Gary Gleans

Now   I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh   I am filling up   what is lacking in Christ's afflictions   for the sake of his body, that is, the church,   of which I became a minister according to   the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.    To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are   the riches of the glory of   this mystery, which is Christ in you,   the hope of glory.    Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that   we may present everyone   mature in Christ.    For this   I toil,   struggling   with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.   Paul describes his ministry in this passage.  His description provides a blueprint for our ministries as well.  These are basic truths that we must keep in mind as we participate in God’s mission to reach the nations.  These prin

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind,   doing evil deeds,   he has now reconciled   in his body of flesh by his death,   in order to present you holy and blameless and   above reproach before him,   if indeed you continue in the faith,   stable and steadfast, not shifting from   the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed   in all creation under heaven,   and of which I, Paul, became a minister.   God is at work in this world and specifically in the lives of every believer.  Because of our lost condition, we could not save ourselves.  Were it not for God’s work, everyone would be lost and under eternal condemnation.  This passage is the testimony of every believer.  It reveals who we were, what God has done about it, and who we have become.   SIN’S WORK AGAINST US: Because of the sin nature with which we were born, every person starts life in a precarious position.  We were alienated from God.  Our sin separates us from God because of His perfect ho

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.     He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.     For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.     And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.     And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.     For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. It is important for us to understand both who Jesus is and what He has done for us.   Jesus saved us, created us, and leads us.  He is God and has revealed the very nature of God to us.  

And so,   from the day we heard,   we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that   you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all   spiritual wisdom and understanding,   so as   to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,   fully pleasing to him:   bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;   being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for   all endurance and patience   with joy;   giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in   the inheritance of the saints in light.   The burning desires of every believer should be to live in a way that is pleasing to God.  This is Paul’s prayer for the church and should be our prayer for one another.  Paul’s prayer provides some key insights into what we should value in our lives as we seek to please God and what a live that is pleasing to God looks like.   PREREQUISITES TO PLEASING GOD: If we desire to live in a way that is pleasing to God, we must first know what God’s w

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.     We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant.     He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. Encouragement is one of the most important gifts we can give or receive.  There is really nothing quite so encouraging as the Gospel.  The blessing that it is to have our s

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.     Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.     I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.     I can do all things through him who strengthens me.     Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.     And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.     Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.     Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.     I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offerin

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.    Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.   The Lord is at hand;   do not be anxious about anything,   but in everything by prayer and supplication   with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.    And   the peace of God,   which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.    Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.    What you have learned and received and heard and seen   in me—practice these things, and   the God of peace will be with you. This passage makes two mentions of one of the most sought-after commodities on the face of the earth: peace.  We have peace with God through faith in the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.  This passage tells those of us who have peace with God

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.     I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.     Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Believers need one another.  The Christian walk is a “team sport,” not and individual competition.  God places us into the body of Christ so we can help one another to become more like Jesus.  We must never be distracted from that ultimate goal and must never be deceived into thinking that we can achieve it alone.  Division seems to be an issue this church is facing.   STAND FIRM IN THE LORD: Because of the hope of resurrection transformation, we should be encouraged to stand firm in our walk with the Lord now.  A secure future should always generate confidence in the present. Another reason Paul gives for standi

Brothers,   join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk   according to the example you have in us.    For   many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you   even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.    Their end is destruction,   their god is their belly, and   they glory in their shame, with   minds set on earthly things.    But   our citizenship is in heaven, and   from it we   await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,   who will transform   our lowly body   to be like his glorious body,   by the power that enables him even   to subject all things to himself.   Life presents us with a variety of alternatives from which we must choose.  Typically, these choices require that we decide between delayed or immediate gratification.  Since that which is immediate always appears to be more certain; it is usually the more popular choice.  Present suffering can easily dissuade us from living for future rewards.  The wise person will choose to live today in ligh