2018.02.11 礼拝

2018.02.11 礼拝

2018.02.11 Colossians 1:13-18 Accepting the Lordship of Christ.

Matthew 28:18 An Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

➀ Try hard to deepen your relationship with Christ daily.

Colossians 1:9-10 9For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.

Paul’s letter to Christians in Colossians to grow in knowing God.

Ephesians 1:16-17 16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

”To know God” is not a literal definition “to know” as in a dictionary,” but to get “to know God so that the relationships with God can be deepened.”

What is “knowledge of God”?

・he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness (1:13) and brought us to light.

・brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves (1:13) and not to control us by force.

・we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (1:14) not zero or neutral of sin but made righteous

・He is the image of the invisible God (1:15)

・the firstborn over all creation (1:15)

・by him all things were created (1:16)

・things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities (1:16)

・all things were created by him and for him (1:16)

・He is before all things (1:17)

・in him all things hold together (1:17)

・he is the head of the body, the church (1:18)

・the firstborn from among the dead (1:18)

・in everything he might have the supremacy (1:18)

Those who get to know God (Christ) correctly will seek the right relationships with God (Christ).

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

When we believe God, we accept his full authority. We do not invite God into ourselves but release ourselves into the hands of God.

➁ Entrust yourself to Christ who reigns with love

Colossians1:13 13For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

To live in the kingdom of Christ,

・put the authority of Christ first with absolute obedience to Christ’s authority.

・give utmost priority to Christ

・put the word of Christ first

・first priority of Christ’s plan – to broaden the love of Christ to as many people as possible

・believe first in Christ’s love

Let’s imagine. For example …

・What would the relationships between [husband and wife], [parents and children], and [brothers and sisters] be like when you put Christ first in your family.

・What kind of changes could happen in the way you work, personal relations, and career building when you put Christ first at work.

・Can you imagine that a child learning to put Christ first would be more important in building the child’s confidence and happiness than education, sporting ability, and literature in parenting?