Colossians 4:2-18

Paul concludes his letter to the Colossians by doing 2 things
First, he instructs them to pray evangelistically
Second, he sends greetings and makes mention of valued fellow ministers

Praying Evangelistically
1. Pray for clear opportunities (Pray for Open Doors, vs. 2-3)
2. Pray for clear proclaimation (v. 4)
3. Pray for clear path (don't build walls between us and unbelievers, v. 5)
4. Pray for clear answers (knowing how to answer, v. 6) *1 Peter 3:15

12 Mentioned Ministers
1. Paul- The one writing the letter from prison
2. Timothy- With Paul as he wrote
3. Tychicus- Delivering the letter and a) dear brother b) faithful minister c) fellow servant
4. Onesimus- Former slave of Philemon, convert, likely delivering 'Philemon'
5. Aristarchus- Acts 20:4, 27:2, fellow prisoner and laborer
6. Mark- John Mark, Nephew of Barnabas, writer of the Gospel of Mark, restored relationship w/Paul
7. Jesus, called Justus- Along with Aristarchus & John Mark, the only Jews with Paul
8. Epaphras- Likely founder of the Colossian Church, praying & ministering for the church
9. Luke- Dear friend and doctor
10. Demas- Later deserted (Phil. 1:24, 2 Tim. 4:10)
11. Nympha- Possibly a woman, house church host
12. Archippus- Commissioned by Paul to complete God given work

*Some speculate that Aristarchus & Epaphras voluntarily took turns serving Paul's prison time with him. The word prisoner literally mean 'captive' as in war.
*It is likely that Paul's right hand was chained to a guard's left hand as he signed his name

Luke 8:1-21

Luke 8:1-3

What professions did Jesus have while on earth?
1. He was a carpenter (Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3)
2. He became a travelling evangelist (Luke 8:1)

What people stayed with Jesus’ throughout His ministry?
1. The Disciples were Jesus’ protégés
2. The Woman supported Jesus ministry (Luke 8:3, 24:10, Acts 1:14)

Luke 8:4-10

Why did Jesus tell so many agricultural stories?
1. Jesus’ messages were relevant to his audience
2. Jesus’ messages used lots of illustration

Why did Jesus use parables to spread His message?
1. Jesus wanted the truth to be sought after
2. Jesus didn’t want to reward the wicked

Luke 8:11-15

What do the symbols in the parable represent?
1. The farmer is Jesus
2. The seed is the word of God

What do the 4 outcomes represent?
1. You can listen with a Hard Heart
2. You can listen with a Shallow Heart
3. You can listen with a Worldly Heart
4. You can listen with a Good Heart

Luke 8:16-21

What lessons does Jesus teach from this parable?
1. It is now our job to spread the word of God
2. We must focus on our attitude when listening
3. There’s no status quo in regards to discipleship
4. Those with a good heart toward God’s Word are His true Family

Luke 7:36-50

Luke 7:36-39

Why do you think the Pharisee invited Jesus to dinner?
1. He probably wanted to be seen with Jesus
2. He wanted to decide if Jesus was a Prophet

Why did the sinful woman act this way toward Jesus?
1. She probably had heard Jesus’ message
2. She was responding to good news with service

The Pharisee made 2 assumptions about prophets:
1. Prophets have special insight into people’s lives
2. Prophets would not associate with sinners

Luke 7:40-43

What was the point of Jesus’ story/parable?
1. All sins are not equal
2. All sins separate us from God
3. Some people have a greater sense of need
4. Some people have a greater motivation for love

Luke 7:44-50

What was Jesus’ complaint against the Pharisee?
1. He did not have a servant’s heart
2. He did not have a love-relationship with Jesus
3. He actually gave none of these things

How do we increase our sense of need?
1. Consider your moral achievements
2. Consider your mental achievements
3. Consider your physical achievements

How could Jesus forgive sins that He had nothing to do with?
1. All sin is a sin against God
2. This is evidence that Jesus was to be considered as God

Euthanasia

Euthanasia

DEFINITIONS
Passive Euthanasia
The withholding or withdrawing of a life-sustaining treatment, when certain justifiable conditions exist, allowing the patient to die.

