Gregory C. Magruder       Parkview Baptist       Gainesville, FL      06/03/12

 

“Christ with You”     

Colossians 4:2-18     

 

INTRODUCTION: You are in Christ. Christ is in you. Christ is with you in all your circumstances and activities and decisions. Paul experienced trials, but he was not alone. Paul knew the comfort of Christ, the comfort of Christ with him. If you are in Christ and Christ is in you, Jesus Christ will make himself clearly known to you. Christ will be with you. Colossians 4 shows how Christ can be with us.

 

JESUS CHRIST REVEALS HIS PRESENCE THROUGH PRAYER (4:2-3).

 

*Prayerunlocks doors and reveals the closeness of Christ. Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains (4:2-3).

 

Christ is with you in prayer.

JESUS CHRIST DEMONSTRATES HIS POWER THROUGH PROCLAMATION (4:3-6).

*Jesus Christ becomes real to you when you see him change others. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone (4:4-6).

Christ is with you in witness.

JESUS CHRIST SHOWS HIS CARE THROUGH CHRISTIANCOMMUNITY (4:7-18).

*Relationships in Christ are the medicine of the soul. Paul said of his friends, “they have proved a comfort to me” (4:11). Christianity is individual. Christianity is communal. We need each other.

Christ is with you in Christian relationships.

 Gregory C. Magruder       Parkview Baptist       Gainesville, FL      05/27/12

 

“Christ Through You: The Earthly Practice”     

Colossians 3:17 – 4:6     

 

INTRODUCTION: In Colossians, Paul teaches that you are in Christ and Christ is in you. This means that each believer is to put off the old habits and put on the new life in Christ. God’s Spirit empowers the believer to make the right choices in life. The believer walks in peace, lets the Word of God take root in his life, and does everything in the name of and for the honor of Jesus Christ. Your willingness to follow Christ determines the effectiveness of your Christian relationships.

 

CHRIST IS CENTRAL TO CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIPS.

 

*The principle for Christian living and the home: And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Col. 3:17).

 

*The unique contribution of Christianity to the family is the presence of Jesus Christ in the home (Col. 3:18, 20, 22, 23; 4:1).

 

*Jesus Christ must be first place in your life and relationships.

 

OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST BUILDS A HEALTHY HOME.

 

*Jesus Christ is the head of the home. The passage has two principles of interpretation:

• Focus on Christ not self
• Focus on responsibilities not rights

 

*The practice of obedience to Christ in the home looks like this:

• Wives practice loyalty: Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord ( Col. 3:18).
• Husbands love their wives: Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them (Col. 3:19).
• Children obey their parents: Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord ( Col. 3:20).
• Fathers (parents) do not over-correct their children:
• Slaves (workers) work hard and please Christ: Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.  Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism ( Col. 3:23-25).
• Masters (employers) treat their servants with dignity: Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven (Col. 4:1).

The Christian home works when the proper focus is on Christ.

Christian relationships work when the focus on Christ is primary.

HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS MAKE A SOLID WITNESS.

*Wholesome relationships in the home and on the job lead to an effective witness outside the home. Your witness should be marked by:

• Prayer
• Wisdom
• Graceful speech

 

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone ( Col. 4:2-6).

 

Two goals:

• Get your home in order
• Be ready to give a reason for the difference

 

Are you ready to give Christ first place in your relationships?

 

 Gregory C. Magruder       Parkview Baptist       Gainesville, FL      05/20/12

 

“Christ Through You: Your Position in Christ”     

Colossians 3:1 – 17     

 

INTRODUCTION: Paul has taken great measures to make sure the Colossians do not fall into legalism or license. He has warned them that asceticism and hedonism are false paths that lead to a false sense of spiritual security. But if Christianity is not “do not handle, do not touch” (Col. 2:21), then how are Christians to live? If Christianity is not rules and rituals (Col. 2:16-18), then what is it? Paul presents a very clear message: your position in Christ determines your practice in daily living.

 

YOUR REAL LIFE IS POSITIONED WITH CHRIST IN GOD.

 

*Jesus Christ has ascended on high and sits exalted on the throne of God.

 

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God (3:1).

 

 *You are in Christ (position) and Christ lives within you (possession).

 

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory (3:3-4).

 

*You draw your spiritual life from Christ not from this world.

 

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (3:2).

 

YOU HAVE A REAL CHOICE TO PUT OFF THE OLD LIFE.

 

*You have the option to live for Christ or to continue to live for self.

 

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew,circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all (3:10-11).

 

*You must live like you are dead to the worldly practices. You must put off the old habits like you take off dirty worn out clothes.

