Six:Eight

In art, when heart & mind commingle in the work, masterpieces are born. Paul says here our hearts & minds coming together in Christ produce a masterpiece of the Christian Life.

Continuing with the idea that we live what we ‘know’ to be true of Jesus, we explore further Paul’s wonderful image of Christ in this passage and how that should affect our lives!

Today we begin a short series in Colossians. In this introduction we glean that we live what we believe to be true of Jesus, and ask, are we growing deeper in Christ & having Him flow out to others?

This is our last sermon in this short series. We’ve looked at the Inner, Family & Work Life, and now we will look at the Called Life. In this sermon we will wrestle with the question, “Do you have a mission in life – or does a mission have you?” In a day when our sense of calling is often rooted in our need to feel special & unique, isn’t it odd that Jesus, in the Great Commission, seems to give every Christian who ever lived the very same calling?

Colossians 3 urges us in...’whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.’ How do we view our work lives in light of our calling as Christians. Do we work to live, or live to work? Do we recognize the influence we have through our work life? Do we understand our call to serve as if we are serving Jesus himself?

Everyone in a family has needs, dreams, and a unique calling which demand “sacred care” from those who will walk with them across a lifetime in their role as a family member. When we begin to see our family as our “First Church,” we can care for one another with the backing of heaven. They will only follow those who model Jesus well, how do we do that in our family lives?

We become our habits. Like someone suffering from heart disease, arteries don’t get clogged from eating one fatty meal. They build up in minute deposits over time from all the many choices we make throughout life. Our spiritual lives get clogged when we choose other things over & above intimacy & vitality with Jesus. There’s an individual & corporate call to care for our inner lives, to help our community become like Jesus! A call to commit ourselves to a daily rhythm of Morning Prayer, Scripture Reading, Frequent Prayer, Evening Prayer, and a Daily Examen which could change everything. New habits mean a new you, and new a you means a new community!

You are what you eat...fill your heart & mind with the thoughts of God, take on the mind of Christ & you will find peace, contentment & become a powerful witness for Jesus!

Today Paul gives us 5 healthy imperatives to deal with the pressures of conflict & culture, which if practiced well, these imperatives will guard our hearts & minds, and preserve the unity of the Church!

Run as if to win the prize for which you’ve been called heavenward in Christ! The race isn’t over until it’s over, what’s behind is behind, don’t look back - stay focused on Jesus!