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Message # 3 "The Credentials of the Christian"

Part # 1: "A Character Worth Possessing"

Text: Colossians 1: 23-29

Intro: The day we were saved, we were drafted into God's eternal

army. We were enlisted, enabled, equipped to stand on the

front lines. Charles Spurgeon: "The Lord gets His best

soldiers out of affliction and sorrow". Most of the saints

today are on spiritual welfare, when we should be involved

in spiritual warfare. The apostle Paul assumes the role of

commander and is actively involved in rallying the troops

on the firing line. This character worth possessing is de-

fined by:

 

I. THE MINISTRY OF THIS CHARACTER

you cannot be reconciled to God, until you are recruited by God.

God brought us out, brings us into the battlefield.

 

A) There must be consistency in the Work of God (vs 23)

the word "hope" is the key word of this verse. We were once

without hope and without God. Now we have God, we also have

hope. In other words, there is hope in the house. This work

consists of:

 

1) Service (vs23) "continue, grounded, settled, not moved"

these words mean "established, stedfast, keep on keeping on,

standing, striving, serving". It is also closely linked to the verse

"hunger and thrist after righteousness". It means to have a

"everyday desire to obey the Word of God".

 

2) Suffering (vs24) not a matter of "if", but "when" we will

suffer for the sake of our Lord. Today we are taking shortcuts

on the front lines. It may that our actions do not hurt us, but

scores are being wounded around us.

 

B) There must be confidence in the Will of God (vs 25)

the word "dispensation" means "stewardship" or "law of the

house". God has a perfect will and perfect design for every

child of God. If the work of God is accomplished, the it is be-

cause the will of God was achieved.

 

II. THE MYSTERY OF THIS CHARACTER

 

A) A mystery once concealed (vs 26)

that which was silent is now vocal (vocal cords of His word.)

This mystery was undiscoverable except by revelation. It was

not known until God made it known. It was previously con-

cealed to OT prophets, and made known in the fullness of

time.

 

B) A mystery now revealed (vs 26-27)

He who once chose to live above us (heaven), one day chose

to live with us and among us, now chooses to live in us.

This mystery was not a national possession of the Jews, but

belongs to the whole world ("whosoever will"

 

 

III. THE MESSAGE OF THIS CHARACTER

Paul reminds us of the ammunition we need on the battlefield.

Should never be on front lines empty handed and unprepared.

We should always be armed the weapon of the gospel.

 

A) The Message and it's Proclamation (vs 28)

there is a message to be preached. God never called me to

preach sermons, but to preach His message. The songbook

can never take the place of the Book. The gospel must be

preached. Teaching is for the saints, not the sinners. Sing-

is for the saints, not the sinner. Today we have spiritual

entertainment, when we need spiritual enlightenment.

 

B) The Message and it's application (vs 28)

the word "perfect" means "to come of age", "mature"

and to "grow up". We need some people to just grow up.

Some that are willing to pay the price, no matter what the

cost