Text: Colossians 3

*The circumstances of life will change, but if you are a believer one thing that will never change is your union with Christ!

Colossians 3:1-4
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

I. You must focus your heart on Christ

The first step on finding out what it means to love God is looking at how God loves us.

II. You must forsake sin.

You can’t love sinning and love Jesus at the same time

A. You are dead to sin
B. Sin disrupts fellowship with God

It is not God who refuses to be in the presence of us and our sin, it is we who refuse to be with God when we sin.

III. You have found new life in Christ.

Galatians 2:20
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

We often try to attain Christ by good works or attain joy by sinful pleasures. Once you are saved, Jesus Christ has already given Himself to you and He is the source of joy.

Surrendering often has the result of you simply being faithful where you are at.

The true measure of success in the Christian life is faithfulness and obedience to the Lord.

TEXT: Selected Texts

Romans 14:17
“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

Colossians 2:16
“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

I Corinthians 11:23-26
“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.”

I. A POINTED REMINDER

The Lords Table is not another holiday meal we simply consume, it’s a holy meal designed to remind us of Christ’s sacrifice.

II. A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP

A. Inner relationship with Christ
B. Interpersonal relationship with others

I Corinthians 10:17
“For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.”

III. A PRACTICAL RESPONSE

I Corinthians 11:28
“But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”

The purpose of examination is participation!

A. Share

Quote:
I have asked the Lord to take from me the super sensitivity that robs the soul of joy and peace and causes fellowship to cease.

B. Serve

Your level of humility will determine the depths of your happiness.

Text: Luke 2

I. RECEIVE THE GLORY OF CHRISTMAS

The message of Christmas is not one of condemnation but reconciliation. It is a message of celebration for salvation has come!

II. GIVE THE GRACE OF CHRISTMAS

Titus 2:11-13
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”

We who have been redeemed by the grace of God should reach out with grace to others!

III. SHARE THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRISTMAS

Jesus, the prince of peace, offers permanent and perfect peace to all who will come to him.

Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Quote:
“In short, Jesus is the divine light of the world because he brings a new life to replace our spiritual deadness, because he shows us the truth that heals our spiritual blindness, and because he is the beauty that breaks our addictions to money, sex, and power. He is the Light for us when all other lights go out.” Tim Keller

II Corinthians 4:4-6
“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”