Podcasts about introduction good

Introduction Good morning, Church family. Today we honor one of God's most beautiful and profound gifts: mothers. And not just biological mothers, but all women who have loved, nurtured, prayed, and comforted others like a mother would—whether you're a mom, a spiritual mother, a grandmother, or a mother-figure.…

Introduction: Good morning, If you have your Bibles let me invite you to open with me to the book of Acts chapter 18. Today we conclude our study of the second missionary journey of the apostle Paul The passage is not super theologically deep. It doesn't include one of Paul's lengthy teachings. It's…

Introduction: Good morning, If you have your Bibles let me invite you to open with me to the book of Acts chapter 18. We will begin reading in verse 1 and read through verse 17 and then we will say a word of prayer for God to help us understand. 1 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And…

Introduction Good morning. And Happy Easter. This morning we will be looking at one of the most famous texts concerning the Resurrection of the Son of God. The 15th Chapter of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. In Chapter 15, Paul has been reviewing the Gospel that he preached to the Corinthians…

Introduction Good morning. We continue our sermon series this morning on the Book of Ezra, and we arrive today at Chapter 3, which is one of the most important parts of Ezra's narrative. The exiles have returned, and they finally get to work. Originally, I was going to preach through the entire third…

Introduction Good morning! Today, we continue our journey through Ecclesiastes in our series, Ecclesiastes: The Quest for Meaning. This book challenges us to grapple with life's complexities and uncertainties under the sun while calling us to look beyond the sun to the eternal God. This morning, we come…

Introduction Good morning. We continue our sermon series this morning on the Book of Ezra, and we arrive today at Chapter 3, which is one of the most important parts of Ezra's narrative. The exiles have returned, and they finally get to work. Originally, I was going to preach through the entire third…

Introduction Good morning, church. We've been spending time in Ecclesiastes, a book that resonates deeply with anyone who has ever wondered, “What's the point of all this?” It shows us how easy it is to spend our lives chasing after things that ultimately leave us empty. In our culture, we're often told…

Introduction Good morning, church. As we continue our journey through Ecclesiastes, we arrive at a passage that confronts us with a sobering reality: the futility of labor when disconnected from God's eternal purpose. The Teacher, Qoheleth, wrestles with the same questions that haunt many of us today:…

Introduction Good morning to all of you. We continue our sermon series this morning called “I Believe” which is a line-by-line journey through the Apostles' Creed. And you know the line we come to today, I trust. In our wording of the Creed it is the bit where we confess that after Jesus died he descended…

Introduction: Good morning, if you have your bibles let me invite you to open with me to the book of Acts chapter 13… if you need a Bible just slip up your hand and one of our church members will be coming down the aisle with extra copies. In a broken world like ours, there is one thing that people cannot…

Introduction: Good morning, If you have your Bibles let me invite you to open with me to the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 16. We will begin reading in verse 13 and we will read all the way to the end of the chapter this morning , but we will primarily focus on just verses 13 and 14. 13 Be watchful,…

Introduction: Good morning, if you have your bibles let me invite you to open with me to 1 Corinthians 15 . If you don't have a Bible just slip up your hand and one of our church members will be glad to bring you one. We will begin reading in verse 20 this morning. If Jesus did not resurrect from the…

After a rejuvenating zero day to avoid the storms, I had one more day of road riding to catch my train. A familiar route, but not exactly one with mindfulness paid to bikes. Would I catch the train home? Celebrate 10 Years of Pedalshift Quick housekeeping if you missed last episode's live show news… I'm off to Oregon for the 10th anniversary tour: Oregon Coast Remixed! We'll pivot right into that as soon as we wrap up the C&O But Slow over the next few weeks, so stay tuned. Also another shout to Lael Wilcox's pod… her adventure around the world continues so make sure you follow along Lael Rides Around the World wherever you get this pod. Unless you get it off my website, in which case go google hers ;) C&O But Slow - Part 4 Introduction Good morning from the cabin. Discussion about the day's ride and weather conditions. Reflection on the decision to take a zero day due to bad weather. Travel Plans and Preparations Route description: predominantly downhill, then uphill, and flat sections. Mention of carrying less load compared to previous rides. Discussion on the necessity of taking the garbage to remote bins. Weather conditions: cold, layering up, and safety measures with lighting on the bike. Highlighting areas of exposure to highways and the importance of planning the ride to avoid rush. On the Road Experiences Initial thoughts after starting the ride and adjusting clothing layers. Navigating roads and using Google Maps for routing, challenges with algorithm recommendations. Encounter with the lowest elevation point near Back Creek and the difficulties with uphill rides. Discussion about the upcoming route, including passing the county landfill and Ridge Road's rollercoaster-like terrain. Mid-Ride Reflections Break to consume snacks and hydrate, reflection on time management for the ride. Encounter with local traffic and the need for careful navigation on Ridge Road. Challenges with the bike's mid gears and potential need for maintenance. Final Leg of the Journey Detailed description of the last few miles and final crossing of Highway 9. Observations on new constructions and reflections on the local area's development. Final thoughts on the ride, considering an e-bike for future trips for efficiency. Nearing the train station, managing time well and cooling down after the ride. Arrival at Martinsburg Train Station Reflection on the ease of the final stretch and the efficiency of the route taken. Thoughts on Martinsburg's potential and current state, including commuter resources. Preparing for the train ride back, discussion on local transit options and their effectiveness. Return to DC Arrival in DC, reflection on the overall trip and its unexpected developments. Observations on local cycling culture and the changes seen in the area. Mention of upcoming episodes and future plans for spring and summer. Statistics Miles biked 20.1 Trains taken 1 Bars eaten 2 Celebratory train beers 1 Flats 0

