Introduction

• Colossians 1:18-23

• "Few would deny the importance of Jesus.  They would simply dethrone Him.  They would give Him prominence but not preeminence."  - Warren Wiersbe

• Acts 5:41–42

• 2 Peter 3:18

  
  

Why Should Jesus Be First in our Lives?

1. He Reveals God to Us v.15a

2. He is Creator over All  v.15b-17

3. He is the Head of the Church v.18-19

   1. Colossians 1:18–19

   2. Ephesians 1:20–23

   3. John 14:16–17

   4. Acts 1:5

   5. Ephesians 1:13

   6. Matthew 16:16–18a

   7. Ephesians 4:4–6

   8. John 10:11

   9. Colossians 1:18–19

   10. Colossians 2:9–10

   11. Colossians 1:18–19

4. He is the Lord Period. v.20-23

   1. Colossians 1:20–23

   2. Ephesians 2:12

   3. Colossians 1:20–23

   4. 1 John 4:2

   5. Hebrews 2:17

   6. Colossians 1:20–23

   7. 1 John 2:1

   8. Colossians 1:20–23

Application:

1. Trust Him (He Reveals God to us, He is Creator, He is Head of church, He is Lord)

   1. Matthew 4:19

   2. Luke 14:27

2. Follow Him (What He says and does) 

   1. Galatians 5:19–21

   2. "Few would deny the importance of Jesus.  They would simply dethrone Him.  They would give Him prominence but not preeminence." - Warren Wiersbe

Colossians 1:15-17

Introduction

• Matthew 16:13–17

• 2 Peter 3:18

• Philippians 2:10–11

• Colossians 1:18

  
  

Why Should Jesus Be First in our Lives?

1. He Reveals God to Us v.15a

   1. Colossians 1:15

   2. 1 Kings 8:27

   3. Hebrews 11:27

   4. Colossians 1:15

   5. Hebrews 1:3

   6. John 14:9

   7. John 1:18

2. He is Creator over All  v.15b-17

   1. Colossians 1:15

   2. John 1:3

   3. Psalm 89:27

   4. Colossians 1:16

   5. Colossians 1:17

      
      

Application:

Trust Him (He is God,  He Creator of all things) 

• Proverbs 3:5–6

• Romans 8:29

• Colossians 1:14

• Malachi 1:6

Prayer Request

Colossians 1:9–14

What Does Paul's Prayer Show us about how to Pray?

1. Paul's Prayer was Educated v.9a

   1. Colossians 1:9

   2. Colossians 1:4

   3. Colossians 4:2

2. Paul's Prayer was w/out Ceasing v. 9b

   1. Colossians 1:9

   2. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–17

3. Paul's Prayer was Bold v. 9c-11

   1. Colossians 1:9–11

   2. Galatians 5:22–23

   3. 2 Peter 3:18

   4. Philippians 3:10

   5. Colossians 1:12

4. Paul's Prayer was to God v.12-14

   1. Colossians 1:12–14

   2. Hebrews 4:16

   3. Matthew 3:17
      

Application:

1. Our Prayers need to be Educated

2. Our Prayers need to be Continuous

3. Our Prayers need to be Bold

4. Our Prayer Life Knows who we are talking to

Introduction

Colossians answers questions related to...

• Science and Technology 

• Unity in the Church

• Authority 

• Purpose of Life

• Relationships in our lives 

• End Times

Gnosticism:  (gnosis)

Emphasizes a secret knowledge of God and salvation. Emphasize an inferior god of creation to the superior god of redemption (material created is evil,  only spiritual world is good).

1. Greetings

• Colossians 1:1-2

2. Thanksgiving

• Source of gratitude

  • Colossians 1:3

  • Colossians 1:7-8

• Content of gratitude

  • Colossians 1:4-6

  • Hebrews 11:6

  • Colossians 1:4-6

  • John 15:12

  • 1 John 3:14

  • Colossians 1:6

    
    

Application: 

• Express Gratitude for God's People 

• Live in such a way that people hear about your faith. 

Introduction

Review of last week: We are Dedicated to...

• The Gospel

• The Word of God

• Evangelism/Missions

Matthew 28:19-20

1. Jesus on Discipleship

• Deny yourself - Luke 9:23

• Take up your cross - Luke 9:23

• Follow Me (Jesus) - Luke 9:23

• Continue/Remain/Obey My Word - John 8:31

• Love Me (Jesus) above anything - Luke 14:26

• Make more disciples - Matthew 28:19-20

2. Paul on Discipleship

• Follow the pattern of Christ and those before you. - 2 Timothy 1:13-14

• Invest/deposit what you have learned in others. - 2 Timothy 2:2

3. A Disciple of Jesus is...

• Following

  • Hebrew - halak = to walk in the way of someone.  Halak is the OT backbone of discipleship. To follow YHWH was to pattern your whole life after His character

    • Deuteronomy 13:4

  • Greek - opisō - behind, in the footsteps of. Following is positional, habitual, and visible.