Active euthanasia
The intentional and/or direct killing of a human being either by that person (suicide) or by another (assisted suicide).

Voluntary Euthanasia
Occurs whenever a competent patient autonomously requests it.

Non-voluntary Euthanasia
Occurs whenever a person is incapable of forming a judgment or expressing a wish in the matter

Involuntary Euthanasia
Occurs when the person expresses a wish to live but is nevertheless killed or allowed to die.

This creates 6 categories of euthanasia. All 'active' euthanasia is, in my opinion, immoral (I suppose there may be exceptions I'm not aware of). Passive Euthanasia is more of a gray area. I know many godly people who have refused another round of treatments for their terminal illness in exchange for some peaceful last weeks/months with their family. Passive non-voluntary is the most difficult to discern. Passive involuntary certainly seems wrong to me in all cases I can think of.

Passive-Voluntary:
Active-Voluntary:
Passive-Non-Voluntary:
Active-Non-Voluntary:
Passive-Involuntary:
Active-Involuntary:

TWO VIEWS
The traditional view holds that it is always wrong to intentionally (actively) kill an innocent human being, but that given certain circumstances it is permissible to withhold or withdraw treatment and allow (passively) a patient to die.

The radical view denies that there is a morally significant distinction between passive and active euthanasia (defined below) that allows the former and forbids the latter. Accordingly, this view argues that mercy killing, assisted suicide, and the like are permissible.

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES

The Principle of God Given Life
It is God, not man, who has the right to determine the number of one’s days

The Principle of Pure Motive
God is most interested in the motives behind our actions

The Principle of Good-Will
One should act to further the welfare of another and to prevent evil or harm to that person. Beneficence requires me to do something for someone.

The Principle of Non-Harm
One should refrain from inflicting harm (or unduly risking the infliction of harm) on another. Non-Harm requires me to refrain from doing something to someone.

The Principle of Autonomy
A competent person has the right to determine his or her own course of medical action. We have a duty to respect the wishes and desires expressed by a competent decision-maker.

The Principle of Life Preservation
We have a moral duty to protect and preserve human life whenever possible. The burden of proof is always on taking human life, not on sustaining it.

Closing Thoughts on Euthanasia
This issue can be difficult because these principles often confront each other
One can make a wrong decision for the wrong reasons
One can make a right decision for the wrong reasons
One can make a wrong decision for the right reasons
One can make a right decision for the right reasons

Closing Thoughts on suicide
Suicide is a sin against God
Suicide is a selfish decision
A momentary choice to commit to Christ does not guarantee us heaven
A momentary choice to commit suicide does not guarantee us hell
We do not keep our salvation if we consistently and deliberately sin
We do not lose our salvation each time we sin
We do not get re-saved each time we repent

Homosexuality

Homosexuality

Myths & Half-Truths

1. 10% of the American population is homosexual
2. Homosexuality is a healthy lifestyle
3. It is a proven fact that homosexuality is genetic
4. It is impossible for a homosexual to change his/her preference
5. Anyone opposed to homosexuality is homophobic
6. Homosexuals simply want to be left-alone
7. Homosexuality is the worst sin ever invented

Real Statistics

1. Less than 1% of the population is exclusively homosexual
2. Only 1 out of 7 homosexuals has had fewer than 50 partners
3. 79% of male homosexuals have had sex with a stranger
4. 10% of homosexuals are relatively monogamous
5. 60% of homosexuals have had more than 250 partners
6. The average heterosexual male has had 5-9 partners
7. 70% of AIDS patients are homosexual/bisexual
8. 86% of homosexuals use drugs to increase sexual stimulation
9. Homosexuals are 3 times more likely to commit suicide
10. Life expectancy for homosexuals is 33 years fewer

Possible Causes for Homosexuality
1. Biological
2. Environmental
3. Spiritual

*Some claim that if homosexuality is simply a product of genetics, it can not be called a 'sin', but such doesn't follow. We are all born sinners. We all have a tendency toward sinning. We all need to repent from what it is natural for us to do.