Introduction : Good morning, If you have your bibles let me invite you to open with me to 1 Corinthians 14 . We will begin reading in verse 1 and we will read all the way to verse 25. Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue…

Introduction: Good morning, if you have your Bibles let me invite you to open with me to the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 12. We are going to read verses 27-31 of chapter 12, and then the entirety of chapter 13. Chapter 13 is a special chapter in God's word. It is a popular chapter of the bible. It…

Send us a Text Message.Introduction:Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, and good everything. How are you all doing? It's truly good to be back in this space. Before we dive in, I must ask, sincerely, how are you? I know it's been challenging for many of us. But you know, before I came on, I was reflecting on something. What a wonderful time to be alive. We're experiencing so much on Earth today. Everywhere you turn, there's this common thread, this human theme that weaves through our collective experience. And it's like we're all going through this phase together. So, how are you? I hope you're well.Topic Introduction:Today, I want to delve into a topic that has been on my mind for quite some time: the concept of tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow. We're all racing towards something, aren't we? It's like we're constantly chasing after this elusive future, this vision of tomorrow that seems just out of reach. And in the pursuit of this tomorrow, we often find our lives changing before our very eyes. We undergo transformations, sometimes without even realizing it until we look back and see how far we've come.Exploration of the Topic:So, who is the man who sees tomorrow? I'm not talking about some mystical seer or fortune teller. I'm talking about individuals who have a heightened sense of vision, an ability to see beyond the present moment and glimpse into the future. And I want to explore this idea through the lens of two stories from movies that have stuck with me.Storytelling:The first story comes from a series called Eli Stone. Eli, a lawyer with a unique gift of seeing the future, takes on cases that have a moral significance, often at the expense of his career. His ability to foresee events leads him to make decisions that ultimately shape the future for the better.In another movie, Nicholas Cage's character possesses the ability to see a few minutes into the future. However, his power becomes heightened when he enters into a deep relationship with someone. Through this partnership, he gains insights that extend far beyond mere moments, giving him a profound understanding of what lies ahead.Relating to a Higher Power:But seeing tomorrow isn't just about having a special gift or talent. It's about tapping into a deeper relationship, a connection to something greater than ourselves. In the Bible, Jesus spoke to his disciples about the importance of the Holy Spirit in shaping their future. He told them that their ability to impact the world depended on their relationship with the Spirit.Conclusion:So, when we talk about seeing tomorrow, it's not merely about being analytical or predictive. It's about having a relationship with the Holy Spirit, a connection that enables us to see beyond the limitations of our human understanding. Through this relationship, we can craft visions that transcend time and space, shaping a future that aligns with our deepest desires and aspirations.Support the Show.You can support this show via the link below;https://www.buzzsprout.com/1718587/supporters/new

Introduction:Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, good everything, wherever you are! It's a joy to connect once again, right here in this space where we come together to share experiences and forge a positive path. Welcome back to The World Cafe live show, it's truly wonderful to have you here with me. I hope you're doing well, thriving, and feeling the pulse of life coursing through you, just as I am in this moment.Recap:April has been quite the whirlwind, hasn't it? So many events, so many moments that have left their mark on our journey. But today, let's set aside the negatives and bask in the glow of the positives. Like the recent encounter with a chess master from Nigeria, Tundi Onukoya. It reminded me of the power of perseverance, of not giving up even when the odds seem insurmountable. It's a testament to what happens when we set our minds to something and refuse to relent.Theme Introduction:And that brings us to our topic for today: mind over matter. It's a phrase we've all heard before, but what does it truly mean? I recently came across a profound insight from Dr. Sam Adeyemi, a preacher whose words resonated deeply with me. He said, "What gets into your mind will show up in your life." Simple yet profound, isn't it? Our thoughts, our beliefs, they shape our reality in ways we may not even realize.Exploration:Consider this: throughout history, humanity has recognized the existence of portals, gateways that open up new possibilities and dimensions. And one of the most powerful gateways we possess is the gateway of the mind. It's where our dreams take root, where our desires are nurtured into existence. As I delved into this concept, I couldn't help but be reminded of a passage from Corinthians.Corinthians Passage:In Corinthians 2:9, it is written, "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived—the things God has prepared for those who love him." Reading it backward, we gain a fresh perspective on its meaning. It highlights the interconnectedness of our senses and our mind, how they shape our perception of reality.Transformation:Our minds are like machines, constantly processing the inputs we receive and manufacturing outcomes based on those inputs. As the saying goes, "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind." It's a call to action, a reminder that we have the power to shape our reality through our thoughts and beliefs.Conclusion:So, as we navigate the complexities of life, let's remember that we have a choice. We can either conform to the images presented to us by the world around us, or we can chart our own course. We can be in something without being of it, simply by being mindful of what we allow into our minds through our eye and ear gates. By doing so, we tap into a dimension of existence where success isn't just a possibility—it's inevitable.Thank you for joining me on this journey of exploration and discovery. Until next time, keep dreaming, keep believing, and keep manifesting the life you desire. Take care, and remember, the power is within you.Support the Show.You can support this show via the link below;https://www.buzzsprout.com/1718587/supporters/new

