KNOWING GOD'S WILL (3 OF 18)
by Tony Nester
Scripture: COLOSSIANS 1:9-10
This content is part of a series.
Knowing God's Will (3 of 18)
Colossians
Tony Nester
Colossians 1:9-10
We are continuing today with our study of Paul's
Letter to the Church at Colossae. Last week we saw
that this young church was spiritually on track. They
were growing in the three qualities Paul expected to
find in every authentic church: faith in Christ, love
for one another, and hope in God's power. The Gospel
message had taken root in this congregation and Paul
could say to these believers:
(Colossians 1:6 NRSV) "...Just as it [the message of
Christ] is bearing fruit and growing in the whole
world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves
from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the
grace of God."
But now what? These believers had made a good
beginning. They had accepted the Gospel message of
Christ. They were showing signs of faith, hope, and
love. But what comes next? Have you asked yourself,
"What comes next in my spiritual growth?" It's easy to
avoid that question. Some people get baptized and
confirmed and never ask, "What's next?" Some people
say a prayer of faith and accept Christ and never ask,
"What's next?" Some people join a church but never
ask, "What's next?"
Max Lucado, tells a story about a lady who had a small
house on the seashore of Ireland at the turn of the
century. She was quite wealthy but also quite frugal.
The people were surprised, then, when she decided to
be among the first to have electricity in her home.
Several weeks after the installation, a meter reader
appeared at her door. He asked if her electricity was
working well, and she assured him it was. "I'm
wondering if you can explain something to me," he
said. "Your meter shows scarcely any usage. Are you
using your power?" "Certainly," she answered. "Each
evening when the sun sets, I turn on my lights just
long enough to light my candles; then I turn them
off." (1).
Well, she had made a beginning with electricity ...
Colossians
Tony Nester
Colossians 1:9-10
We are continuing today with our study of Paul's
Letter to the Church at Colossae. Last week we saw
that this young church was spiritually on track. They
were growing in the three qualities Paul expected to
find in every authentic church: faith in Christ, love
for one another, and hope in God's power. The Gospel
message had taken root in this congregation and Paul
could say to these believers:
(Colossians 1:6 NRSV) "...Just as it [the message of
Christ] is bearing fruit and growing in the whole
world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves
from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the
grace of God."
But now what? These believers had made a good
beginning. They had accepted the Gospel message of
Christ. They were showing signs of faith, hope, and
love. But what comes next? Have you asked yourself,
"What comes next in my spiritual growth?" It's easy to
avoid that question. Some people get baptized and
confirmed and never ask, "What's next?" Some people
say a prayer of faith and accept Christ and never ask,
"What's next?" Some people join a church but never
ask, "What's next?"
Max Lucado, tells a story about a lady who had a small
house on the seashore of Ireland at the turn of the
century. She was quite wealthy but also quite frugal.
The people were surprised, then, when she decided to
be among the first to have electricity in her home.
Several weeks after the installation, a meter reader
appeared at her door. He asked if her electricity was
working well, and she assured him it was. "I'm
wondering if you can explain something to me," he
said. "Your meter shows scarcely any usage. Are you
using your power?" "Certainly," she answered. "Each
evening when the sun sets, I turn on my lights just
long enough to light my candles; then I turn them
off." (1).
Well, she had made a beginning with electricity ...
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