Faith Church Sermons (Lafayette, IN)

Numbers 20 Watch Video Download Handout Download Manuscript Listen to MP3 → Click to view the Sermon Outline Luke 24:27 - …beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. 2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Philippians 1:6 - For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 3 principles to help us handle our anger well I. We Often Face the Temptation to Use Our Anger in Sinful Ways 1 Corinthians 10:11 - Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. A. In Moses’ case 1. What was happening historically 2. What was happening sociologically v. 2 – …they assembled themselves against Moses and Aaron… v. 3 – …they contended with Moses… v. 3 – …if only we had perished when our brothers perished before the Lord… Numbers 16:31-33 - As he finished speaking all these words, the ground that was under them split open; and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, and their households, and all the men who belonged to Korah with their possessions. So they and all that belonged to them went down alive to Sheol; and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly. 3. What was happening theologically James 1:13 - Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. a. To exercise our faith in God even when it’s hard Numbers 20:12 - But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you have not believed Me…” Psalm 119:66 - Teach me good discernment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments. b. To glorify His holiness even when our emotions our raging in opposite directions Numbers 20:12 - But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel…” 4. What was happening internally Numbers 20:6 - Then Moses and Aaron came in from the presence of the assembly to the doorway of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. Then the glory of the Lord appeared to them… v. 6 – …they fell on their faces… v. 9 – So Moses took the rod from before the Lord, just as He had commanded him… B. For you and me James 1:19-20 - This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. II. God Gives Clear Instructions about How to Handle Our Anger A. For Moses Numbers 20:8 - Take the rod; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it may yield its water. You shall thus bring forth water for them out of the rock and let the congregation and their beasts drink. B. For you and me 1. Understand what anger is Ephesians 4:26-27 - Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. 2. Avoid the two sinful extremes a. Clamming up Ephesians 4:31 - Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. b. Blowing up Numbers 20:10-11 - …and Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly before the rock. And he said to them, “Listen now, you rebels; shall we bring forth water for you out of this rock?” Then Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod… C. Illustrated perfectly in the life of Christ Hebrews 4:14-16 - Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a hi

Psalms 118 Watch Video Download Handout Download Manuscript Listen to MP3 → Click to view the Sermon Outline Psalm 118:24 - This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 - …in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Exodus 15:1-6 - Then Moses and the sons of Israel sang this song to the Lord, and said, “I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted; the horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea. The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him; my father’s God, and I will extol Him. The Lord is a warrior; The Lord is His name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea; and the choicest of his officers are drowned in the Red Sea. The deeps cover them; they went down into the depths like a stone. Your right hand, O Lord, is majestic in power, your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.” Ezra 3:10-11 - Now when the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord according to the directions of King David of Israel. They sang, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, saying, “For He is good, for His lovingkindness is upon Israel forever.” And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. Jeremiah 33:10-11 - Thus says the Lord, “Yet again there will be heard in this place, of which you say, ‘It is a waste, without man and without beast,’ that is, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man and without inhabitant and without beast, the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who say, ‘Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, For the Lord is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting;’ and of those who bring a thank offering into the house of the Lord. For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were at first,” says the Lord. 4 Reasons to Rejoice in the Lord’s goodness when you are distressed I. The Lord’s covenant love for you never stops (v1-4) Exodus 34:5-6 - The Lord descended in the cloud and stood there with him as he called upon the name of the Lord. Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth…” II. The Lord is a trustworthy refuge where you can find help (v5-13) Exodus 2:23-24 - Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died. And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God. So God heard their groaning; and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Hebrews 13:6 - …so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” Matthew 10:28 - Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 1 Samuel 17:45-47 - Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the Lord will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord’s an