Introduction: Good morning, good afternoon, wherever you are. This is Chris. Today, I want to delve into a topic that's close to my heart: the intricate interplay between our emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations. Join me as I share insights from my own journey towards inner balance and self-discovery. Exploring the Interconnectedness of Heart and Mind: For me, understanding the relationship between my heart and mind has been a profound journey of self-exploration. I've come to realize that trying to dissect these aspects of myself is like untangling a knot - complex and often futile. Our emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations are deeply intertwined, making it challenging to isolate one from the other.

Introduction: Good morning, if you have your Bibles let me invite you to open with me to the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 9. We will begin reading in verse 19. The Corinthians are challenging Paul's ministry and methods. And at this point in the letter, Paul is in the midst of providing his defense.…

This episode is sponsored by Farewell Coffee Roasters. Add BSFREEMD15 to your cart for 15% off your first order. Your first cup awaits! May and Tim discuss the recent censorship of their content, specifically an episode featuring Dr. Jack Wolfson that was pulled from YouTube due to discussions related to vaccines. They highlight the strict guidelines on medical misinformation imposed by platforms like YouTube and emphasize the need to address censorship issues. They also suggest that the key to combating censorship is for individuals to speak up and challenge narratives, even if they feel isolated in their views. Looking for something specific? Here you go! 0:00:01.925 - Introduction: Good morning. 0:00:04.386 - Discussion on recent censorship. 0:00:25.077 - Explaining the circumstances of recording. 0:01:05.001 - Mention of Google Podcasts becoming YouTube podcasts. 0:01:45.715 - Discussion on YouTube's strict guidelines on medical misinformation. 0:04:21.576 - Importance of local-level conversations and challenging narratives. 0:06:54.672 - Encouraging people to speak up against censorship. 0:08:29.745 - Suggestion to unplug as the first step in combating censorship. Our Advice! Everything in this podcast is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute the practice of medicine and we are not providing medical advice. No Physician-patient relationship is formed and anything discussed in this podcast does not represent the views of our employers.  The Fine Print! All opinions expressed by the hosts or  guests in this episode are solely their opinion and are not to be used as specific medical advice.  The hosts,  May and Tim Hindmarsh MD, BS Free MD LLC, or any affiliates thereof are not under any obligation to update or correct any information provided in this episode. The guest's statements and opinions are subject to change without notice. Thanks for joining us! You are the reason we are here.  If you have questions, reach out to us at doc@bsfreemd.com or find Tim and I on Facebook and IG. Please check out our every growing website as well at  bsfreemd.com (no www)  GET SOCIAL WITH US! https://www.withkoji.com/@bsfreemd

Introduction: Good morning, If you have your Bible let me invite you to open with me to 1 Corinthians chapter 7. I want to begin with the theological foundation for this week's passage. Here it is. God loves you. He desires an active and forever relationship with you. He has proved his love for you through…

Introduction: Good morning. If you have your Bibles let me invite you to open with me to the book of 1 Corinthians. We have been working our way through 1 Corinthians verse by verse and chapter by chapter… and Last week we began our study of one of the more difficult chapters in the Bible… a chapter…

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Introduction: Good morning once again. I am overjoyed to be entrusted with the proclamation of God's Word today. Let me quickly take care of a bit of housekeeping. Today we are in I Timothy 2:1-7 . Next week I will be out of the pulpit and we have Ron West from down the street at Bethel EC church who…

Introduction: Good morning, If you have your Bibles let me invite you to open with me to 1 Corinthians chapter 3. We will begin reading in verse 1. But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for…

Jude 1:1-4 Introduction Good morning. Well, this is the final sermon in our Counter the Culture series. This has been a challenging series just in the preparation as well as in some of the topics that we have covered. I am looking forward to diving into I Timothy when I come back on the 17th after we…

