Intentional Spiritual Growth: Discuss with Wise Counsel Colossians 3:15-17

Intentional Spiritual Growth: • Discuss with Wise Counsel • Colossians 3:15-17 A Disciple = Life-long learner of Jesus the King

A Disciple = Life-long learner of Jesus the King

Our Bible text today is a structured as a Sandwich: Bread, meat, bread The way it’s supposed to be (Creation): Colossians 3:1-4 NOT the way it’s supposed to be (Fall): Colossians 3:5-11 The Way it’s supposed to be (Redemption): Colossians 3:15-17

The Way it’s supposed to be (and NOT) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

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. Colossians 3:16

admonishone another… = Holistic encouragement (Creation, Fall Redemption Sandwich) to counsel about avoidance or cessation of an improper course of conduct, admonish, warn, instruct Arndt, Danker & Bauer Colossians 3:16

My Lord knows the way through the wilderness All I have to do is follow My Lord knows the way through the wilderness All I have to do is follow Strength for today is mine always And all that I need for tomorrow My Lord knows the way through the wilderness All I have to do is follow

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10

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. Colossians 3:17

Baptism will go here to show us what kind of community God promises to build through us

Sermon Part 2: Interview with Graham Seel To help us better understand how God can use: observe, reflect and discuss A Disciple = Life-long learner of Jesus the King

We did not use all of the following slides but leave them here FYI and use =) A Disciple = Life-long learner of Jesus the King

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:14-15

Further clarity on Kairos time (handout)… Kairosmoments impact us personally, positively or negatively and come with God’s promise to help change our hearts Kairosmomentsinvolve emotions Kairosawareness always overrides chronos awareness. “The time is now!” (Mark 1:15).

Further clarity on the Circle… The Circle is just a “tool.” It’s USELESS if we don’t really know God’s care, love and goodness personally in our hearts. • A Disciple = Life-long learner of Jesus the King

Choose discussion Partners WISELY… People who are: • 1. Really good listeners • HEART, Active listening

Choose discussion Partners WISELY… People who are: • 1. Really good listeners HEART, Active listening • 2. Living out their faith in Jesus with Jesus as King as best they can • Repentance & Belief, Matt 7:24-27, James 2:26

Choose discussion Partners WISELY… People who are: 1. Really good listeners • HEART, Active listening • 2. Living out their faith in Jesus with Jesus as King as best they can • Repentance & Belief, Matt 7:24-27, James 2:26 • 3. Mature and can handle your confession, be it small or large, and share God’s grace and forgiveness with you (Passionate Life)

Choose discussion Partners WISELY… People who are: • 4. Gracious & Courageous & encourage and admonish you live as a life-long learner of Jesus the King • God’s truth in love, Repentance & Belief

Repentance = • A change of mind or purpose • Greek Dictionary • Repentanceis not about judgment, it’s about a (positive) change of the mind that effects our actions, feelings and behaviors. • The Passionate Life, Breen and Kallestad • Disciple = life-long learner of Jesus The King .

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and • pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

But (you) seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. • Matthew 6:33

Reflect on… • The kingdom of God is the world the way God created it to be and intends it to be today. It is the rule of God in the hearts of people and lived out in society.

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good newsof God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:14-15

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaimingthe good newsof God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:14-15 Jesus Good news is Personal NOT Private Proclamation = Public announcement or declaration by a herald

Jesus Good news is Personal NOT Private Proclamation = Public announcement or declaration by a herald Good news = Public good news for all (Jesus good news, not Caesar’s)

Change requires a change of mind. REFLECT on how your feelings trump your thinking and actions and predict your responses. Thinking biblically Feelings Behaviors • Recovery communities name this the three headed dragon Reflect

“Instead of looking back at the event to prevent circumstances from converging in the same way again, we need to look forward to see the growth that we can experience from it. Passionate Life, Breen and Kallestad

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

This is Spiritual… The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5