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Colossians 1:3-6 (NASB)
3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints;
5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel
6 which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth;

Introduction:

Twelve Common Reasons for Thanksgiving

1. Our daily provisions in life – food, drink and other basic needs (Matthew 6:11, 25-32; Acts 14:17)
2. Life itself – our breath and all things; the proper functioning of our bodies (Acts 17:25, 28)
3. Family – wife, children, other loved ones (Proverbs 18:22; 19:14; Psalm 127:3; cf. 1 Timothy 5:5)
4. Ability to work and provide for ourselves and our families (Deuteronomy 8:18; Proverbs 10:22)
5. Encouraging test results – doctor report on your health, professor grade on a major assignment, mechanic reporting on your car (Proverbs 12:25)
6. Freedoms we enjoy in America – religion, speech, bear arms, own property and personal possessions
7. Time for rest and relaxation (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4)
8. Homes to live in and cars to drive (1 Timothy 6:17)
9. A generous gift at a time of great need (Philippians 4:16-18)
10. Access to life saving medical attention and restoration to health (Philippians 2:26-27; James 5:14-15)
11. Opportunity for formal education
12. Doing well in a fine arts (music performance, dance recital, drama) or in a sporting event

Theme: Three vital aspects of thanksgiving so we will properly respond to the God from Whom all things come

I. Our thanks is directed to God vs. 3a

II. Our primary reason to give thanks is the Gospel vv. 4-6

Three responses to the gospel

A. Faith in Christ Jesus vs. 4
B. Love for Christians vs. 4
C. Hope in Heaven vs. 5

III. Our primary means to express thanks is prayer vs. 3b

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Sermon20111030

The church is built up directly by the

Lord

Matthew 16:18
18 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

Acts 9:31
31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.

Acts 16:5
5 So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.

Colossians 2:6-7
6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

1 Peter 2:5
5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

The church is built up indirectly through its

Leaders

1 Corinthians 3:9-15
9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Ephesians 4:11-12
11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

The church is built up continuously by

your ministry

Ephesians 4:16
16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

1 Corinthians 12:7; 14:5, 12, 26
7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

14:5
5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.

14:12
12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.

14:26
26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

Romans 12:4-8
4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Theme : Three duties through which the church glorifies God so you will commit yourself to its up building.

Outline:
I. Exalting God
Worshiping
II. Edifying the saints
Instructing
III. Evangelizing the lost
Reaching

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This week Associate Pastor, Chris Grazor investigates Paul’s guidence to the Colossians.

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