Sermon Notes | Sunday, March 12th 2023
The Fruit of the Gospel: STRENGTH
Pastor Chris Pletcher
Colossians 1:3-6
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth.
Romans 3:23-25
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.
Jesus was PUT FORWARD on our behalf, so that we could be PUT BACK into
relationship with God the Father. This is the Good News!
Colossians 1:11-14
Let us give thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
While we live in this world, we live under His realm.
Romans 14:17
The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
There is a reason why our connection to God is constantly under attack...
"The JOY of the Lord is our STRENGTH." (Nehemiah 8:10)
John 10:7-10
So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Ignoring the enemy is not biblical strategy for how to defeat him and walk in victory.
2 Corinthians 2:11
"that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs."
Fighting for Your JOY is the Key to Your STRENGTH.
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
1 Thessalonians 5:16
Rejoice always.
REJOICE - to boast, to glorify proudly, to hold your head high
It likely comes from the root word "neck", in other words, that which holds up your head so that you can see from the proper perspective
It is boasting from a particular vantage point by having the right base of operation to deal successfully with a matter
It refers to living with GOD-GIVEN confidence
Psalm 3:1-3
O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah. But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Psalm 27:3-6
Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
REJOICING IN GOD IS OUR RESPONSE TO SPIRITUAL WARFARE!
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Ephesians 2:17-18
And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
REJOICING IS SIMPLE, but it is a choice.
Romans 4:18-21
In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
WE GROW STRONG... AS WE GIVE GLORY!
Psalm 100:1-2
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!