Psalms 110 Watch Video Listen to MP3 Download Handout Download Manuscript → Click to view the Sermon Outline Davidic Pattern #1: The path toward kingship was marked by suffering. The humble servant had to suffer first before he was exalted as king. Davidic Pattern #2: When exalted as king, God brought remaining factions and enemies into subjection to God’s chosen king (cf 2 Samuel 5:9-12). Jesus Christ, Pattern #3: God’s chosen King suffered, was delivered from the grave and then was exalted “carried up into heaven” (Luke 24:44-50). Psalm 110 - The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” The Lord will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.” Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; in holy array, from the womb of the dawn, Your youth are to You as the dew. The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” The Lord is at Your right hand; He will shatter kings in the day of His wrath. He will judge among the nations, He will fill them with corpses, He will shatter the chief men over a broad country. He will drink from the brook by the wayside; therefore He will lift up His head. Five realities about Jesus Christ that we must all come face to face with sooner or later 1. God Has Made Christ Alone King of Creation—“Sit at My Right Hand” (v. 1) a. “At God’s right hand”—Matthew 22:44, Mark 16:19, Acts 2:33, 7:55-56, Romans 8:34, Ephesians 1:20, Colossians 3:1, Hebrews 1:3, 8:1, 12:2-3, 1 Peter 3:22, Revelation 3:21 b. “The Right Hand of God” is the place of eternal rulership The ascension of Christ is as significant to the Lordship of Christ as His death and resurrection is to His role as Savior. He is both Lord/King and Savior! c. But how could any man share God’s ruling throne? Jesus Christ was not simply “any man”—“The Lord said to my Lord” (cf. Matthew 22:41-45) 2. God Has Promised Christ Alone a Kingdom (v. 2) 3. God Has Promised Christ Alone a People/Army for His Kingdom (v. 3) a. Willing volunteers b. Dressed in righteousness (holy majesty/womb of dawn, cf. Revelation 19:11-16) 4. God Has Made Christ Alone the Only Way to Be Part of His Kingdom—Christ Is Not Only a King but a Priest! (v. 4, cf. Genesis 14, Hebrews 5-9) 5. God Will Destroy Opposition to Christ Alone (vv. 5-6)  Outlined Manuscript Have you ever experienced something that you never thought you would experience in your life?  Maybe it was a sudden sorrowful thing that happened to you or someone near to you.  Maybe it was something that you waited for your whole life to happen and you just were not sure if it would ever happen (I imagine there are some parents of soon to be graduates that may be feeling that way about now).  Maybe it was something that you spent plenty of time dreaming about in your life. Wednesday night November 2, I finished up a night of youth group in the LOFT and immediately ran out to my Jeep.  I turned on the ignition and before the engine had even finished cranking over I had the radio tuned into the Cubs versus the Indians playing in Game 7 of the World Series. As I turned on to State Road 26 to begin my journey home I listened as Dexter Fowler led off the game with a home run to deep right center field. Maybe tonight would be the night that I had played out countless times in my backyard as kid in Northern Illinois.  Maybe tonight the Cubs would be the world champions. It had been 108 years since the last time the Cubs had won the World Series.  For years they had been mocked as the “loveable losers”, but tonight could be a different night. Well that game did not go exactly the way that was the least amount of stress, but early on that Thur

Psalms 69 Watch Video Download Handout Download Manuscript Listen to MP3 → Click to view the Sermon Outline 1 Peter 4:15-16 - Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. 5 truths to apply when you suffer for doing what is right I. Explain your Hardships to the Lord (Psalm 69:1-4) A. “I feel like I am drowning” (v. 2) B. “I am in a regular state of grief” (v. 3) C. “Everywhere I turn there is more hurt” (v. 4) John 15:20, 24-25 - Remember the word that I said to you, “A slave is not greater than his master.” If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’” II. Remain Passionate for God’s Glory (vv. 5-12) A. Despite your personal sin (v. 5) B. Despite the poor treatment by others (vv. 6-8, 10-12) C. In order to follow the example of Christ (v. 9) John 2:17 - His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house will consume me.” Romans 15:3 - For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” III. Cry to the Lord for Rescue (vv. 13-21) A. Rather than complaining about it or just dwelling on it (vv. 13-19) B. Because the Lord has a compassionate character (v. 13, 16) Judges 10:16 - So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the Lord; and He could bear the misery of Israel no longer. C. Rather than finding other sources of comfort (vv. 20-21) “The offer of ‘sour wine’ is an act of mockery and insult. The soldiers join the mockery of Jesus by offering him the cheap wine that was popular among the lower ranks of society, insulting the ‘king’ whom they have crucified. The allusion, if intended, explains another detail of Jesus’ crucifixion against the background of another psalm that describes the treatment of a righteous sufferer by his enemies, highlighting both Jesus’ suffering in being mocked and the fulfilment of Scripture in what Jesus had to endure at the cross.” (Pao and Schnabel, “Luke,” in Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament. Eds. G. K. Beale and D.A. Carson. Baker: Grand Rapids, 2007, 397) IV. Remember that God will Bring about Justice at the Proper Time (vv. 22-28) A. However Jesus and Paul prayed for forgiveness rather than retribution B. For when justice comes, the opportunities are over (v. 28) Acts 1:20 - For it is written in the book of Psalms, “Let his homestead be made desolate, and let no one dwell in it”; and, “Let another man take his office.” Romans 11:7-10 - What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; just as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes to see not and ears to hear not, down to this very day.” And David says, “Let their table become a snare and a trap, and a stumbling block and a retribution to them. Let their eyes be darkened to see not, and bend their backs forever.” V. Praise the Lord for His Deliverance (vv. 29-36) A. From individual sin (vv. 29-31) B. To share with others (vv. 32-36)  Outlined Manuscript Happy Mother’s Day. We realize that today is a very encouraging day for some and a challenging for others. It is our prayer that our time in the Word and in song today serves everyone. We want to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.