 

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips (3:5-8).

 

YOU HAVE THE POWER TO PUT ON THE NEW LIFE.

 

*You have the power to choose to do what is right and good:

 

• Compassion -Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience(12).
• Forgiveness - Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you (13).
• Love - And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity (14).
• Peace & Gratitude - Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful (15).
• Worship - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God (16). 
• Service - And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (17).

 

You are in Christ. Christ is in you. You have the power to live like Christ every day. What kind of clothes do you put on when you get up in the morning, the old clothes or the new clothes?

 

 

 Gregory C. Magruder       Parkview Baptist       Gainesville, FL      05/13/12

 

“Christ for You”     

Colossians 2:6 – 23   

 

INTRODUCTION: Unconditional love. That is the description of a mother’s love. She cares for you and looks after you even when you do not expect it or even think about it. Moms care. They give everything for their children. The Apostle Paul also cared for the churches under his supervision. He hovered over them like the helicopter parents of today making sure that they were safe from all harm and threats. He wanted them to know that Jesus Christ cared for them so much that he gave his life for them. Jesus Christ gave everything for you and me.

 

YOU HAVE FAITH IN CHRIST (2:6-7).

 

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him,  rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness (6-7).

 

*Faith receives eternal salvation and daily strength through Christ.

 

YOU HAVE FULLNESS IN CHRIST (2:8-12).

 

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead (8-12).

 

*Jesus plus nothing equals everything.

 

*You are complete in Christ. You can draw upon all authority, all fullness, and all power through Christ.

 

YOU HAVE FORGIVENESS IN CHRIST (2:13-15).

 

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your

sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross (13-15).

 

*Christ’s death on the cross guarantees that

• you are spiritually alive, not dead
• you are forgiven, not guilty
• you are victorious, not defeated

 

YOU HAVE FITNESS IN CHRIST (2:16-23).

 

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

 

 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”?  These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

 

*Are you spiritually fit or unfit? The choice is between

• true spirituality (no condemnation) or false spirituality (judgment)
• true religion (freedom) or counterfeit religion (regulations)
• Spirit (internal) or Law (external)

 

You have everything you need in Christ Jesus. He gave everything for you and me. You have strength for today and hope for tomorrow. Are you drawing your support from Christ or from something else?

 Gregory C. Magruder       Parkview Baptist       Gainesville, FL      05/06/12

 

“Christ in You”     

Colossians 1:24 – 2:5  

 

INTRODUCTION:  I love a good mystery. Whether it is an Agatha Christie novel or a good whodunit movie, a good mystery challenges us to solve the hidden secret. Paul knew that the Colossian Christians were being told by some false teachers that they could learn the secrets of spiritual living if they would only adopt certain bodily disciplines and secret rituals. Paul let the Colossians in on a secret – they already knew the answer to a mystery that had been hidden since the beginning of time. God has already provided the way for you to know him.

 

THE MYSTERY OF THE AGES HAS BEEN REVEALED.

 

*The term mystery in the New Testament means a secret that has now been disclosed. Mystery religions kept their secrets for the select few. God sent his Son Jesus Christ for everyone to know: the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.  To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:26-27).

 

*When Jesus Christ lives within us, we can personally know God and have a relationship with him. My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:2-3).

 

What does it mean to have “Christ in you?”

 

IT MEANS WE HAVE STRENGTH FOR TODAY.

 

*Jesus told a religious leader that we need to be born spiritually.Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit” (John 3:5).

 

*The Lord Jesus lives inside us by his Spirit and gives us power to live each day. God has chosen to make known... this mystery, which is

 Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:-27).

 

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior?

 

IT MEANS WE HAVE HOPE FOR TOMORROW.

 

*We have hope. Christ in us is the deposit, the down payment of what we will experience in eternity. Christ gives us a reason to live now and the promise of a future life with God in eternity. Christ in you, the hope of glory” ( Col. 1:-27).

 

*We have glory. Glory is experiencing what you were designed to be. It is the ultimate state of being and existence and will culminate in the presence of God.  God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory ( Col. 1:-27).

 

We fulfill our destiny when Christ lives within us. Our glory is to be used for God’s purposes in this world.

 

Do you have strength for today and hope for tomorrow? Jesus Christ has given everything so that you can have abundant life. 