Introduction: Good morning. I want to add another welcome to you who are here in person and those watching online. Today we jump back into our Summer in the Psalms. Psalms is a massive book so we are picking and choosing a few passages to cover during the summer months. Psalms was the songbook of the…

Matthew 21:1-17 Introduction: Good morning and welcome once again to this gathering of Hope Bible Fellowship. We have been walking through the book of Nehemiah for the last several weeks. For the next two Sundays we are going step away from that to celebrate Palm Sunday and Easter week and then we will…

Nehemiah 8 March 26, 2023 Introduction: Good morning once again. I invite you to open your Bibles or your devices to Nehemiah chapter 8. Today we are going to see what happens when the Word of God is honored by the people of God. Up to this point Nehemiah has come from Susa where he was serving as cup…

Introduction: Good morning. It's a joy to be with you this morning to open God's Word. I invite you to open your Bibles to Nehemiah chapter 5. As we come to Nehemiah chapter 5 we find Nehemiah still leading the building project to rebuild the walls and gates of Jerusalem. He had been allowed there by…

Introduction: Good morning once again. Go ahead and open your Bibles to Nehemiah 4 . Last week we covered Nehemiah motivating and organizing the work to rebuild the walls and gates of Jerusalem. Everyone was pitching in from priests to perfumers and temple servants. They each had a section based on what…

Introduction Good morning once again. It's great to see you all. Go ahead and open your Bible to the book of Nehemiah chapter 3. Last week I began a walk through the book of Nehemiah as he traveled to Jerusalem, with the king's permission, to rebuild the city walls and gates of the city. Just to recap…

What is Biblical Leadership? Nehemiah 1-2 Introduction: Good morning once again. It's great to be back with you this morning. Go ahead and open your Bibles to the book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament. What are the characteristics of a godly leader? What does a godly leader do? What are they like? How…

Introduction Good morning and welcome to this gathering of Hope Bible Fellowship. My name is Cal and I am the pastor here. If you are a guest with us or just now joining us online I want to give you a special welcome. If you would fill out one of our connection cards on the table as you leave, we'd love…

When We Gather... Introduction Good morning, once again. It's a privilege and a joy to open the Word of God with you today. Go ahead and open your Bibles to Acts chapter two. That's where we are going to begin this morning. Now if you're new to us or it's your first time joining us online, I normally…

Be It Resolved... Introduction Good morning and Happy New Year to you. It's so good to have you here with us. This morning's message will be a little different. I want to open the New Year by challenging you to long for the Lord. Go ahead and open your Bibles to Psalm 42 and 43. We're going to take a…

Be It Resolved... Introduction Good morning and Happy New Year to you. It's so good to have you here with us. This morning's message will be a little different. I want to open the New Year by challenging you to long for the Lord. Go ahead and open your Bibles to Psalm 42 and 43. We're going to take a…

Introduction: Good morning Church Family, I have very much been looking forward to saying these words. If you have your Bibles, let me invite you to open with me to the book of John chapter 17, we will begin reading in verse 20. If you don't have a copy of God's word just slip up your hand and one of…

Introduction: Good morning Church Family, I have very much been looking forward to saying these words. If you have your Bibles, let me invite you to open with me to the book of John chapter 17, we will begin reading in verse 20. If you don't have a copy of God's word just slip up your hand and one of…

Introduction: Good morning once again and welcome to Hope. At this time our children can be dismissed to children's worship. I invite the rest of you to open your bibles or devices to Matthew 1 with one finger and Ruth 1 with the other. Leading up to Christmas Sunday we are spending the sermons walking…

Introduction: Good morning once again and welcome to Hope. At this time our children can be dismissed to children's worship. I invite the rest of you to open your bibles or devices to Matthew 1 with one finger and Ruth 1 with the other. Leading up to Christmas Sunday we are spending the sermons walking…