Psalms 40:1-17 Watch Video Listen to MP3 Download Handout Download Manuscript → Click to view the Sermon Outline Quote from C.S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms Pastor Brent Aucoin’s Summary: Humanity naturally praises and invites others to praise that which they value, delight, enjoy. The Messianic Psalms are OT songs written about the experiences of God’s anointed Davidic king (primarily King David) that God uses to point prophetically toward the Ultimate King—Jesus Christ. The experiences of the Davidic king in the OT are “heightened” or “escalated” or “contrasted” in the greater person and work of the final Davidic King—Christ. These Davidic experiences form theological patterns of which Christ brought to completion. – Pastor Brent Aucoin Psalm 40:1-17 - For the choir director. A Psalm of David. - King David’s Experience in Trusting in the Lord Alone 1 I waited patiently (or relied completely on) for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord. King David’s Conclusion about Trusting in the Lord Alone 4 How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust, and has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood. 5 Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done, and Your thoughts toward us; there is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, they would be too numerous to count. King David’s Response in Offering to God not Sacrifice but His Self 6 Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired; my ears You have opened; burnt offering and sin offering You have not required. 7 Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. 8 I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart.” King David’s Praise Shared 9 I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation; behold, I will not restrain my lips, O Lord, You know. 10 I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation. King David’s Continued Need for Deliverance From Sin and Sin-Caused Calamities with an Expectation of Another Great Deliverance for Trusting in the Lord Alone 11 You, O Lord, will not withhold Your compassion from me; Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me. 12 For evils beyond number have surrounded me; my iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see; they are more numerous than the hairs of my head, and my heart has failed me. 13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; make haste, O Lord, to help me. 14Let those be ashamed and humiliated together who seek my life to destroy it; let those be turned back and dishonored who delight in my hurt. 15 Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, “Aha, aha!” 16 Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let those who love Your salvation say continually, “The Lord be magnified!”          17 Since I am afflicted and needy, let the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God. Psalm 40 leads us to understand four truths that instill in His people the greatest delight in God and therefore the greatest Praise in God. 1. God’s Beautiful Plan for the His Earthly King and His People—Deliverance Creates Praise A. In distress trust in God Alone--I waited patiently on the Lord (cf. v. 4—“How blessed is the man who has made the LORD His trust and has not turned to the proud nor to those who lapse into falsehood;” Isaiah 40:31) B. Trusting in God al

Joshua 1:1-9 Watch Video Download Manuscript Download Handout Listen to MP3 → Click to view the Sermon Outline Genesis 6:14-18 - Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood…I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. Genesis 6:22 - Thus Noah did; according to all that God had commanded him, so he did. Hebrews 11:8-10 - By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 1 Samuel 17:45-47 - Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the Lord will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands.” Matthew 14:28-29 - Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. Deuteronomy 31:1-8 - So Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. And he said to them, “I am a hundred and twenty years old today; I am no longer able to come and go, and the Lord has said to me, ‘You shall not cross this Jordan.’ It is the Lord your God who will cross ahead of you; He will destroy these nations before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua is the one who will cross ahead of you, just as the Lord has spoken. The Lord will do to them just as He did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land, when He destroyed them. The Lord will deliver them up before you, and you shall do to them according to all the commandments which I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” Then Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance. The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” 3 elements of courage necessary to make a difference for God I. Courageous Enough to Acknowledge Sin A. For Joshua Deuteronomy 9:4-5 - Do not say in your heart when the Lord your God has driven them out before you, “Because of my righteousness the Lord has brought me in to possess this land,” but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is dispossessing them before you. It is not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart that you are going to possess their land, but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord your God is driving them out before you, in order to confirm the oath which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Joshua 7:6 - Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until the evening, both he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. Joshua 7:10-11 - So the Lord said to Joshua, “Rise up! Why is it that

