Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

It has been quite a while since we have considered the Epistle to the Colossians for our Sunday messages. But having finished Advent and come to the end of yet another year, we will return to our walk through this Epistle, written by the Apostle Paul from prison in the great city of Rome.

I cannot think of a better place to be this coming Lord’s Day morning than in Colossians 3:17. In our Father’s wonderful providence, we have arrived at the final Sunday of the year at what is both a perfect verse to end the year on, but also to begin another! If there was ever a verse from the Word of God that would launch us off into a fresh set of days, it is this one!

You will remember that in this section of his letter, Paul has been showing his readers a beautiful picture of the new life that we have been granted by faith in the Lord Jesus. And he has done so in terms of putting off the “old,” and putting on the “new.” The amazing transformation that God’s grace makes in us who have believed upon His Son is depicted in 3:9-10 as putting off “the old self with its practices,” and putting on “the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”

And then, in this same chapter, we have set before us a wonderful depiction of this “new self,” which all who know our Savior have been given. We see this in verses 12-15.

And you will also remember that in verse 16 the Apostle has described how the Church should worship as we are gathered each Lord’s Day. Christ’s “word” should “dwell” in each of us “richly,” and there should be the “singing” of all kinds of music “with thankfulness” in our “hearts” toward our God.

And then, as we arrive at verse 17, Paul will reveal to his readers what is, perhaps, the most important rule for believers in Christ to live by. In this one simple verse, we discover the key test to apply to every situation, to every word and thought, and to every action we might engage in.

He says: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

What a joy it will be to explore this verse with you all on Sunday!!

No Sunday School This Week

Just one more reminder that there is no Sunday School this week. We will resume on Sunday January 6 at 9:15 AM.

Beginning on that Sunday, we will be offering a new class for Adults. It’s entitled “The Church: Present and Future.” We will be exploring some very important themes in our theology that have to do with the Church here and now, and the Church in the future.

Topics will include:

The Church Present—

The Sacraments of the Church: Understanding Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

The Government of the Church: Understanding Church Leadership

The World and the Church: Understanding the Relationship Between the Church and Culture

The Church Future—

The Church and Israel: How is the Church Related to Israel, and How Does Present Day Israel Figure into the End Times Prophecies of Scripture?

The Church and the Intermediate State: What Happens Between Death and the Second Coming?

The Church and Heaven: What Will Heaven Really Be Like?

Have most blessed weekend, and remember my love and constant prayers for you all!

Mike