The Gospel Saves Us into True Friendships Colossians 4:7-18 Introduction Good morning, Church! My name is Trent Houck, and I am one of the Pastors here at FCBC. We are closing out our series on the book of Colossians with this 18th sermon on the book. Over the past weeks, we have heard the Gospel preached through: Steve Walker, Ryan Patterson, Billy Mogensen, Dave Gibson, David O'Hara, Javier Sepulveda/Ben Tyson, Josiah Gerbitz, and Benj Foreman. We have been meditating on the truth of God's word that: 1.Jesus is enough (Col. 1:1-8) 2.Jesus is the one we run to in prayer (Col. 1:9-14) 3.Jesus is enough because he is preeminent (Col. 1:15-20) 4.Jesus' sufficiency saves us from our insufficiency (Col. 1:21-23) 5.Jesus' presence in us is the hope of glory! (Col. 1:24-29) 6.Jesus is our treasure of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:1-5) 7.We receive Christ, and walk in him (Col. 2:6-7) 8.Jesus is captivating (Col. 2:8-15) 9.Jesus is the substance and fullness of God (Col. 2:16-19) 10. Man made rules keep us from Christ (Col. 2:20-23) 11.Jesus is a worthy object for our new minds (Col. 3:1-4) 12.Christians slay sin because Jesus is enough (Col. 3:5-11) 13.Christian Community is defined by love (Col. 3:12-17) 14.The Gospel determines family order (Col. 3:18-22) 15.Christ's Kingdom is worth working for (Col. 3:23-4:1) 16. Christians preach the Gospel! (Col. 4:2-5) 17. Christians are saved to preach the Gospel prayerfully, wisely, and graciously (Col. 4:2-6) 18.Finally: The Gospel saves us into true friendships (Col. 4:7-18) All of this is to highlight our central theme: Rooted in Christ 6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. But, what does all this actually look like? It would be so easy for all of us to walk away from Colossians with better theology, more insight, and deeper interest in the person and work of Christ and to miss the connection to real people in real places. The final section of Colossians means to show us that the Gospel saves us into true friendship. That is to say, that when you have been reconciled to God, that necessarily means that you are in right standing with your brothers and sisters in Jesus. In other words, when you come to Christ, when you become a friend of God, you inherit all of Jesus' friends also. Illustration 1: (1st service just imagine) So, I would like to begin this section by illustration. I need 10 volunteers. (Count them out). Once I call you out, come on up and sit in a seat on the stage. Each of you will represent one of the people mentioned in Colossians 4:7-18. Let's hear God's word. Read the Text 7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, (1) 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here. (2) (Ask Tychicus and Onesimus to go sit down) 10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, (3) and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), (4) (Ask this group to stay) 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. (5) (Stay) 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. (6) (Ask Epaphras to get into a prayer posture) 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, (7) as does Demas. (8) (Ask to wave and look dignified) 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, (Left Side of the Sanctuary) (Ask congregation to say: "Greetings!") and to Nympha and the church in her house. (9) (Ask the congregation on the left side to say: "Hi Nympha!) 16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. (Ask the congregation to say: "You got it, Paul!") 17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” (10) (Ask the Congregation to say: "We'll tell him!") 18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. (Self) (Ask the congregation to celebrate volunteers and the close of the letter). Prayer: Let's pray together. Heavenly Father, we come before your word now in order to allow you to speak to our hearts. We recognize that this too is your word. In your sovereign plan, you chose to use these men and women to advance your Gospel. Help us to catch a vision of what this would look like for our own lives. Jesus, we praise you for your perfect life. The Father sent you, and you went for the joy set before, even enduring the cross. We thank you for your atoning death, for drinking the cup of God's wrath against sin, so that we might have friendship with God and fellowship with one another. Thank you for your resurrection, for the fact that you are now seated at the right hand of the throne in heaven, making intercession for us, even as we gather before you. Holy Spirit, give us a vision for Gospel-friendships and Gospel-partnerships here at FCBC. Give us the boldness, courage, and desire to lay down our lives for others, to trust each other, and to grow in maturity to the stature and fullness of Christ. We pray these things for the glory of God in Jesus' name, amen. Exegetical Introduction The Gospel saves us into true friendship. You don't have to look past the first verse in Colossians to see that Paul was a man who loved friendship. He writes in Colossians 1:1-2, "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother. To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae…" Timothy was one of Paul's closest friends. Paul writes of Timothy in Philippians 2:20, "...I have no one like him[Timothy], who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare" and "...you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel" (Phil. 2:22). Paul almost never worked alone, and when it came to writing his books, he gave credit to the co-author, Timothy. That's true friendship. Do you have these kinds of friends? Even a best friend? In many ways, the entire letter to the Colossians was an expression of friendship. We rarely write letters today, but the communication between Paul and Collosae was dripping with familial affection and love. Since Paul has come to know Epaphras, he has come to love him. And, a friend of Epaphras (who planted the church in Colossae, and wanted to plant more in the Lycus Valley) is a friend of Paul's. Paul loved to surround himself with friends. One author writes, “In the book of Acts there are more than 100 different Christians associated with Paul. He named sixteen different friends in Romans 16 alone! Here in Colossians he was true to form as he named ten people in closing.”[ Hughes, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, 362. ] Why do you think that Paul had so many friends? Paul had friends because friendship is intrinsic to the Gospel. It's like pizza with cheese. You can't have pizza without the cheese. (I suppose, some of you can). Paul writes, "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" (Colossians 1:14). You can't have the Gospel without the "us". That is, Jesus' decisive saving work in the life of the believer places you in a new kingdom. And, a friend of Jesus is a friend of mine, Paul says. In fact, Paul goes so far as to say that these relationships are brother/sister relationships. Because of Jesus' finished work, we are now family. Now, these new brothers and sisters are not only people who destroy your lego sets, leave their clothes out in your room, and savagely beat you at Monopoly. These are the kinds of brothers and sisters who get you presents at Christmas, help you with the dishes, and are people you'd like to emulate.