Background:
Paul writes his letter to the people in Colossae around 60 A.D.
He was writing to confront the heretical teachings that had been happening in Colossae
He wanted to encourage those who were believers to continue in their faith
Leaders were imposing rules on the people, creating gods from angels and deities that came from God
The point that Paul is really trying to make is the superiority of Christ; that the people need to focus on the treasures of Heaven, rather than the worldly things…the people need to leave their sinful lives behind and center their lives on Christ
Chapters 1-2: Paul did not establish this church
False teachers were spreading heresy, rejecting the deity of Christ
Paul’s assures the people that Jesus Christ is God
Chapters 3-4: Paul tells the people to focus on Christ; he says to “set your min don the things above”
He talks about how to deal with other believers and how to manage a family, he wants them to put aside the petty things are truly focus on faith
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
We are all loved by Him. Above all else we should love each other because He loves us. The thing that binds compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience is love.
From The Message: Colossians 3
15-17Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Define
define...our society is caught up on defining things and trying to give everything meaning or purpose, but as we have given things their own definitions, we have made them nouns. While most of our peers and other people our age would define love as a feeling(thoughts), we see that Paul is telling us love is an action, a lifestyle. Can we help give love a new definition in our society?!
I think that's our goal, to help show the true definition of love to a system(yet to be defined) within our community. I think Dr. Border's father is right when he said we need to "think globally and act locally." I think we might have started with the mentality that we were going to change the world in a semester, but we really do need to start in our own community with our peers and professors.
The Message, Matthew 10: 5-
"Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.... 16"Stay alert. This is hazardous work I'm assigning you. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don't call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove.
17-20"Don't be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation—just because you believe in me. Don't be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they've done you—and me—a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news! And don't worry about what you'll say or how you'll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words.... 26-27"Don't be intimidated. Eventually everything is going to be out in the open, and everyone will know how things really are. So don't hesitate to go public now. 28"Don't be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There's nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.
I think that's our goal, to help show the true definition of love to a system(yet to be defined) within our community. I think Dr. Border's father is right when he said we need to "think globally and act locally." I think we might have started with the mentality that we were going to change the world in a semester, but we really do need to start in our own community with our peers and professors.
The Message, Matthew 10: 5-
"Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.... 16"Stay alert. This is hazardous work I'm assigning you. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don't call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove.
17-20"Don't be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation—just because you believe in me. Don't be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they've done you—and me—a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news! And don't worry about what you'll say or how you'll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words.... 26-27"Don't be intimidated. Eventually everything is going to be out in the open, and everyone will know how things really are. So don't hesitate to go public now. 28"Don't be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There's nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)