Two Kinds of Homosexuals
Those Struggling with Sin
Those Pushing an Agenda

“Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God”

We must consider God’s kindness toward the homosexuals
We must consider God’s sternness toward homosexuality

BIBLICAL TEACHING ON HOMOSEXUALITY

Key Issues:
Relevance of Genesis, Present State of Law, Translation

Genesis 2:18-25
The Lord brought woman to man as a sexual partner
Only a male/female union can produce ‘one flesh’
Sexual activity is only pure in the context of biblical marriage

Genesis 19 (Jude 1:7)
The men of Sodom sought homosexual sex
Lot & the Lord considered their desire wicked
The New Testament affirms this interpretation

Leviticus 18:22, 20:13
Homosexual activity is considered detestable to God
Homosexual activity was punishable by death
These laws were part of the moral law of God

Romans 1:18-32
Homosexual desires are products of mankind’s rebellion
Homosexual activity is unnatural in God’s creative order
God has set up consequences to such sins

1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Timothy 1:9-10
Homosexual offenders are ‘wicked’ and won’t see heaven

Question to Consider
1. Do you joke about homosexuality and/or ridicule homosexuals?
2. What do you think about rallies against homosexuality?
3. What definition of marriage should the government work with?
4. What kind of rights should homosexual couples have?
5. How do you think Jesus treated homosexuals?

Colossians 3:11-4:1

Here there is...

Where? (Raised with Christ, 3:1+11)
--Out of the miry clay
--On Christ the solid rock
--On the great mountain

From the Epistle to Diognetus:
Christians are not distinguished from the rest of humanity by country, language or custom. (They) follow the local customs in dress and food and other aspects of life...they live in their own countries, but only as aliens, they participate in everything as citizens, and endure everything as foreigners. Every foreign country is their fatherland, and every fatherland is foreign In a word, what the soul is to the body, Christians are to the world The soul dwells in the body, but is not of the body; Likewise Christians dwell in the world, but are not of the world...The soul is enclosed in the body, but it holds the body together; and though Christians are detained in the world as if in a prison, they in fact hold the world together

When Biblical principles are applied...
Greek Christians aren't opposed to Jewish Christians
Jewish Christians aren't opposed to Greek Christians

And the same pattern applies to circumcised, uncircumcised, barbarian, scythian, slave & free Christians. These are unified in Jesus, there is no hostility (Ephesians 2:14)

The world will always be at war
But the church should always be at peace

How can we be at peace???
By taking of the old (as in Colossians 3:1-10)
And putting on the new (as in this passage)

1. Compassion
2. Kindness
3. Humility
4. Gentleness
5. Patience
6. Bearing with each other (not being easily offended)
7. Forgiving each other
8. Love (love will lead to the above)

Jesus is the king of the new kingdom and He's called for a cease-fire (15)

Three Purposes of the Church are focused on here...
1. Fellowship, verse 15
2. Discipleship, verse 16
3. Worship (praise), verses 16-17
*Of Rick Warren's purposes, only ministry and evangelism are left out. Why? Perhaps because Paul is dealing with the internal environment of the church. If these 3 purposes are being met, perhaps the remaining 2 flow naturally.

Roles still exist, but without the friction of before
1. Wives- Submit
2. Husbands - Love
3. Children - Obey
4. Fathers - Don't embitter, discourage
5. Slaves - Obey at all times, fully
6. Masters - Provide for

The Father & Son are our model for these relationships

Colossians 3:1-10

2:20-23
--Refers to 'religion', not 'flesh' (2:8)
--Why submit to religious rules?
--Religions & philosophies will perish b/c they are of this world
--They are based on externals
--They are all about restraint

In the movie Contact, some aliens had sent some blueprints to build a space-ship of sorts, but they didn't include a seat-belt. So the cautionary humans added to the blueprint, but when they used the 'ship', the additional restraints busted and proved to be unnecessary. They had good motives, but that doesn't mean it was a good decision. They should have just done it the way the authors intended. Religions are like this insofar as they add to a perfect blueprint.