    • Matthew 4:19

    • Matthew 16:24

• Training

  • Greek - gymnazo = from which we get "gymnasium". Paul's word choice is deliberately athletic. Training implies discipline, repetition, coaching, and failure along the way. This is not passive — it is the sanctifying work of the Spirit meeting human effort

    • 1 Timothy 4:7-8

    • 2 Timothy 3:16-17

    • 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

• Investing

  • Greek - parathou = a banking/stewardship term. It involves transferring assets to someone else for safe keeping.

    • 2 Timothy 2:2

    • Matthew 28:19-20

      
      

Application

If Jesus came this afternoon to give you a personal review of how you are following, training, and investing what would He say?

Discipleship Pathway Opportunities Available at HPC!

• Exploring

• Following

• Training

• Investing

Introduction

• 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

  
  

1. To the Gospel

• 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

• Job 25:4

• Genesis 3:15

• 2 Corinthians 5:21

• 1 Peter 2:24

• Romans 3:23

• 2 Peter 1:3-9

2. To the Word

• 2 Timothy 3:15-17

• Hebrews 4:12-13

3. Evangelism/Missions

• Acts 1:8

• Romans 10:14-15

• 2 Corinthians 6:1-2

• Hebrews 9:22

• 1 Corinthians 11:26

Moving Day

Exodus 40:34-38

Introduction - Where We've Been...

• Holiday Inn Meeting Room

• Willow Brooke Elementary

• Adventureland Inn

• Grandview Elementary

• Under a Tent!

Numbers 9:20-23

What God Teaches Us Through Change.

1. Change tests our faith and reliance on Him.

• Psalm 26:2

• Hebrews 11:17-19

• James 1:3

• 1 Peter 1:6-7

• 2 Corinthians 4:17

• Exodus 40:35

• John 1:14

2. Change prepares our testimony to unbelievers.

• Joshua 2:11

• Psalm 106:25

• Deuteronomy 1:27

• Romans 1:21

• Hebrews 13:8

• Matthew 4:17

• Acts 3:19-20

  
  

Application

Are you ready for change?!

• 1 Corinthians 3:16

Introduction

• 2 Corinthians 6:1-2

• Joshua 4:1-24

  
  

How does God help us remember?

1. He used literal stones

• Joshua 4:3

• Joshua 4:5-9

• Joshua 4:20

• Matthew 14:24-33

2. He uses living stones

• Joshua 4:1-2

• Joshua 4:10-11

• Acts 9:2

• Acts 19:9

• Acts 11:26

• Joshua 5:1

• 1 Peter 2:4-5

• Joshua 4:6-7

• Joshua 4:20-22

• Proverbs 10:7

• John 14:26

• Luke 19:40

  
  

Application:

Do you have reminders around you of God's work in your life?

Are you a witness of those reminders and making new ones with those around you?

Hidden Truth

Mark 4:10-12

Introduction

• Mark 4:10-12

  
  

Jesus taught in parables to...

1. Fulfill Isaiah's Ministry

• Mark 4:11-12

• Matthew 13:14

• Deuteronomy 4:25-26

• Isaiah 6:8-10

• Deuteronomy 18:15

• Deuteronomy 18:18

• John 1:21

2. Expose and Confirm Hardened Hearts

• Mark 4:11-12

3. Bring forth judgment

• Hebrews 8

• John 1:14

• 1 Corinthians 6:19

  
  

Application

1.  We should be driven to worship.

2.  We should evangelize the lost.

Introduction

• Leviticus 19:3

• Exodus 20:12

• Ephesians 6:1-2

• Proverbs 1:8

  
  

What can we learn from the first Mom, Eve?

Trust the Lord for your salvation.

• Genesis 3:7

• Genesis 3:8-12

• Genesis 3:15

• John 3:17

• 1 Timothy 1:15

• Genesis 3:9

  
  

What can we learn from Mary, Jesus' earthly Mom?

Trust the Lord for His will in your life.

• Luke 1:28-30

• Luke 1:38

• Matthew 1:18-19

• Proverbs 31:28-30

  
  

Application

1.  Trust the Lord for your salvation

2.  Trust the Lord for His will in your life