“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” -Psalm 16:11
“Most people, if they have really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that they do want, and want acutely, something that cannot be had in this world. There are all sorts of things in this world that offer to give it to you, but they never quite keep their promise.” -C.S. Lewis
Sunday School | 2 Peter 1:12-21 | Bro. Steve Dawson
“Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have…And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts…” -2 Peter 1:12, 19
–Peter’s message is urgent because he knows he’s dying soon. He wants believers to remember the greatness of salvation and that God has given us all we need to sustain us. He wants us to have assurance, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection and love.
-He reminds us of this so we will ALWAYS remember. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
-vs. 16-21: They saw it all happen, but the Word is more sure.
-We have been entrusted with Truth. Defend it. Be like Jonathan Edwards and others who believed it was more important to pass on truth than keep worldly possessions, etc.
Morning Worship | Colossians 4:15-18 | Pastor Steve Wainright
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” -Proverbs 27:17
-koinonia=fellowship
–We are called to give ourselves to others. When you have selective hearing and tune out discord, you miss the beauty of the symphony. You experience more joy when you share others’ burdens.
-Paul’s heart was enlarged. (2 Corinthians 6:11) He had many friends in his heart. (Romans, Acts, Colossians 4, Galatians 2)
-In this text, he mentions 3 Jewish friends and 3 Gentile friends, which was taboo in that time, but the Gospel breaks all kinds of barriers. (Acts 16:4) The ground is level at the cross. (Ephesians 2:12-19)
-We have fellowship with one another because of the blood of Jesus Christ (1 John 1:3)
-We are filled with Christ’s fullness and are complete in Him. (Colossians 1:13-19, Psalm 89:27)
-Because we are complete in Him, we are risen with Christ, therefore, focus that way. (Colossians 3:1) Get your mind fixed on Christ. (Isaiah 26:3-4)
-Keep eternity in mind at all times.
-vs. 18- Remember Paul is bound for the Gospel, but the Gospel is not bound!
*Have you received the fullness of Christ?
“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in Him, who is the head of all rule and authority.” -Colossians 2:8-10
“Any idea or system of thought that would suggest He is not supreme and sovereign or that He is not infinitely and exclusively worthy of our absolute devotion and adoration is demonic at its core. Beware, says the apostle, of any such philosophy. Identify it. Denounce it. Deliver others from its destructive clutches.”
[From “The Hope of Glory” by Sam Storms pg. 164]
New Life Baptist Church 