Paul is making the case that such 'religion' doesn't work, but he knows what does work...

"You have been raised with Christ"
--Religion tries to kill man
--The Gospel creates a new man

The Old self was...
1. Alive to the world
2. Focused on the world
3. Citizen of the world
4. Ruled by satan
5. Targeted by death
6. Try to attack the bad

The New self
1. Alive to Christ
2. Focused on heaven
3. Citizen of heaven
4. Christ is ruling
5. Hidden in Christ
6. Motivated to good

The earthly nature
1. Sexual immorality
2. Impurity
3. Lust
4. Evil Desires
5. Greed
6. Anger
7. Rage
8. Malice
9. Slander
10. Filthy language
11. Lies

It's a mix of positional (past)
and practical (ongoing)

Past
You died (2:20)
You're raised (3:1)
Christ is reigning (3:1)
Old self is taken off (3:9)
New self is put on (3:10)

Present/Ongoing
Paul was compelled to warn them
Let Christ gain control
'Put to deat'
'Rid yourself'
'Being renewed'

Colossians 2:6-23

Imagine a great architect agreed to build you your dream house
Money is not an issue!
He wants to start right away!
But after receiving this great offer...
You don't keep in touch...
You tell him to cut corners...
You want him to work quick...
Etc...

After Receiving Christ
1. Some don’t remain in Him (6)
2. Some don’t let Him penetrate deep enough (7)
3. Some don’t let Him grow tall enough (7)
4. Some don’t grow strong in him (7)
5. Some don’t keep to foundational beliefs (7)
6. Some don’t remain in a state of thanks (7)
7. Some don’t remain free b/c they turn their focus from Christ (8)

Why stay with Christ (why let Him build your life)
1. In Him is the fullness of deity (9)
2. In Him we can experience fullness (10)
3. In Him is power over every authority (10)
4. In Him your sinful nature is defeated (11)
5. In Him you are alive (12-13)
6. In Him you are forgiven (13-14)
7. In Him you can live triumphantly (15)

Beware!!!
1. Can/Can’t Do lists about food (16)
2. Can/Can’t Do lists about drink (16)
3. Can/Can’t Do lists about holidays (16)
4. Can/Can’t Do lists about Sabbath (16)
5. Worship of angels (18)
6. Visions (18)
7. Rules/Regulations of man (20-23)

When was Satan Driven-out/Disarmed/tied/destroyed???

John 12:31
Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.

Who: Satan
What: Driven Out
When: Now (At Jesus' 1st Coming)

Mark 3:27
In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house.

Who: Satan
What: Tied up
When: Was presently happening (At Jesus' 1st Coming)

Colossians 2:15
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Who: All powers and authorities (including satan)
What: Disarmed
When: By the cross (At Jesus' 1st Coming)

Hebrews 2:14
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil

Who: The devil
What: Destroyed
When: By Jesus' death (At Jesus' 1st Coming)

1 John 3:8
He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.

Who: Devil
What: Destroyed
When: When the Son of God appeared (At Jesus' 1st Coming)

Luke 7:18-35

Luke 7:18-23

Why did John send disciples and not go himself?
--He was in prison (matthew 11:2)
Why was John questioning Jesus’ identity?
--How could he still have doubts at this point? I think it just shows the human tendancy to doubt. Jesus wasn't proceeding as anticipated.
Why did Jesus answer the question the way He did?
--He was referring to messianic prophecies
What is meant by verse 23?
--Jesus is the stone that makes men stumble, the rock that makes men fall

