Rise Up and Pursue
Rise Up Week 5
Gary Moritz
Part of Rise Up—Standing Strong in Times of Uncertainty
May 10, 2020

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Pastor Gary Moritz
pastor@cityunited.church

INTRODUCTION

Jesus rose from the dead, so we can Rise Up and live. The book of Colossians shows us Jesus Christ’s divine characteristics and how we can Rise Up in Him. The Creator, the One from whom all things exist, the all-powerful One, the master of time and space is the head of the church. This infinite eternal and all-powerful being is shown in this epistle to be personal. He is shown to be the One who becomes our life!

“..when you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.” —Colossians 2:12

Our new life in Christ should change our focus, thinking, and actions. Crisis and uncertainty may shake everything on the outside, but Christ can stabilize everything on the inside. We can Rise Up and draw near to God – and if you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you.

In this series, we will learn how to stand strong in times of uncertainty andRise Up in the newness of Christ.

APRIL 12    RISE UP AND LIVE (EASTER)
APRIL 19    RISE UP AND HOPE (COLOSSIANS 1)
APRIL 26    RISE UP AND MATURE (COLOSSIANS 2)
MAY 3       RISE UP AND SEEK (COLOSSIANS 3)
MAY 10      RISE UP AND PURSUE (COLOSSIANS 4)


Additional Resources for the book of Colossians

Text: Colossians 4 (CSB, New Testament)

TODAY’S TAKEAWAY:

WHATEVER GOD PUTS IN FRONT OF YOU, PURSUE IT UNTIL HE’S DONE WITH YOU.

RISE UP WEEK #5:

RISE UP AND PURSUE


I. PURSUE (v 2–6)

A. We must be

(vs 2a, 3–4, 18)

  1. For ourselves and our walk (v 2a)

    “Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk – not as unwise people but as wise-” —Ephesians 5:15

  2. For the opportunities ahead (vs 3–4, 18)

    Ask God for divine appointments and opportunities to show Christ.

    “Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” —Matthew 7:7-8

B. We must be

(v 2b)

  1. On Mission: To

    Disciples

    “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:18b-20

  2. On Purpose: To

    Christ

    “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” —Acts 1:8

C. We must be

(v 2c)

“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:6-7

D. We must be

(vs 5-6)

  1. Pour into people.
  2. Position yourself to platform Christ.

II. PURSUE (vs 7–14)

Paul’s team members show us a beautiful picture. We might all come from different backgrounds, but we can all learn from one another.

A. Tychicus (vs 7–8) - He was a faithful encourager. He models the attitude of “Do whatever needs to be done.”
B. Onesimus (v 9) - He was a faithful and profitable servant. He shows us that our past does not define our future.
C. Aristarchus and Mark (v 10)

  1. Aristarchus - Paul’s companion and co-worker from Thessalonica. He challenges us to weather the storms of ministry and don’t quit.

  2. Mark - Paul’s companion that quit. He shows us that people will drop out, but we need to welcome them back.

D. Justus (v 11) – Paul’s teammate. He shows us that people may not see what you do, but God does. This is the only time he is mentioned.
E. Epaphras (v 12–13) - Paul’s prayer warrior and the Pastor of the church in Colossae. He shows us that we all can pray for our pastor and church.
F. Luke and Demas (v 14)

  1. Luke - Paul’s doctor and friend. Luke shows us that suffering is a part of ministry.

  2. Demas - Paul’s companion. Demas shows us that it is easy to quit when things get hard.

III. PURSUE KINGDOM (vs 16–17)

A. The

(v 16)

“For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.” —Romans 15:4

B. The

(vs 17-18)

“Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people,” —Colossians 3:23

Conclusion:

What are you pursuing for Kingdom impact?

Remember -

WHATEVER GOD PUTS IN FRONT OF YOU, PURSUE IT UNTIL HE’S DONE WITH YOU.

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