual to what was happening at Colossians, and yet it's so very relevant for us today!

So - listen in!

And here's a song we know well at Zion - Wonderful, Merciful Savior! Enjoy!

 

 The Cosmic Christ of Colossians Day 7!

Today we end chapter 1 with Paul starting to talk about the "mystery."  His ministry was to the Gentiles after centuries of God working in and through the people of Israel.  The "mystery" was that God's plan all along was to include the Gentiles in the plan of salvation!  Yet Paul uses words like mystery, hidden, mature, and glory to recapture them from what the Gnostic teachers were teaching on Colossae!  He uses their language but turns around the focus to say that Jesus is the hidden mystery that will bring you to maturity, not the "secret knowledge" that the false teachers claimed to have.

So, listen in to the video!

And here's a wonderful song that I think you'll love called Confidence - it has the words, so try to sing along!