Luke 7:24-30

Where did most of Jesus’ followers come from?
--John's listeners
What did John’s ministry entail?
--Preparing the way for the Lord
Why did God send a prophet ahead of Jesus?
--Our hearts always need prepared (prevenient grace)
Why was John called the greatest born of a woman?
--Actually, he was probably called the greatest 'prophet' (kjv) in that he was closest to the kingdom
Why was John called least in the kingdom?
--Because he didn't get to see the kingdom
Why were the people divided in this way?
--Some want God to move, some want to try to move God

Luke 7:31-35

What sets Jesus’ generation apart?
--It was a crucial generation (matthew 23). They were immature children (always doing the opposite)
What was their complaint against John the Baptist?
--He was demon possessed
What was their complaint against Jesus?
--Glutton & drunkard
What do you think is meant by verse 35?
--Check the fruit

Divorce

Marriage, Divorce & Re-Marriage

Biblical Guidelines for Marriage

1. God is the author of marriage
2. God commands husbands/wives to love/serve eachother
3. God’s ideal is: 1 man + 1 woman = 4 Life
4. God speaks against the practice of pre-marital sex
5. God speaks against the practice of homosexuality
6. God speaks against the practice of polygamy
7. God speaks against a believer marrying an unbeliever

Learning to Love to your Spouse

1. Words of Affirmation
2. Quality Time
3. Receiving Gifts
4. Acts of Service
5. Physical Touch

Statistics in America

Statistics regarding marriage/divorce are incredibly complicated
The U.S. Divorce rate has been on a steady decline for the past 20 years
The U.S. Marriage rate has been on a steady decline for the past 20 years

73% of American adults have been married
51% of American adults are currently married
35% of American adults who have been married, have also been divorced
35% of ‘Born-Again’ Christians have been divorced
35% of ‘Non-Born-Again’ Americans have been divorced
40-50% of marriages will end in divorce (if current statistics continue)
03% of American adults are currently ‘separated’

“Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God”
We must consider God’s kindness toward the divorced
We must consider God’s sternness toward divorce

OLD TESTAMENT TEACHING
Genesis 2:24, Deuteronomy 24:1-4, Ezra 10:2-5, Jeremiah 3:1-8, Malachi 2:13-16, Mark 6:18

1. Marriage is defined by God
2. Divorce in a reality in a fallen world
3. Some marriages aren’t recognized by God
4. God handed Israel a certificate of Divorce
5. God hates divorce

JESUS’ TEACHING
Matthew 5:32 Matthew 19:9 Mark 10:11-12 Luke 16:18

6. Sin is present in every divorce
7. Divorce/Re-marriage is not permitted (except when sexual sin was committed)

PAUL’S TEACHING
Romans 7:2-3 1 Corinthians 7:10-15, 26-28, 39 1 Timothy 3:2

8. Death is a valid end to a marriage
9. Divorce is not an option for 2 believers
10. A believer shouldn’t initiate a divorce from an unbeliever
11. A believer shouldn’t stop an unbelieving spouse from initiating a divorce

Hypothetical Situations (Borrowed from thenarrowpath.com)

“Spouse A” (a professing Christian) divorces “Spouse B” without justification and remarries. What should “Spouse A” do, if repentant? Can “Spouse B” remarry?

Spouse A should repent and return to Spouse B if she is still single. By the world's standards, this involves breaking up a current marriage, but in God's eyes, Spouse A and his current wife are not married at all. They are simply committing adultery since there has not been a legitimate divorce. However, if Spouse B has remarried (which she is entitled to once Spouse A has committed adultery), then Spouse A cannot make break-up the legitimate marriage between Spouse B and her new husband. If truly repentant, he is then free, it seems, to marry.

“Spouse A” divorces “Spouse B” without justification. “Spouse A” remains unmarried. Can “Spouse B” remarry?

If spouse A is a professing believer, Spouse B should use the Matthew 18:15-17 principle to establish the actuality of his/her Christianity. If Spouse A does not repent, he/she must be treated like an unbeliever. If an unbeliever seeks a divorce, a believer should allow it. Spouse B is then free to remarry.