[ Edit: Every isolated individual sipping Starbucks and reading their Bibles on Sundays thinking that they can have Jesus without the Church are sorely mistaken. Jesus without the Church, is Trent without Lauren. Jesus without the Church, is spirituality without realism. Jesus without the Church is not what Jesus died for. Jesus died for his bride. And, he calls Christians to live for her, to love her, to strengthen her. Because, after all, who hates his own body? ] Main Question/Tension: So, here is the main question for us this morning: are we actively engaging with these kinds of friendships here at FCBC? Are you a good friend? Paul has already detailed for us that sin breaks friendships down in a few ways. He writes, "Here [that is, in the household of God] there is not Greek and Jew [that is, friendship on the basis of racial or ethnic background], circumcised and uncircumcised [that is, friend lines because of religious background], barbarian [that is, friend lines on the basis of social status], Scythian [geography or obscurity], slave [economic status], free [citizenry]; but Christ is all [that is, what matters most] and in all [that is, in all kinds of people]" (Col. 3:11). Paul says, "none of these things need to divide you." However, because we live in a fallen world, left to ourselves we do divide over all kinds of things. We feel alienated by people who are different than us, and we sometimes actively or accidentally alienate those who would otherwise befriend us.This happens within our church even as it happens in our world. People want to form groups around age, gender, married, single, kids, no kids, hobbies, school choice, background, and the like. We naturally drift toward people who are just like us. Raise your hand if you have ever felt lonely. Have you ever wondered why? What's the solution to this sin problem? The answer is the Gospel. The Gospel saves us into true friendships. Here's what this means. The Gospel saves us into at least six kinds of friendships. We need all the types. And, we need to learn to become all of them as well.[ What Paul details here in this list of friends is that the Gospel rescues us into active friendship with a variety of kinds of people. This is good news, because the Gospel is not reductionistic. God knows that we need close friends, weird friends, old friends, new friends, lost friends, found friends, and everywhere in between. ] This is the good news: when we become friends with Jesus through his death, burial and resurrection, we have a friend who will never leave us or forsake us, and Jesus brings you into friendship with his best friends. Outline: The Gospel saves us into: 1.Commissioned Friendships (Colossians 4:7-9). a.These are friends we purposefully give away to others. 2.Comfort Friendships (Colossians 4:10-11). a.These are longtime childhood friends. 3.Commended Friendships (Colossians 4:12-13). a.These are respected friends that we look up. 4.Church Friendships (Colossians 4:15-16). a.These are friends that we'd only make because of the Gospel. 5.Collapsing Friendships (Colossians 4:17). a.These are friends who need support, struggling friends. 6.Current Friendships (Colossians 4:18). a.New Friends.[ Edit: a.What kinds of friends do you need? (Ask God for this) b.What kind of friend am you? (Ask your friends about this) c.What kinds of friends have you had in the past? (Praise God for this!) d.What kind of friend will you be in the future? (Ask God about this) e.What do I appreciate most about God's friendship with me? (Praise God for this!)] Main Point: The Gospel saves us into true friendships. Commissioned Friendships (Colossians 4:7-9) First, the Gospel saves us into commissioned friendships. We read, 7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts,9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here. Tychicus and Onesimus are commissioned friends. Tychicus was a loyal friend. He was faithful. He was with Paul when Paul went through really hard times. Paul wrote: "I was shipwrecked, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure" (2 Corinthians 11:25-27). Tychicus was there for all that. Many left Paul behind, but Tychicus stuck by him. As the Colossian letter is being written in Rome, someone had to volunteer to take it back. Paul was probably scratching his chin, wondering: who should I send to take this back to the Colossians? Tychicus had internalized this beautiful passage from Romans, "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed, Tychicus? And how are they to believe in him in whom they have never heard, Tychicus? And how are they to hear without someone preaching, Tychicus? And how are they to preach unless they are sent, Tychicus? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'" (Romans 10:14-16). As the final pen strokes of Colossians are being laid, I imagine that Paul is asking: Who will go for us? Tychicus steps forward. "Send me, I'll go." More than likely, tears filled Paul's eyes, realizing what he was asking. "Yes, Tychicus, you will go, but not without Onesimus." Onesimus looked up surprised. "Me?" Onesimus is a runaway slave. Paul says, "Yes you, Onesimus. I have a letter for your master Philemon that you will carry as well."[ Meynell, Colossians For You, 169. ] Tears fill Onesimus's eyes for other reasons. "Remember, Onesimus, 'Here in the body of Christ there is no…' "Slave or Free." Onesimus says. "Okay, Paul. I will go." Onesimus was being commissioned to apply the Gospel to a broken friendship and partnership with Philemon. And, Onesimus was being sent to repair the breach because, "If two believers cannot be reconciled, then either both or one is not in fellowship with God."[ Hughes, 364. ] Tychicus went to deliver the letter. Onesimus went as the embodiment of the message. Gospel proclamation necessarily means this kind of Gospel friendship. These two depart on their 1000 mile journey to the Colossians with their letters in hand, and one more (likely Ephesians). Do you have friends like that? If you know Jesus, you have a friend who was sent to deliver you a message. If you know Jesus, you know someone like Onesimus too: Jesus was the message (John 1). Paul has friends that he is willing to commission so that the Gospel advances in the world. He trusts them. He leans on them. He sends them. Paul sends Tychicus and Onesimus. Paul has commissioned friends. But, doesn't that leave Paul lonely? That leads us to our next point: Comfort Friendships (Colossians 4:10-11) Second, the Gospel saves us into friendships that bring us comfort. When we lose friends, it's really important that we are not left alone. So, God provides other kinds of friends. Paul writes, 10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me So, Paul has three Jewish friends. These are friends who share heritage, upbringing, native language, and new life in Jesus. If you have been in foreign area for any length of time, you begin to hunger and thirst for your native language, culture, and norms. God graciously provides these three men to: a.Be in prison with him (Aristarchus) b.Be reconciled to him (Mark) c.Be with him (Jesus). Now, Paul highlights these men for a few different reasons: 1.The Colossians care about Paul! They want to know how he is doing. They want to know that he's alive, and how God is providing for him. They desire to pray for him and help him in any way they can. They are not indifferent to him. 2.The Colossians wondered about Mark. If the Colossians are aware of Mark's departure from Paul in Acts 16, they'll need to know that things are good between them now. As you remember, there was a point when Mark bailed on Paul, and it hurt him pretty badly! But, Paul wants them to know that they are in good hands if Mark comes their way. They've reconciled. 