The Gospel Grows
The Book of Colossians
January 14, 2024
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ:Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people—
5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.
7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. —Colossians 1:1-8
EUANGELION= GOSPEL OR GOOD NEWS
HOW DOES THE GOSPEL GROW AMONG US?
1.) THE GOSPEL GROUNDS US IN HOPE
5 …the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. —Colossians 1:5-6a
3 In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you. —1 Peter 1:3-4
2.) THE GOSPEL MOTIVATES COMMITTED FAITH
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus… —Colossians 1:3-4a
3.) THE GOSPEL PRODUCES COSTLY LOVE
4 … because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— —Colossians 1:4
2 Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. —1 John 3:2
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. —Romans 15:7
4.) THE GOSPEL TURNS OUR FOCUS OUTWARD
6b In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. —Colossians 1:6b-8
Let’s be a church that always has room for one more.
Let’s be a church that gives generously to Gospel work.
Bless Pottstown = Over $75,000
First Three Years of Gospel Partnership Initiative = $695,000
Connection gives monthly to 37 Missionaries and Organizations
We are committed to giving $102,600 away in 2024
Let’s be a church on mission