“Spouse A” (a professing Christian) divorces “Spouse B” without justification. “Spouse A” remains unmarried and sexually pure. Eventually “Spouse B” remarries. What should “Spouse A” do, if repentant? What should “Spouse B” do?

Spouse A sinned in divorcing Spouse B without valid reason. Thus, in God's eyes, they were still married. Because of this, Spouse B sinned by marrying another man. Spouse B should have used the Matthew 18 principle to establish whether or not Spouse A was a Christian before acting like a divorced person and remarrying. Since Spouse B did not do this, both parties need to repent and hopefully restore there marriage which still exists in God's eyes. This could be a very messy situation, but that's what sin does.

“Spouse A” commits adultery. “Spouse B” divorces “Spouse A” and remarries. “Spouse A” later repents. What must “Spouse A” do? Can “Spouse A” remarry?

Spouse B had a legitimate divorce and a legitimate re-marriage. After repentance, Spouse A seems free to re-marry.

“Spouse A” commits adultery against “Spouse B”. “Spouse B” divorces “Spouse A” and, one month later, “Spouse B” announces engagement to “Spouse C”. Within the year, “Spouse B” marries “Spouse C”.

Spouse B's action is allowable, but not advisable. Spouse B should have been long-suffering like God was toward Israel. Nevertheless, the new marriage is valid in God's eyes.

***In cases of abuse, the Matthew 18 principle should be followed to establish the 'Christianhood' of the abuser. Since extreme abuse is not in line with the life of Christ, a non-repentant abuser must be considered as a pagan. From there, I would interpret abuse as an indicator that this unbeliever does not want to be in the marriage (even if his words indicate he doesn't want a divorce).

Gambling

Gambling and the Risky World of Entertainment

Statistics in America

In 2003, legalized gambling was a $78 Billion industry in the USA

Legal Bookmaking--------------$116.3-----million
Card Rooms--------------------$1.05------billion
Charitable Games and Bingo----$1.9-------billion
Pari-mutuel Wagering----------$3.695-----billion
Indian Casinos------------------$19.40-----billion
Lotteries-----------------------$21.4------billion
Commercial Casinos------------$30.59-----billion

In 2004, casinos made a $29 Billion profit

Definition

Gambling is any activity, motivated by a sinful attitude or desire, which involves risking something of value for the chance of acquiring something of greater value.

Open Forum:
Crossing the Street
Raffles for a Charitable Cause
Seeing a Movie
Betting on races/sports
Being a Farmer
Office Pools
Buying Insurance
Lottery Tickets
Using the Stock Market
Poker/Card Games
Raffles for a Prize
Slot Machines and the like

Gambling in the Bible

The Bible does not directly address the issue of gambling
‘Casting Lots’ in Scripture is quite different from gambling
--It was used to make decisions and/or discern God's will
--It has been unnecessary since Pentecost

Biblical Principles to Keep you from Gambling

Beware of the Following Diseases

1. Thrill-Itus An unhealthy love for danger
2. Pride-Osis An unhealthy view of possessions
3. Comfort-Itus An unhealthy desire for ease
4. Next-Osis An unhealthy dependence on entertainment
5. Fortune-Itus An unhealthy love for money
6. Now-Osis An unhealthy need for instant gratification

So why does the Wesleyan Church teach complete abstinence?
1. Abstaining shows that we protest the social effects of gambling
2. Abstaining provides a clear line
3. Abstaining shows that we know how to submit to authority
4. Abstaining allows us to model what we want our kids to practice
5. Abstaining allows us to use our money for better purposes

Other Areas of Entertainment

Everything is permissible for me—but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me— but I will not be mastered by anything.

***Discuss these issues one at a time in regards to their proper use and then their improper/excessive use
Joking
Reading
Eating
Shopping
Sports/Exercise
Board Games
Card Games
Video Games
Television
Movies
Music
Internet

So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.