3.The Colossians needed to know who was safe. We don't know almost anything about Jesus called Justus. But,I think that Paul mentions him here so that if the Colossians have developed an apprehension to Jewish teachers because of the Colossian heresy, they would know that Jesus called Justus comes recommended by Paul. These are comfort, safe friends. They are people who continually encourage Paul's heart because they get him. These are friends with whom Paul would share inside jokes from his culture. They would know his native language. They would be able to speak in a unique way to the matters of his heart. But, doesn't Paul also need to be challenged? This leads us to our third point: Commended Friendships (Colossians 4:12-14) Third, the Gospel saves us into commended friendships. These are friendships with people that we look up to in the faith, or at least those who are peers with us. Even Paul needed to see examples of faith. He needed to be encouraged by church planters and missionaries. He needed to be reminded of the Gospel. He writes, 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. This is quite a commendation! "Praise from the praiseworthy is above all rewards."[ Attributed to Tolkien. ] To have the hard-working, prayerful Paul say: "That guys is hard-working! That guy is prayerful!" is a deep commendation of Epaphras' spiritual fitness. This was encouraging to Paul. Paul didn't always have good days. There were times that Paul was really lonely, scared, fearful, and depressed, just like we would be if we were in his situation. We read in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, 8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead (2 Corinthians 1:8-9). There were also times when Paul was anxious: 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? (2 Corinthians 11:28) Epaphras reminded Paul of why he was doing what he was doing. Epaphras was a church-planter, a missionary. Paul's own life was reflected in Epaphras. And, Jesus' life was reflected in both. So, Paul commends three things about Epaphras: 1.His prayer life. Epaphras prays often "...always struggling on your behalf…" He prays specifically "...that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God."[ Edit: We know that Epaphras was also in prison with Paul (Philemon 23). While being chained, Epaphras knew that the most effective work that he could do for the kingdom was through prayer. ] 2.His work ethic. "He has worked hard for you." Epaphras is not in this for self-glory, but for Gospel advancement. He hits his knees, preaches, teaches, and leads for the sake of the Gospel. This impresses Paul. 3.His vision. And if that isn't enough, Epaphras wants to see the Gospel advance. He has a heart "For those in Laodicea and Hierapolis." He's not concerned only for his hometown, but for the surrounding cities. Paul mentions two more friends: 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. You can read about Luke all throughout the book of Acts. He is the Author of Luke and Acts, and he is a key player in the Gospel advancing. He is the "beloved healer", probably extremely bright, intellectual, and competent. We don't know a ton about Demas. At the moment of the writing of Colossians, he is "a fellow worker with Paul"[ Philemon 1:24. ] Maybe that's all we need to know! Nonetheless, Paul needed commendable friends. Even so, Paul needs friends who will move the Gospel work forward. That leads us to our next point. Church Friendships (Colossians 4:15-16) Fourth, God saves us into Church friendships. These are friendships that develop around the mission of Christ, and that continue in the mission of Christ. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. Paul expected that the Colossians would pass along the things that he had said to the Laodiceans and to the Church in Nympha's house. Further, he expected that his letters would be read all over the Lycus Valley. The "letter from Laodicea" is probably Ephesians.[ Meynell, Colossians for You, 173. ] This means that his communication was intended to be read more broadly.[ Edit: In other words, the very words of Paul were to be taken not only as authoritative, but as the means through which other people would be converted to Christ. There were timeless, truths that have spanned beyond the Roman Empire into our day that were to be understood, applied, and lived out in the Church Age. ] Because the greetings spanned out across the Lycus Valley, we can also say, in a very indirect way, that Paul greets us from the first century through the letter to the Colossians. Pretty cool! Here is the key point: when you have deep, Gospel friendships, the relationships expand much further than just the individual. Illustration: The Gospel brings you into a sort of web of friendships. Whatever you do in one friendship affects all the rest. We can see this very clearly with Paul, but we usually don't consider the ways that we are at center-points of our web of friendships. The Christian is called to have Jesus at the center of all of his or her friendships, and that necessarily connects you to the rest of the body of Christ. That leads to our fifth point. Collapsing Friendships (Colossians 4:17) Fifth, and briefly, Collapsing friends. These are people who are struggling in Christian ministry and are very tempted to give up. We are not to see these people as projects or as lost causes, but to follow Paul's examples in the following way: 17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” Maybe Archippus was just beginning in ministry (Phil. 1:2), or maybe there was a particular issue that was leading him to feel like he couldn't fulfill his ministry. Either way, Paul singled out this man and called the Colossian Church to reaffirm their desire for him to fulfill his ministry. Paul, at the end of his own life says this in 2 Timothy 4: 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6-8). Paul knows that it is not how a minister starts his ministry that really matters, but how one finishes. All along the way, there will be people in your life who will struggle to finish well. We are called to encourage them. That leads us to our final point. Current Friendships (Colossians 4:18) Sixth, and finally, Paul affirms his friendships with the Colossians. 18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Paul knows that his personal voice matters to the Colossians. He pulls back the curtain and says something to help the Colossians feel, know and believe that Paul is for them because God is for them. Application: a.What kinds of friends do you need? (Ask God for this) b.What kind of friend are you? (Ask your friends about this) c.What kinds of friends have you had in the past? (Praise God for this!) d.What kind of friend will you be in the future? (Ask God about this) e.What do I appreciate most about God's friendship? (Praise God for this!) Testimony & Baptism So ends the book of Colossians. We are going to transition now into two things. 1.Testimony: We are going to show a short recap of testimonies from people who have been encouraged by the message of Colossians. Then, 2.Baptism: We are going to see a baptism together. Water baptism, intended for true believers who have been saved by the work of Christ, is an act of obedience and a visual demonstration of a person's union with Christ in the likeness of His death and resurrection. It signifies that the power of sin is broken, vividly depicting a believer's newness of life. Key Texts: Mt 28:19- 20; Acts 2:41; 8:34-39; Rom 6:3-11. a. The person being baptized will share their testimony, be baptized and then we will celebrate the end of this series with one final song of worship. Let's join together in celebrating what God has done here at FCBC in the past 3-4 months.

