In this fourth message, Paul shows his PASSION in two ways- -1- gladly and generously suffering physically for the Colossian believers -enduring afflictions for their sakes while receiving distressing troubles intended for Christ-- and -2- faithfully ministering with Scripture in his stewardship from God - revealing the O.T. mystery, that Christ -the Messiah- now dwells within believers. Thus, Paul's PURPOSE was to pursue sanctification in order to exhibit each believer as complete in Christ - this would include consistent exhortation and education. Paul's goal required that he be striving hard - physically exhausting himself with labor, while spiritually endeavoring through God's mighty power.

In this third message, Paul gets to his favorite topic - Jesus Christ. He begins with the POSITION of Jesus Christ, and gives us six descriptions- substitute, superior -pre-eminent over all creation-, self-existent, sustainer, supervisor and superior -pre-eminent over those who resurrect-. Then Paul expounds upon the POSSESSION of Christ - even though believers were formerly estranged from Christ, He made the great exchange, reconciling the lost with His own death - shedding His blood to redeem the lost, and establishing all believers in the hope of the gospel.

Paul's first priority, after opening his letter to the Colossians, was that of PRAYER. His only resource for help was found in God, to Whom he prayed here with one specific request - that the Colossian believers might be filled -controlled by- the knowledge of God's will. Once God's will fully pervaded their lives, Paul expected them to PRACTICE Christlikeness - they were to walk -conduct themselves- accordingly. He desired that they were always pleasing to God, and he described how that lifestyle would appear in four ways- -1- reproducing - bearing fruit internally and externally- -2- growing - increasing in the practical knowledge of God- -3- succeeding - continually being strengthened -empowered- with God's ability- and -4- appreciating - joyously giving thanks to the Father. It was all based upon God's PROVISION because He had rescued them from the tyranny of darkness and removed them into the kingdom of His beloved Son. The reign of Christ would forever be over those who had been redeemed -ransomed and pardoned-.

As we begin a new series on the book of Colossians, our study opens with a FOCUS on the writers -Paul the apostle and Timothy his associate-, the readers -the believers at Colossae as well as their background- and their specific request to God for the church -help through grace and harmony through peace-. These writers then presented some FACTS about their behavior- they prayed with thanksgiving- they were prompted to pray because of the faith, love and hope of the Colossians- and they were promoted as great examples to Paul and Timothy by Epaphras

This third and final message in our series on Satan exposes the work that he will do through his demonic messengers. In later times Satan will be provided a season -opportunity- when professed believers will reveal their true colors, and he will take advantage of their DEFECTION. They never had eternal life, and they will choose to separate themselves from their hollow faith, allowing total seduction. Their lack of real convictions and genuine trust in Christ will become obvious. Satan will then use DECEPTION to both mislead and misinform these lost souls, and they will give heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons. Some of their major DISTORTIONS will include restraining from God's design for marriage, as well as God's approval of meals. The Creator desired for them to give reception to His gifts and to gratefully share in them - He gave two reasons for this- marriage and food meet God's approval, and nothing that He has made is to be rejected as taboo, but readily accepted as a consecrated gift.

This second message in our series on Satan describes our responsibilities as we encounter spiritual warfare. All believers need to show VIGILANCE when it comes to our adversary, the devil. Peter gives us three commands- -1- stay awake - having a sober spirit that is clear-headed and undistracted- -2-, be on the alert - because we have a vicious opponent who is always seeking an opportunity to attack us successfully. All believers must also have VITALITY when attacked. Peter's final command requires that we- -3- resist the devil - being firm in our faith by standing our ground and staying at our post. To do so we must have the facts - knowing that Christians are undergoing a common suffering and need to faithfully endure. Finally, Peter reminds us that God provides the VICTORY for His children- His invitation leads to eternal glory, His intention will result in all believers being successful against the devil, and His influence guarantees this result.

This would be something that someone looking at the message information would want to know about the message. This first message in our series on Satan is aimed at how he attacks believers in order to deceive them into not doing God's will. His various TRICKS are used to mislead believers into doubt, distortion and deception -just like in the garden of Eden- and the method he consistently uses is craftiness -trickery-. He lays TRAPS in order to seduce believers, and offers substitutes to draw them away from the simplicity of following Christ. Finally, he offers TRADE-OFFS through false messages that include another Savior, a different spirit and a different way of salvation. The Corinthian believers were resisting Paul, but tolerating these false ministers - a real travesty.

n this fifteenth and final message from the book of Esther we find King Ahasuerus, powerful and successful, exerting PRESSURE on his kingdom - he laid a tribute on both the countryside as well as the coastlands. Then both the king and Mordecai are shown PROMINENCE as their accomplishments and greatness are recognized and recorded in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia. Lastly, the PROMOTION of Mordecai the Jew, in the Medo-Persian empire, is described- his rank was second only to King Ahasuerus- his race had been preserved -by God- and now he was a powerful and popular leader among the Jews- and his rule is one of great prosperity and lasting peace.

In this fourteenth message from Esther we find the origin of the days of Purim. These two days of celebration were to be remembered annually and permanently as the time that they had been delivered from extinction. Mordecai expressed the PURPOSE of this festival as he obligates all Jews to celebrate these two days in the month of Adar -Feb-Mar-, and the Jews obediently accepted this obligation. PURIM was named after Pur -a lot-stone - like we use dice- because Haman had determined the right time to exterminate the Jews by casting lots. The first letter -from the king- ordained the festival, and the Jews obeyed. In PURSUIT of full cooperation, a second letter -from Queen Esther with Mordecai- ordered these customs. Words of peace -prosperity- and truth -security- were sent. The Jews and their descendants would observe a celebration of their deliverance yearly.