Becoming an influential church Colossians 1:3-6

Becoming an influential churchWe always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints-- the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth. (Col 1:3-6)

1. Make sacrifice joyfully

Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. (1:24)

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Spiritual battle involves sacrifice!

2. Teach the word of God fully

I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness (1:25)

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. (1:28-29)

Creative teaching methods

No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved. (Matt 9:16-17)

New Wine = Spirit of the gospelWineskins = Church structure/methodology

3. Apply the Word of God genuinelyWe have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints-- the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. (v. 5)

Reconciliation within the church while reaching out the world

Obedience is the key

Two Discipleship Models

Old thinkingOld behavior

Hebrew way of knowing Greek Way of knowing Right action leads Right thinking leads to right thinking to right action

New Thinking New Thinking New Behavior Old behavior

Intellectualism/Liberalism

Amoralism/Anti-miracle

Obey Debate

4. Expand the Kingdom of God passionately

All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth. (v. 6a)

Understood = personal experienceGlobal impact of the gospel

Kingdom vs Fortress expansion