Introduction: Good morning, If you have your Bibles let me invite you to open with me to the book of Mark chapter 11. We are going to begin reading with part of the passage that we covered last week and then we will continue on to our new text for study this morning. If its your first time here this…

Introduction: Good morning, If you have your Bibles let me invite you to open with me to the book of Mark chapter 11. We are going to begin reading with part of the passage that we covered last week and then we will continue on to our new text for study this morning. If its your first time here this…

Introduction: Good morning. If you have your Bibles let me invite you to open with me to the book of Mark chapter 6. We will begin reading in verse 53 and then read through chapter 7 verse 13. 53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. 54 And when they got…

Introduction: Good morning. If you have your Bibles let me invite you to open with me to the book of Mark chapter 6. We will begin reading in verse 53 and then read through chapter 7 verse 13. 53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. 54 And when they got…

Introduction: Good morning, If you have your Bibles let me invite you to open with me to the book of Mark 2:1-12 Having studied Mark chapter 1 for 7 weeks now, we turn our attention to chapter 2. We know from chapter 1, that Mark's primary aim is to show us that Jesus really is the divine Son of God.…

Introduction: Good morning, If you have your Bibles let me invite you to open with me to the book of Mark 2:1-12 Having studied Mark chapter 1 for 7 weeks now, we turn our attention to chapter 2. We know from chapter 1, that Mark's primary aim is to show us that Jesus really is the divine Son of God.…

Good morning, listen to us ramble! This introductory podcast gives an inside scoop of what goes on inside of our minds! We jump back and forth into topics, giving the listener an understanding of how our thought process occurs. Hope you enjoy :) (Warning: does have some explicit cursing) Follow us on our socials! Instagram: @someoneelsespodcast @erin_oliver_ & @alex.andriabentley Twitter: @SETpcast @erinitoburritoo @kattmamii