 Gregory C. Magruder       Parkview Baptist       Gainesville, FL      04/29/12

 

“Christ over You”     

Colossians 1:15 – 23  

 

INTRODUCTION:  Paul warned the Colossians that there was danger in the church. A new view of Christ was being taught. The church needed to be aware of the threat. Paul presents a positive approach to these people he has never met. He knew that if he presented the proper view of Christ, the wrong view would evaporate.  God has arranged the universe so that Jesus Christ might have first place in everything, especially you and me. You can find everything you need in Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:15-23 expresses this truth especially the key verses 18-19 which reveal that Christ is Supreme.

 

YOU CAN FIND EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GOD IN THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST (15-18).

 

• Jesus is the Creator – “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him” (15-16).
• Jesus is the Sustainer of the Universe – “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (17).
• Jesus is the Head of the Body, the Church – “And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy” (18).

 

YOU CAN FIND EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR SALVATION IN THE WORK OF JESUS CHRIST (19-23).

 

• Jesus is the fullness of God – “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him” (19).
• We were separated from God by our sin - Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior (21).
• Christ’s work alone is sufficient for our salvation -For God

was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross...But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation (19-22).

 

*We are reconciled to God through Christ’s death on the cross.

 

*We have peace with God through Christ’s blood.

 

*We are now holy, guilt-free and spotless before God.

 

You can find everything you need in Jesus Christ.

 

Does he have first place in your life?

 

Have you trusted him for salvation?

 

 Gregory C. Magruder       Parkview Baptist       Gainesville, FL      04/22/12

 

“A Prayer of Thanksgiving”      Colossians 1:9-14

 

INTRODUCTION:  We often look around us and fret and worry. The apostle Paul saw danger and prayed. Paul was encouraged by the new church at Colosse but he saw some danger signs. The threat of heresy loomed. New teachings were making their way into the church that contradicted the gospel of Christ. Paul knew how to pray effectively for the new believers. Effective prayer requires true knowledge of who you are in Christ. You are “in Christ.” Grasp that truth and you can pray with power. Latch on to the reality of what Christ has done for you and you will never again live a defeated life. Paul prayed three things in Colossians 1:9-14 that make for effective prayer for all of us.

 

PRAY FOR SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING.

 

*Ask for true knowledge: For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding (9).

 

*Know the traits of being “in Christ”: giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,  in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (12-14).

 

PRAY FOR A LIFE THAT PLEASES GOD.

 

*Excellent character exalts Christ. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God (10).

 

PRAY FOR THE POWER OF GOD’S STRENGTH.

 

*God’s resources give us the power to overcome life’s struggles: being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully

 giving thanks to the Father (11-12).

 Gregory C. Magruder       Parkview Baptist       Gainesville, FL      04/15/12

 

“A Reason to Give Thanks”

Colossians 1:1-8

 

INTRODUCTION:  Who are you? Paul answers that question in his letter to the Colossians. He wrote to “the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse” (Col. 1:2). This is the theme of the Book of Colossians. There are no little people and there are no little places. Colosse was a town that had seen its glory days. It was declining, provincial, settled and decaying. Into this town comes the gospel of Jesus Christ and suddenly a cultural backwater becomes the haven of Heaven. No matter what locality, no matter what situation, no matter what influences of environment, God’s people are “in Christ” and that makes all the difference. That is the theme of Colossians: IN CHRIST. Who are you? You are “in Christ.” Therefore, Paul had a reason to give thanks! The gospel of Jesus Christ always gives you a reason to give thanks. Look at Colossians 1:1-8. You can give thanks for…

 

THE FAITH YOU HAVE IN CHRIST JESUS (1:3-4).

 

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus (3-4).

 

THE LOVE YOU HAVE FOR THE SAINTS ((1:4, 8).

 

[We] have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints... You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit (1:4, 8).

 

THE HOPE LAID UP FOR YOU IN HEAVEN (1:5).

 

[The] faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth (1:5).

 

CONCLUSION:

 FAITH, HOPE, & LOVE – A REASON TO GIVE THANKS.

Who Are You? In Christ – A Study of Colossians

Introduction (1:1-14)

     A. A Reason to Be Thankful (1:1-8)

     B. A Prayer of Thanksgiving (1:9-14)

Christ over You (1:15-22)

Christ in You (1:23-2:5)

Christ for You (2:6-2:23)

Christ through You (3:1-4:6)

    A. The Heavenly Basis (3:1-4)

    B. The Earthly Practice (3:5-4:6)

Christ with You (4:7-18)

 

 Gregory C. Magruder       Parkview Baptist       Gainesville, FL      04/08/12

 

“Simple Faith Rewarded”

Luke 23:38-43

 

INTRODUCTION:  Death is a mystery. It haunts those who do not know what lies beyond. Jesus promises life after death to all who believe in him. That is an amazing promise and demands our attention. Jesus gave a promise to the dying thief and he gives that promise to all who believe in him at death: “Today, you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). The mystery of Easter is how an instrument of death – the Cross – becomes a symbol of life. The wonder of Easter is how a chamber of death – the Tomb – becomes a symbol of hope. Faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ takes the sting out of death and gives us meaningful hope and peace while we are alive. Hope rises when we exercise simple faith in the living Lord Jesus Christ. The thief on the cross faced certain death but he exercised simple faith in Jesus and found eternal life. Let’s see how his simple faith was rewarded.

