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Christ and the Rhythm of Work

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     The Preeminent Christ- 13 TITLE: Christ and the Rhythm of Work TEXT: Colossians 3:22-4:1 THESIS: In Colossians 3:22-4:1, Paul emphasizes the importance of mutual respect and responsibility in the relationships between bondservants and masters, encouraging both parties to act with integrity and sincerity as they serve one another in the context of their identities in Christ.   TRUTH: In the book "The Gospel at Work" by Trager and Gilbert, the authors raise several important questions: Why am I doing this? What is the purpose of my work, and do I want to continue in this role? How does this job affect me as a person? Is it improving my life or making it worse? Ultimately, is it all worth it, and why? These are essential questions, but for Christians, there are even more critical inquiries to consider. Is my work shaping my character in a godly direction? How can I approach my work not just as a means to put food on the table, but as a ...
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Christ and the Rhythm of Family

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          TITLE:     The Preeminent Christ -12   TITLE: Christ and the Rhythm of Family TEXT:   Colossians 3:20-21 THESIS: Have you ever noticed that when kids are small, it’s like trying to conduct an orchestra with a bunch of squirrels? Take a trip to the mall, and suddenly, your little ones think the clothing racks are an amusement park. “Look, Mom! I’m hiding in the middle of this shirt! Then you venture into an antique store, and it’s like releasing tiny tornadoes in a museum—it’s a “please don’t touch anything” free-for-all!   And don’t even get me started on road trips. You’d think we were auditioning for a reality show with the arguments erupting from the backseat. “He touched me!” “No, I didn’t!” “Mom, can you just drive off the road and let me walk?”   And then they hit the teenage years. Ah, sweet rebellion! Now they want to challenge your wisdom like they’re auditioning for a debate clu...
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Christ and the Rhythm of Marriage

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   TITLE : Christ and the Rhythm of Marriage TEXT: Colossians 3:18-19 TRUTH: Before we dive into the topic, it’s important to define marriage from a biblical perspective. Marriage is a covenant partnership designed by God between a man and a woman. Its primary purpose is to reflect the relationship between Christ and the Church.   Aristotle had developed “house codes” that directed a man on how to rule his wife, children, and slaves properly.   This was the tradition of typical Roman values. To the contrary, Paul says a husband is to love his wife, not rule her.   This message has two main objectives. First, to clarify the roles of husbands and wives within the biblical framework. Second, to encourage couples to cultivate a marriage that mirrors Christ’s relationship with His Church.   In this passage, we transition from a summary in verse 17 to specific details in verses 18 to 4:1. The text appears to follow a tripartite st...
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Location: Edmond, OK, USA
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Living the Christ-filled Life - Part 3

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     The Preeminent Christ -10   TITLE: Living the Christ-filled Life TEXT: Colossians 3:12-17 THESIS : Understanding our identity as "Chosen, Holy, and Beloved" in Christ empowers believers to live purposefully and authentically, integrating their faith into every aspect of life through adoration, contemplation, and imitation, ultimately bringing glory to God.   During my high school baseball days, we adhered to strict guidelines that emphasized professionalism and team identity. We were required to be clean-shaven and fully dressed in our uniforms, ensuring that everything was neatly squared away before stepping off the bus. We understood that we were not just representing a team, but also our school and the entire town. This commitment to our appearance and conduct fostered a sense of pride and responsibility, reinforcing the idea that we were ambassadors of our community, both on and off the field.   Even more so, as bel...
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Location: Edmond, OK, USA
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