Sunday, September 16, 2007 Sermon Text:Colossians 2:8-15 (New International Version)
[8] See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. [9] For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, [10] and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. [11] In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, [12] having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. [13] When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, [14] having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. [15] And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
What is God showing you this week? Your observations and insights into this passage are welcomed and encouraged.
For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
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The first verse amazingly acknowledges a great concern realized this past Sunday. How is it that we convince our selves that just because we've been doing something someway for years and years that it is somehow scriptural?
Is it biblical for the Church Institution to tithe? Certainly it is biblical for the individuals in the church to tithe. Nowhere can I find a reference that shows me HBC must contribute a combined 10% of its budget to the co-operative program or our association. Our giving to missions as a church body is a noble deed, but not a decreed deed. In Luke 24:47, Jesus instructs us that repentance and forgiveness will be preached in his name, but it will begin in Jerusalem. I guess we can claim that more work needs to be done in Judea and Samaria. How would we know when we've done enough at home, so we could then go else where, support the cooperative program or help start other churches. Well it is not as black and white as that. God calls us to meet him where he is at work. We are also told in Mark 3:25 that “a house divided among itself will not stand”. How can we find unity on this issue? Some may see the need for more work or resources abroad. The steering committee has brought before us a need to be better stewards at home and begin to implement the master plan as growth further dictates a need. Will redirecting funds as outlined by the steering committee have a huge impact on missions, or will it be little noticed since those funds are drawn from such a large pool of other churches? Are we loving our neighbor by giving such a large sum to missions or are we neglecting our neighbor? God give us peace and understanding.
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