 

SIMPLE FAITH RECOGNIZES RIGHT FROM WRONG.

 

*We all have a basic morality that guides us. We have an innate sense of right and wrong. There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? (Luke 23:38-40).

 

SIMPLE FAITH RENOUNCES PERSONAL SIN.

 

*All have sinned, but not all are willing to admit their sin. The first step to healing is to admit your need. “We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong” (Luke 23:41).

 

SIMPLEFAITH RECEIVES JESUS AS LORD AND KING.

 

*Only Jesus can forgive sin. Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.  Jesus said, “Father, forgive them,

for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:32-34).

 

*We receive forgiveness when we accept Jesus as the King of life and eternity.Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42).

 

SIMPLE FAITH REQUESTS SALVATION FROM JESUS.

 

*We receive salvation when we ask the Savior to save us. Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:42-43).

 

*Jesus promises

• Immediate life after death; “today.”
• An eternal homeafter death; “paradise.”
• His abidingpresence after death; “you will be with me.”

 

*Jesus can make good on these promises because he has conquered the grave and death. The angel said to the women at the empty tomb:

 

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! (Luke 24:5-6).

 

Jesus Christ is a Risen Savior and he wants to forgive you and save you today.

 

Have you placed your faith and trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior?

 

You can experience forgiveness of your sins, know the power of his resurrection in your life today, and have hope for your future.

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 Gregory C. Magruder       Parkview Baptist       Gainesville, FL      03/25/12

 

“Removal”

2 Chronicles 36: 1 – 23

 

INTRODUCTION:  The writer of Chronicles wrote to people who were in exile. The nation wanted some answers about their situation and their God. Why had they been removed from the land, the Temple destroyed, and their kings deported? Was God still in control? Was their hope for the future? We ask similar questions. Why do we have trouble and difficulties? Why does God remove us from our comfort zones and take away our props? Chronicles closes with an attempt to answer these questions that all of us face. God’s purposes prevail even if our circumstances change. Chronicles says that sometimes…

 

GOD REMOVES US AS AN ACT OF RETRIBUTION.

 

*The last four kings of Judah were deported to either Egypt or Babylon. The articles of the Temple were removed and the Temple and walls of Jerusalem destroyed. God handed all of them over to Nebuchadnezzar. He carried to Babylon all the articles from the temple of God, both large and small, and the treasures of the LORD’s temple and the treasures of the king and his officials. They set fire to God’s temple and broke down the wall of Jerusalem; they burned all the palaces and destroyed everything of value there. He carried into exile to Babylon the remnant, who escaped from the sword, and they became servants to him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power (2 Chron. 36:17-20).

 

*The author sees the removal as an act of retributive justice. The people refused to heed God’s calls for obedience. The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. But they mocked God’s messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the LORD was aroused against his people and there was no remedy (36:15-16).

 

*We can rebel only so long before we face the consequences. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows (Galatians 6:7).

 

GOD REMOVES US SO WE CAN REST.

 

*The nation had neglected the seven year Sabbaths and the Year of Jubilee. God removed the nation so the land could have its rest. The land enjoyed its sabbath rests; all the time of its desolation it rested, until the seventy years were completed in fulfillment of the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah (36:21).

 

*We need to take regular time for rest, recovery and reflection. Sabbath worship is a weekly cycle for rest and refreshment. “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you.  Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work...” (Deut. 5:12-14).

 

GOD REMOVES US FOR OUR RESTORATION.

 

*God’spurposes prevail and his goal is to draw us closer to him. In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing:  “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “‘The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Anyone of his people among you—may the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up’” (36:22-23).

 

*God is sovereign and good, therefore, faith in him gives us hope. The prophet Jeremiah watched the destruction of Jerusalem and wrote:

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:  Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

 I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him” (Lamentations 3:19-24).

 

Our theme for Easter is Hope Rising. As you place your faith and trust in the Resurrected Savior Jesus Christ you can experience new hope no matter what your circumstance. Have you placed your faith in him?