Pastor's Outlines

     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...

     The Preeminent Christ- 9 TITLE: The Christ-filled Life -Pt. 2 TEXT: Colossians 3:5-11 THESIS:    Because believers have died with Christ (2:11-12) to the old world and have risen with Christ into a new world (3:1, 3-4), they must focus on this new heavenly world (vv. 1-2). On this basis of such a focus, they are to consider themselves dead to participation in the sinful lifestyle of the old world (3:5). One of my favorite church fathers is Augustine. It's because I can relate to his life and conversion. Augustine lived in the 4th and 5th centuries and was initially known for his indulgent, hedonistic lifestyle, pursuing pleasures that were contrary to biblical teachings. In his work "The Confessions," he recounts a pivotal moment when he heard a child's voice say, "Take up and read." This prompted him to pick up the Scriptures, which spoke directly to his heart, leading him to turn away from his old ways and embrace a life dedicated...

     The Preeminent Christ- 8 TITLE: Living the Christ-filled life! TEXT: Colossians 3:1-4 THESIS: Embracing a Christ-filled life compels believers to shift their focus from earthly illusions to the ultimate reality found in Christ, fostering a mindset aligned with spiritual truths that glorify God and cultivate a deep, transformative relationship with Him. TRUTH: In Plato's famous parable, a group of people have lived their entire lives chained inside a cave, facing a wall. Behind them is a fire, and between the fire and the prisoners, people carry objects that cast shadows on the wall. Because this is all they have ever seen, they believe the shadows are reality.   One prisoner is freed. He turns around, sees the fire, and realizes that the shadows are mere illusions, not the actual substance of existence. He is then taken outside the cave. At first, the sunlight hurts his eyes, but gradually he begins to see the real world and ultimately the sun. ...