Sermon Extras

Colossians Introduction: “The Overview Effect”

INTRO> We start the new journey today and I am so excited! This will be the 6th book of the Bible that I have had the privilege of preaching through here at West Side! Today, we start the New Testament book of Colossians! As I was praying how to start this new year and what Jesus would have for us, I couldn’t shake Colossians. When asking the Lord, “What do we as your people need right now?” He gave me Colossians. Why? Let me explain with this: Recently through a book I was reading I learned about something called, “The Overview Effect” The Overview Effect is experienced by astronauts when they go into space and see the Earth. “The overview effect is a cognitive shift in awareness reported by some astronauts during spaceflight, often while viewing the Earth from outer space.” Frank White who has studied an interviewed 29 astronauts who have gone into space and experienced this overview effect “Charlie Duke, a lunar module pilot for Apollo 16, became a Christian after seeing earth from space; Jim Irwin of Apollo 15 became a preacher; Edgar Mitchell formed the Noetic Institute to research altered states of consciousness; and Apollo 9 astronaut Russell Schweickart began transcendental meditation and dedicated himself to voluntary work.” All of these astronauts said in one way shape or forum, I realized how small I was and that there has to be a greater purpose out there. They went from knowing it intellectually to experiencing it. Something change in them with a clear picture of the Earth.

APP> That’s the book of Colossians. The Apostle Paul zooms out and shows us this massive picture of who Jesus is. J.B. Lightfoot said, “The doctrine of the Person of Christ is here stated with greater precision and fulness than in any other of St Paul s epistles.”

Big Idea > A clear view of Jesus Christ will change your life.

Context:

• Author: The Apostle Paul (1:1)
• Date: 60 A.D
• Written From: Rome while in jail, Paul never met them (2:1)
• Written to : Christians living in Colosse (Unimportant city located between Laodica and Hierapolis, destroyed by earth quake)
• Theme of the Letter: 96 verses, “Christ” used 24x, “all” 32x : The theme of the letter is: It’s All About Jesus!

APP> I want to ask a few questions to help us understand what we are getting into with this series.

• What is the goal of this series?
  • “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.” Colossians 1:28-29

APP> The goal of this series is to move us to spiritual maturity *ILL> Krista and Steve Marking the gran kids growing.

APP> I want to look at some marks of Christian maturity but before we do, let’s look at what it’s not.

Spiritual Maturity is not: (help from another pastor on this)

• based on age.
• based on appearance.
• based on achievements.

Marks of Spiritual Maturity:

• A growing trust in Jesus. (1:4a)
• A growing love for people. (1:4b)
• A growing knowledge of Jesus. (1:9)
• A growing service to Jesus. (1:10)

APP> I want you to ask your suppose or those closest to you, “In which of these areas do you see growth in my life?” “In which of these areas do you not see growth in my life?”

2) Why Colossians?

A. To reclaim the supremacy of Jesus. “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.” Colossians 1:18

APP> Supreme- highest in rank, position or authority. Why is this critical for us now? The question is not, “Is Jesus important to you?” The question is, “Is he first in your life?” Budget, planner, time. “Christ is not valued at all, unless he is valued above all.” Augustine.

B. To rest in the sufficiency of Jesus. “For in him all the     fullness of God was pleased to dwell…” Colossians 1:19

APP> Sufficient- enough for a particular purpose; as much as you need There was a false teaching creeping in that we will talk about

APP> Let me sum up the greatest math equation for you- Jesus + nothing = everything

Here is an equation for you: Jesus + ____________ = everything, what do you fill the blank with?

 C. To remember the simplicity of the gospel.  “and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” Colossians 1:20

APP> Don’t make this thing complicated man! The gospel is simple, but it’s not easy.

APP> How am I making it hard for people in my life to see Jesus?

Big Idea > A clear view of Jesus Christ will change your life.

Read Corporately Out-loud

“Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Jesus 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 Jesus and for Jesus. And Jesus is before all things, and in Jesus all things hold together. And Jesus is the head of the body, the church. Jesus is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything Jesus might be preeminent. For in Jesus all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,  and through Jesus to reconcile to Jesus all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of Jesus’ cross.”