Psalms 16 Watch Video Listen to MP3 Download Handout Download Manuscript → Click to view the Sermon Outline   Philippians 4:10-12 - But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. Opening Salvos 1. How do we know that Psalm 16 is speaking about Jesus? Acts 2:22-27 - Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. For David says of Him, ‘I saw the Lord always in my presence. Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted; Moreover my flesh also will live in hope; Because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. Acts 2:29-31 - Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay. Acts 13:32-35 - And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘You are My Son; today I have begotten You.’ As for the fact that He raised Him up from the dead, no longer to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ Therefore He also says in another Psalm, ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.’ 2. What is the setting of this Psalm? 3 stages where Jesus satisfies above all others “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” John Piper I. Contented and Confident in Christ While You’re Alive A. Because of a secure relationship – vv. 1-2 Psalm 16:1 - …I take refuge in You. Psalm 16:2 - I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.” Psalm 5:11 - But let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy; and may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may exult in You. Psalm 31:20 - You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues. Psalm 61:4 - Let me dwell in Your tent forever; let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Psalm 91:1 - He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Matthew 11:28-29 - Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. John 10:27-29 - My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. Luke 5:16 - But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. 1 Peter 2:23 - …and while being reviled, He did not revile in retur

Galatians 3:24-29 Watch Video Download Handout Download Manuscript Listen to MP3 → Click to view the Sermon Outline I. The Possibility of Being Clothed with Christ – vv. 24-27 Galatians 1:6 - I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel… Galatians 3:1 - You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?  Galatians 2:11-13 - But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.  Galatians 3:27 - have clothed yourself with Christ A. Because of what our tutor taught us Romans 3:23 - …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death… Galatians 3:22 - But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.  B. Because of what faith secures John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  1. A righteous stand Galatians 3:24 - Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.  Zechariah 3:1-5 - Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel. He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” Again he said to him, “See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.” Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the Lord was standing by.  2. An amazing relationship Galatians 3:26 - For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  3. A powerful union Galatians 3:27 - For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  2 Corinthians 5:21 - He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.  Isaiah 53:6 - All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.  II. The Power of Being Clothed with Christ Galatians 3:28 - There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  A. Ethnic unity B. Economic unity James 2:1-6 - My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man.  C. Gender unity III. The Promise of Being Clothed with Christ Galatians 3:29 - And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.  2 Corinthians 1:20 - For as many

Colossians 4:7-18 Watch Video Download Handout Download Manuscript Listen to MP3 → Click to view the Sermon Outline 10 people that God used to accomplish his purposes I. Paul: The one with a shameful past and challenging present (4:18) Colossians 4:18 - I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you. Philippians 3:4-7 - …although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 - Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.    Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. II. Tychicus: The one with a servant’s heart (4:7-8) Colossians 4:7-8 - As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts… A. Beloved brother 2 Timothy 4:12 - But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus B. Faithful servant C. Fellow bond-servant in the Lord III. Onesimus: The one willing to do what is right (4:9) Colossians 4:9 - …and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here. Philemon 11-13 - …who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel… IV. Aristarchus: The one with a sympathetic heart (4:10a) Colossians 4:10a - Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings… V. Mark: The one who made a big mistake (4:10b) Colossians 4:10b - …and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him)… Acts 15:37-39 - Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work and there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. VI. Justus: The one who is committed when few others are (4:11) Colossians 4:11 - …and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. VII. Epaphras: The one who was the focused shepherd (4:12-13) Colossians 4:12-13 - Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you

Colossians 4:2-6 Watch Video Download Handout Download Manuscript Listen to MP3 → Click to view the Sermon Outline 1 John 1:3-4 - …what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete. 1 Peter 5:7 - …casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Psalm 119:57-64 - The Lord is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words. I sought Your favor with all my heart; Be gracious to me according to Your word. I considered my ways and turned my feet to Your testimonies. I hastened and did not delay to keep Your commandments. The cords of the wicked have encircled me, but I have not forgotten Your law. At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You because of Your righteous ordinances. I am a companion of all those who fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts. The earth is full of Your lovingkindness, O Lord; teach me Your statutes. 2 Timothy 1:12 - …for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. 2 Corinthians 3:18 - But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. Colossians 1:18 - He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. James 3:2, 5-6 - For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. 3 characteristics of communication that honors our Savior I. A Tongue that Prays Faithfully Philippians 2:12-13 - So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. A. Devoted proskartereo – kartereo – “to be steadfast, to endure” …with the preposition that intensifies it’s meaning – “to be courageously persistent, to hold fast and not let go.” B. Alert Colossians 4:2 - Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it… C. Thankful Colossians 4:2 - Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving… Colossians 3:17 - Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. D. Missional Colossians 4:3 - …praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word… II. A Tongue that Proclaims Clearly A. Looking for open doors Colossians 4:3 - …praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word… B. So we will speak forth the mystery Colossians 4:3 - …praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ… Colossians 1:26-27 - …the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. C. At whatever the cost Colossians 4:3 - …praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery o