Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Thank you Father God for this day.
Thank you so much for this morning.
Thank you for this morning's service.
Please bless this morning's service.
We receive all the praises and glory.
We give you all the glory this morning.
Thank you and Jesus' name.
Amen.
May your emails be stung by 102.
102 is the title of my soul.
102.
A wonderful saint, Lord, is Jesus my Lord.
A wonderful saint, Lord, is he.
He hideth my soul in the blood of God,
where rivers of pleasure I see.
He hideth my soul in the flood of the rock,
where shadows are dried, bursting red.
He died in the dark, in the depths of his town,
and covered me there with his hand.
And covered me there with his hand.
But, Lord, the Savior is Jesus my Lord.
He taketh my burden away.
He holdeth me up, and I shall not be poor.
He giveth me strength as my name.
He hideth my soul in the blood of the rock,
where shadows are dried, bursting red.
He hideth my blood in the depths of his town,
and covered me there with his hand.
And covered me there with his hand.
With numberless blessings each moment he crowns,
and filled with his fullness he comes.
I sing in my rapture, glory to God,
for such a great keeper has come.
He hideth my soul in the blood of the rock,
where shadows are dried, bursting red.
He hideth my blood in the depths of his town,
and covered me there with his hand.
And covered me there with his hand.
With gold in his brightness, transported by Christ,
to be within clouds of the sun.
His perfect salvation, his wonderful love,
outshroud with the billions on high.
He hideth my soul in the depths of the rock,
where shadows are dried, bursting red.
He hideth my blood in the depths of his town,
and covered me there with his hand.
And covered me there with his hand.
All right, let's have a look at our announcements.
Service time's listed there, up above, Sunday,
10 30 a.m., get it 5 30 p.m. tonight, Thursday's at 7.
We'll be wrapping up First Kings 22,
assuming I can make it to the pulpit,
so I've been a little out of the weather.
I appreciate everybody coming out,
and I know the sickness has kind of been going around,
so I'm definitely feeling better than I was,
but not 100%, but I'm sure, Lord willing,
I'll be here Thursday to finish that up,
so come on out for the conclusion of that.
And then we've got the church-wide soul winning,
salvations, baptisms, and offering totals below that,
as well as the attendance for the month and year.
Happy birthday to everyone celebrating the month of August.
So far, it looks like it's just my daughter, Heather,
so she's got her birthday on the 25th.
You can wish her happy birthday now,
or on the 25th, or thereabouts.
If you wish her now, it might confuse her a little bit,
and she might start asking for cake when we get home,
but we'll explain all that to her.
But anyway, if your birthday is in August,
or your anniversary, and it's not mentioned here,
it's simply because I don't have the information.
Please get that to me if you would like it
for the month of August, or any of the other upcoming months.
Below that, don't forget this Friday,
it came up on us quick, is the game night.
That's going to be 5 to 9 p.m.
Of course, that's a big window,
just to kind of, I know it's a weeknight,
so we're just kind of leaving that pretty wide open
for people that are getting off work and things like that.
If you want to come on by on Friday,
between 5 and 9 p.m., we're going to be here
playing board games.
We're going to have some light refreshments,
veggies, a veggie tray, yes I know,
and a fruit tray, yes I know.
And we'll also have probably some cheese and some salami
for the carnivores among us, which is all of us.
And then we'll have, probably break out the popcorn machine
and some beverages as well.
So come on out, bring your favorite board game,
and please do bring a game if you tend to come,
just because we don't really have a lot.
I'll have a couple, but you might want to put your name on it
and just keep track of it if you do bring one.
But come on out and enjoy that.
Just a good way to kind of get together
and have some fellowship and to do so indoors,
kind of out of the heat.
And also below that, don't forget the 4th anniversary
is coming up on Sunday, September 4th.
That's coming up on us fast as well.
We've got a guest preacher coming out,
Deacon Oliver Gonzalez from Verity Baptist Church
is going to come out and preach for us both services.
The evening service is going to get bumped up
from 5.30 to 3.30.
So we'll have our normal 10.30 a.m.
and then we'll break and we'll have set up real quick
and we'll have a nice potluck lunch.
The church is going to smoke a couple of briskets.
And if you could bring a main side dish and or dessert
to pass, please do so if possible.
And there's a sign-up sheet back there.
If you're planning to bring a dish,
you can go ahead and sign your name
and what it is you intend to bring.
That way everyone can kind of see what's already coming.
And we are kind of counting on that.
So we can all show up and just eat brisket,
but it's going to go fast.
So I guess I could run down to E.G.'s
and get another footlong or something.
But that's kind of what we're counting on.
So anyway, coming out for that.
Again, you don't have to bring a dish,
but if you can, it would be appreciated.
Don't forget on the back,
we started listing the upcoming songs coming up
for the services there.
So you've got this Thursday and also next Sunday,
if these are songs that you want to try to learn
throughout the week so that when you get here,
you're not unfamiliar with them.
There's also a QR code there that you can scan
that would take you to the church's website,
or a website rather, where you can look these songs up,
you can listen to a player, get the tune and all of that,
the lyrics, everything's there for you.
And if you need a hymnal, feel free to take one
out of the seat there in front of you.
By all means, take one.
We've got plenty.
We always get more.
If you need a hymnal to have,
you're welcome to take one and take that home with you.
And also below that,
don't forget the ladies are invited to a baby shower
in honor of Kami Ellingson.
That's going to be Saturday, September 17th, 2 to 5 p.m.
And if you'd like to volunteer to help decorate,
please speak with Mrs. Gardere.
I know she's not here this morning.
I know they're dealing with some sickness in their home as well.
But she's going to be heading out the decorating
and things like that.
So get with her,
and I'm sure she would appreciate any help she can get.
And then also there is an Amazon gift registry,
which can be found, again, by scanning that QR code.
And that'll take you to an Amazon list.
And you don't have to bring anything,
but it's always appreciated.
That's something we like to do for all of our first-time mothers,
just so that they can get off to a good start.
And so that's something to put on your calendars
Ladies.
And then below that, don't forget,
Mexico Monday is tomorrow.
So if anyone's intending on joining Brother Segura,
please speak with myself or him as soon as possible.
That's going to do it for announcements.
We'll go ahead and sing another song.
One day the Lord was a-striving
Lord my year is coming
Then I heard the sins of earth
He said on every day
Doubt and fear and peace
The world came to me
God of peace shall rule me
From hill to land
I'm living on the mountain
Underneath the cloudless skies
I'm drinking at the fountain
That never shall untry
Oh, yes, I will be seen
From the dam
From the mountain
Full supply
For I am dwelling
In the youth of day
Far below the storm
The battle for the world is beating
Sounds the marriage battle
The enemy is standing
Safe and I within
The castle of God's word retreating
How the dead can reach me
Tis beautiful land
I'm living on the mountain
Underneath the cloudless skies
I'm drinking at the fountain
That never shall untry
Oh, yes, I will be seen
From the dam
From the mountain
Full supply
For I am dwelling
In the youth of day
Let the stormy breeze
Destroy their private army
I am safe we shall to you
Rise and divide us then
Here the sun is always shining
Here there's nothing for me
I am safe forever
Into the land
I'm living on the mountain
Underneath the cloudless skies
I'm drinking at the fountain
That never shall untry
Oh, yes, I will be seen
From the dam
From the mountain
Full supply
For I am dwelling
In the youth of day
Here we hear the words of God
I see their contemplation
Here we now his blessing
I see the way they play
I'm dwelling in the spirit
Here I hear the full salvation
I'm living on the mountain
Underneath the cloudless skies
I'm drinking at the fountain
That never shall untry
Oh, yes, I will be seen
From the dam
From the mountain
Full supply
For I am dwelling
In the youth of day
As the plates go around you can follow along with brother Gabriel as he reads from Colossians chapter number one this morning
Colossians chapter number one
Colossians chapter one
Amen, so the title of sermon this morning is God is life
God is life and I want to just start out by
Clarifying what I mean by that because today when you say something like that people might get the wrong idea
Because they've watched too much star wars or something like that
Or they might have been taught that you know God is in everything and
While it's true that God is of course everywhere and present everywhere
That doesn't necessarily mean that he's just some kind of invisible force
That's just moving everything what do I mean by the fact that God is life
Well what I mean by that is the fact that you know one God produced life
All living things came from God because all things came from God
That just proves to us that you know God is life
He is the source of all that lives it says there in Colossians chapter one verse 16
For by him were all things created that are in heaven
And that are in the earth visible and invisible whether they be
Thrones or dominions or principalities or powers all things were
Created by him and for him so God is the one who created
All things all things that are in heaven all things that are in earth all things that can be seen
And cannot be seen even when it comes to things like
Thrones and dominions these principalities these powers
God has created everything obviously that would include everything that
Lives that would include you that would include me that would include every
Animal every creature that there is on this earth God has created everything
So because he is the source of life that just stands
To reason that God is life where does life come from it comes from
God making God the source therefore God is life
And if you would keep something in Colossians all morning we'll be back in just a minute
But go over to actually just stay where you are right now
I'll just read for you another verse but it says in Acts 17 verse 24
Paul said that God made the worlds and all things that are therein
Seeing that he is the Lord of heaven and earth and that he what dwelleth not in
Temples made with hands neither is worshipped with men's hands as though he needed
Anything seeing he giveth life excuse me saying he giveth
To all life and breath and all things God is the one
That has given all life and has given breath to all things he is
The source of all that lives now obviously this probably isn't a lot of
This isn't news to the people in this room everyone probably understands this
Everyone's read Genesis probably everyone believes this and I'll make some
Application of what this means to us going forward but I want to have a
Make sure we have a very clear understanding that what I'm
By what I mean when I say that God is life I'm not saying that God is just some
You know mystical esoteric being that is just in everything
You know and I've was something that I was taught to me when I was young that just
You know God is just in everything you know and that you know kind of leaves you scratching
Your head what does that even mean okay praise God we have
God that isn't just in everything but you know who is an actual person
Who has a personality who is the source of life is somebody that we can know
And have a relationship with and we can know his mind and he cares
About us God is the source of life God has
Produced life but not only that God is life because of the fact that he provides life
You know we often think about the fact and we'll understand that you know yeah
God all things came from God but sometimes we lose sight of the fact that God
Was also all this time providing for that same life that he created
And he does this day in and day out and not just for
My life and your life but for the life of all living things
It says there in verse 17 of Colossians 1 where you are it says
And he is before all things and by him all things consist
By him all things consist God is the one that's
Holding it all together all the time he is
The source of life he has produced life he has provided life that's what I mean
By God is life if you would go over to Job chapter 12
Again keep something in Colossians keep something there in Colossians 1
But go over to Job chapter 12
God is life because he produced it he's the source of all life
God is life because not only has he produced that life he doesn't just
Leave it to itself to care for itself he actually provides for that life
He sustains it he sustains all that lives
It says in Job chapter 12 verse 7 but ask now the beasts and they shall
Teach thee and the fowls of the air and they shall tell thee
Job chapter 12 verse 8 or speak to the earth and it shall teach thee and the fishes
Of the seas shall declare unto thee who knoweth not in all these
That the hand of the Lord hath wrought this and you know
That's a hypothetical question he's just saying who doesn't know this I mean
Just go speak to the earth just go
Go to the beasts go to the fowls of the air these things
Will teach you that God his hand is in all these things
It's him that has given life to all these things it is him that continues to
Sustain that life and he says who knoweth not in all these
That the hand of the Lord wrought this
And we would say well the atheist the fool who has
Said in his heart there is no God what makes a person a fool for saying such a
Thing the fact that if you would just look around at nature
It's obvious that this just didn't come into existence that nothing
You know this is you know they say oh you just believe in some fairy tale yeah well they believe
That nothing exploded into everything and expanded
Into everything and it's like okay but we believe and we
Admit that what we believe is by faith but I'm telling you atheism and evolution
Is every bit of much of religion as what you believe this morning because
It's something you believe by faith and I
Want to go on and on about that but you know it's funny that he asks that question
And he's kind of like who doesn't get this who doesn't understand
That the hand of the Lord hath wrought this it's him that
Has given life to all these things it says in verse 10 in whose hand
Is the soul of every living thing
God creates life but then he also sustains it he provides for it
It's in his hand that is the breath of every living thing
And of all mankind our breath is in his hand
He's created life he has produced life he provides for that life
He sustains for that life of all living things including man
And we won't take the time to go through Genesis and read how God created everything
I'm sure we all understand that here but if you
Would go over to Ephesians chapter number 1 Ephesians chapter number 1
You know God provides for man
Man himself mankind the Bible says in Matthew chapter 5
Verse 45 he maketh the sun to rise on the evil and
On the good and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust
You know God when he is sustaining life he's not just sustaining the life
Of those that know him and that love him and serve him
He's also sustaining in the lives of those that don't even give him credit for what he does
And has done he sustains even the lives of those
That would mock and in his word he even sustains the life of those that would deny
Him and scoff at him he sustains what
Their life by doing what by sending his sun to rise on the evil
And the good and making his rain to fall on the just and the unjust
You know we're coming in this morning and everyone's talking about the rain rain is a
Big deal around here when it rains we talk about it right
Did you get rain did you get rain I got rain did you get any rain what time did the rain come
How heavy of a rain was it?
It was raining so hard to bring the plants in you know I was worried about getting flooded out
And I say yeah it rained because I woke up and it was wet you know
What time did it come in I don't know I was out of it you know
I don't know where I was going with that it sounded good
Oh I know where I was going with it but here's one thing I noticed is that you know
It rained at my house you know and it didn't just rain on my house
Because it was where the Baptist preacher lives you know it rained
On the neighbor's house and the guy over there and the guy over there and everybody else who
You know probably isn't in church this morning probably hasn't thought about God I'm not saying
That they're necessarily bad people I'm just saying you know they're not the just
They're not justified they're not saved God's still raining you know it sounded
You know it sounded to me like God rained all over this valley
You know and I'm sure there's a lot of people out there that rain came down
And they just thought well that's nice you know people that are just
Everyday taking of God's sustenance taking of what God has provided
And not giving him a second thought you know but God is so good that he
Keeps right on doing it and just keeps right on doing it and sustaining
That life for which he has provided
You know that's what Paul
Tells us in Acts he said that he left himself
He left not himself without witness and that he did good
And gave us rain from heaven in fruitful seasons filling our hearts
With food and gladness and of course this is Paul you know witnessing
To the Gentiles and he's saying look God has not left himself
Without witness you know creation life it's
The fact that God produced it the fact that God provides for it and sustains
It you know that is a witness of God's goodness
That's what Paul's saying he's saying he left not himself without
Witness in that he did good and what was the good
That he did well he helped some little old lady out across the road and put
It up on YouTube for everybody to see no it's that he what gave us
Rain from heaven right he provided for us he gave
Us fruitful seasons he gave us you know orchards
And fields that produce food that provide for us
That do what that fill our hearts with food and gladness
You know that is a testimony of God's
Goodness towards us it is the testimony that God sustains that life
That God provides for the very life which he has produced
And he does that for all mankind as a witness of his own goodness
And he provides even for the beast you know and this is something
That we might not often think about but all the animals you know and I mean
All of them and you know this this really starts to sink in
With just the magnitude of God how big he is how great he is
How powerful he is when you start to consider that he sustains life for not
Just you and me and all mankind but also every living
Creature God is providing for I mean I remember thinking
About that early on in my Christian my life and it was just it was mind-boggling
And even still you know I'll watch some you know some
Video sometimes I'll watch these videos that have this drone footage where it's just these great
Landscapes where you're just seeing just you know the magnificence
Of creation or it's you know you'll see maybe sometimes you know the oceans and you
Look out there you think of how those oceans are just teeming with life just
Full of all kinds of life things that we've never even seen animals
That are gonna be born live and die and never even you know
Come across mankind and yet God cares for them and takes care of them
The Bible says Jesus told us rather
Consider the ravens for they neither sow nor reap which have neither storehouse
Nor barn yet God feedeth them how much better
Are ye than the fowls you know we should never doubt God's care
For us when we consider the fact that God even takes care
Of some bird some stupid pigeon you know
And sometimes I go why the pigeons Lord you know why
Do you care for that that pest right but
He does because that is the nature of God not to just produce
Life but also to provide for that life not to just be the source of all that lives
But also to sustain all that lives
And really what what I kind of want to get
Across or at least give us this thought here is that you know of course there's
That physical life that God is providing for
And we've seen how that is in a way a testimony of
A witness of his goodness and really what God is you know I believe trying to
Get across to man through that is that God is real and he has provided life
But he also wants to give us eternal life you know man
Is going to die eventually all living things die we are under the curse
And we're going to pass away God has not you know his goodness
Extends even beyond the grave where God has promised us
Also eternal life look God produces life he provides for that life
And then he goes a step further and says I'm also going to give you the opportunity to receive
Eternal life and that's not obviously something he extends to the
Animals sorry kids and even some of you adults you know
There's no doggy section in heaven all right let me just break it to you
But God has promised eternal life to us the Bible says in
1 Timothy 1 Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God
According to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus
Look that promise of life is the promise that God will not just sustain
For our physical life but that God has also promised eternal life through Christ
And that's something that he has promised and made available to everybody
To everybody he said
In 1 Timothy 4 therefore we both labor and
Suffer approach because we trust in the living God who is the savior
Of all men especially of those that believe it says that
He's the savior of all men not some you know God is the savior
Of all men he died for all he said in 1 Timothy 2
That he will have all men to be saved to come unto the knowledge of the truth
For there's one mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus who what gave
Himself a ransom for some for the elect for the chosen no for all
Friend for everybody now that's the goodness of God this morning
You know God is life and God has produced
That life God has provided for that life but God has also even gone beyond
That promised eternal life that I will sustain that life even
Beyond your natural years in heaven
He makes that promise and we know
That's true that God has given us this promise of eternal life because of the fact
That he seals us he seals us with that Holy Spirit
Of promise it says there where you are in Ephesians chapter 1 if you look at
Verse 13 it says in whom ye also trusted after that ye heard
The word of the truth the gospel of your salvation in whom
Also after that ye believed you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise
So notice there it's we hear the word of truth which is the gospel
Of our salvation and after that what we believe and when
We have believed the gospel of our salvation what happens we are what sealed
With the Holy Spirit of promise which
Is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession
Unto the praise of his glory don't anyone lie to you and tell you that your
Salvation can be lost that it could be taken away from you if you don't live right
You know and this is an important doctrine to understand
It really warrants its whole sermon because there's so many ministries
Even in this town that are succeeding
Despite the fact that they're preaching a false gospel they're saying hey
You need to clean up your life you got to get off the drugs and get off the street if you want
To make your way to heaven that's works-based salvation folks
The Bible says that you hear the word of the gospel the word of
Our salvation you hear it and then you believe it and that once you've believed
You are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise that's a
Promise that God makes to say hey you're saved I'm going to take you to heaven when you die
Through the shed blood of Christ through no works of your own
You're sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession
It's an earnest that's what the sealing of the Holy Spirit is
It's God's promise to us that you are mine and you will go to
Heaven because you believed the gospel not because you cleaned up
Your life not because you got off drugs not because you quit doing
This or started doing that but because you have believed the gospel
That is the earnest of our inheritance that's what the promise is
And notice you know there in verse 14 it says at the end
Unto the praise of his glory that's why the Bible says that
You know we're saved by grace through faith and that not of ourselves it is the gift of God
Lest any man should what boast and get to heaven
Well I know Jesus died for me but you know I also got off meth
You know I know Jesus died for me but I also kicked the crack pipe
I quit boozing
What I mean that's such vain boasting it's foolish
To even think that someone would stand there and think I had a part in me getting here
Oh what'd you do that was so noble and so worthy
And so great that earns you into getting into heaven
Oh I quit sinning. Oh you quit doing something that even unsaved people
Go their whole life without doing in many cases
Even the unsaved avoid drug use
That's not some ticket into heaven
And people preach this and they preach this and people fall for it
And they're trusting in their own works and they're going to get to heaven
And they're going to say did we not do many wonderful works in thy name and prophesy in thy name
And Jesus is going to say depart from me I never knew you you that work iniquity
And they're saying well wait we cast out devils
We prophesy in thy name and Jesus it's iniquity
Although it's the same works he did when he was on earth but he calls it iniquity because
That's what they're trusting to get themselves into heaven their own righteousnesses
Which are as filthy rags the Bible says that's what they're trusting to get there
I'm not saying you shouldn't do those things
I'm not saying you know if you're struggling with meth or crack or drink
Or anything or sin we should all be getting that stuff out of our life
You know we all have sin to get out of our life but I'm not going to get to heaven
And say well I'm here yes because Jesus died for my sins was buried and rose again
But also you know I cleaned up my life pretty good
I really polished things up after I got saved and that's how I know I'm here
No it's under the praise of his glory
I'm going to get there and just say Jesus paid it all all to him I owe
Sin had left a crimson saint he washed it white as snow
I owe everything to him
It's going to be to his glory that I'm there the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 1
For all the promises of God in him are yea and in him
Amen unto the glory of God by us now he which
Is with us and with you in Christ and hath anointed us is God
Who hath sealed us and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts
Did I have you go to Ephesians 4?
Go to Ephesians 4 if I didn't look that earnest you know anyone who's bought
A house knows what that word earnest means you know like the earnest money
They say I want to make an offer on the house they say well you need to put down
We're going to start you know the process of purchasing a home which is lengthy
There's a lot of paperwork everyone's got to kind of fill out a lot of
People moving parts so we'll go ahead and do that but to know you're serious
To know that you're earnest that you're grave that you mean business you need to
Put down some payment up front before we'll even start the process
And if you back out for a reason other than you know something
Valid we're just going to keep that money and the Bible says that the Holy Spirit
The sealing of the Holy Spirit is our earnest from God
That he which hath begun a good work in us will perform it
On the day of Jesus Christ that he has given us that and we know that we're going to go
To heaven because we have the earnest of the Spirit that's the promise that God has given us
Because God is life
He produces that life he provides for that life he's promised us eternal life
And he says there in Ephesians chapter 4
Look at verse 30 and grieve not the Holy Spirit of God
Whereby ye are sealed under the day of your
Redemption you know
The fact that God is life should just remind us of the
Goodness of God how good he really is to each and every one of us
Even when we aren't
Grateful even when we're maybe bitter or mad or
Backslidden or whatever it is God is still providing for us and God
Still sealed us under the day of that redemption God doesn't say well I don't like the way you're behaving
Anymore I'm just going to take away that earnest no it's there
We're sealed until the day of our redemption it's done that deal is done
And this is the application because God is life because
God has produced our life provided our life you know we ought to make
Our life about God that is the application this morning
I mean isn't that what Ephesians 4 is saying
They're saying there look you're sealed by the Holy Spirit under the day of redemption right?
But what's the first half say and grieve not the Holy Spirit
Whereby you're sealed under the day of redemption
Look because God has provided our life for our life he's produced it he's provided for it and then he's
Promised his eternal life he is sustaining our life and he has sealed us with the
Spirit we ought to take it upon ourselves to not grieve him
And to make our lives about him
Go to Colossians chapter 3 I should have had you keep something there in Colossians
But if I didn't go to Colossians chapter number 3
Look if life is God if God is life
If life is what comes from him and
God is who sustains life and God is the one who has given us
Eternal life and has sealed us we ought to make our lives
About God I mean that's what our lives
Have to be about and I'll make some practical application
Here about what exactly that means but you ought to make
Your life about God you know God should have a pretty you know should be
The number one priority in your life
You know and some people hear that say I don't know about that but we're talking about
The God who has given you life
Who is sustaining your life every day whether you acknowledge him or not
Who has given you and promised you and sealed you with eternal life
Why wouldn't you make your life about him?
That's what's so mind boggling sometimes that's what's so confusing about Christians that
Just don't want anything to do with God I mean they like the salvation bit
And they'll take that and they'll run with that and they're glad they're saved and I'm glad
They're saved and God's glad they're saved but why not make the rest of
Your life about God why not make your life about serving the
One who has saved you you would think it would just be natural
I mean even on earth sometimes when
You know certain cultures when people you know
You might I don't know if this is real anywhere but we've probably all seen it in a movie
Or somewhere where someone will save somebody else's life and say oh no I owe you my life
Now I'm going to serve you until I have an opportunity to pay back
What you did for me that kind of thing is out there
If not at least a make believe
But you know what that actually is exactly what Christ did for us isn't it
That's exactly what God has done for us if we're saved he has spared
Our life from hell and the least we could do
Is say well you know what now I'm just going to serve you because
My life is not my own my life is not my own
And neither is ours any of ours
Look there in Colossians chapter 3 verse 1
Say well that's a pretty tall order that
You're asking us to live up to make your life about God
Make God your life that's the message of the New Testament friend
That's what Paul preached look at verse
1 if then you be risen with Christ seek those things
Which are above where Christ
Sitteth on the right hand of God
That's what we need to make our life about that's what we need to seek in this life
The things which are above set your affection
On things above it says in verse 2 not on things
On the earth and look there's so many things on earth
Especially in the world in the country that we live in and the culture
That we're in that can just take our affections and run
With them there's so many things that could win our affections
Away from Christ
And look it's verse 2 set your affection you need to put it there and keep
It there things that are above my
Life is Christ that's what Paul said
He said I am crucified with Christ yet nevertheless I live yet not
I but Christ that liveth in me
Look at verse 3 for ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ
And God that's a powerful statement
You're all dead
You know we've been the old man has been crucified with Christ
All things have been made new
How does that affect us in our daily
Life how does that affect our ambitions our
Plans our priorities how does that affect us
When God is our life that's what he says in verse 4 when Christ
Who is our life shall appear then shall he also
Appear with him in glory and look that's the
Application that's what Paul's preaching here because God is life
Because your life is hidden with Christ you might as well
Just reckon yourself as dead and set your affection on things which
Are above you know and Christians
They go through life and they're beating their head against the wall and they get in these
Positions sometimes and I'm not saying if you're a Christian you're never gonna have any problems but sometimes
They go through life and they just think to themselves why does my life stink
Why is it just I'm so dissatisfied and discontent
Why is it why does my life stink
Well the smell is you it stinks
Because you're propping up a corpse
When you make your life about the things that are on this earth when you make your life
About just satisfying the flesh that's you just propping up that dead old man
Just dragging him around and you've got this corpse next to you
And you're just trying to you know feed it and give it everything it wants and you go what's
That smell it might be the corpse
That you're dragging around and keep it alive and propping up
And dragging through life I think that's what the smell is that's what's making your life stink
Look at verse five he said mortify therefore your members which are upon
The earth you know what mortify means you know think about the word like
Mortician mortuary right it means kill
You know reckon it dead kill your members upon
The earth mortify them don't let the lusts
Of the flesh rule your life don't make don't set
Your affections you know on just pleasing your flesh because all you're feeding
Is a dead man all you're all you're trying to do is just
Keep that corpse going and all it's going to do is make things
Stink he said fornication
And cleanness inordinate affection evil concupiscence and
Covetousness which is idolatry for which things the sake the wrath
Of god cometh on the children of disobedience in which he also
Walked sometime when he lived in them but now he also put off all
These anger wrath malice blasphemy filthy communication out of your mouth
Lie not one to another seeing you have put off the old man
With his deeds and have
Put on the new man he said in verse 10 which is renewed in the knowledge
After the image of him that created him
You know god has created a new man in salvation
When you got saved there's that new man and that's who you need
To nurture and take care of and that's who we ought
To be lifting up and propping up in our lives not
Dragging around that old man and really what
Paul is getting at is that you know your life is not yours that's basically the
Message here that's what i'm preaching this morning if you keep something there
Just stay in colossians 3 you know god is life right
He's produced it he's provided for it
He's promised eternal life he sustains life he's
Sealed us with the holy spirit of salvation he's given us that new man that's created
In christ jesus and the message is that your
Life is not yours why should i make my life about god because
Your life isn't yours it doesn't belong to you
The bible says in first corinthians chapter 6
What know ye not that your body is the temple of the holy ghost which is in you
Which ye have of god and ye are not
Your own oh who are you to get up and say my life
Isn't mine i mean that's that's what the world preaches out there
Do whatever you want you know live your dreams
Whatever that means you know
You know and i know i've expressed my disdain for that philosophy before of just
You know whatever if you're not happy doing what you're doing then just go do something
That makes you happy you know you know how the fabric
Society would just fall apart if everybody adopted that and it's always coming out of the
Mouth of like some surfer you know or some brazilian jiu jitsu
Professional or something like that it's always coming out of somebody who's got some you know
Talent or ability that allows them to do what they love you never hear a
Crash man saying that just do what you love you never hear the guy
Down at the sewage treatment facility just saying hey man if you're not happy doing what you're doing
Do something else you know
Society would fall apart if
Everyone adopted that philosophy
And look nothing will get done by god's people if they adopt that same philosophy
The work of christ will go undone souls will go
Saved churches will not be established preachers will not be sent out
Families will not be raised for christ things that are supposed to be getting done
For god will go undone if christians if god's people adopt that same
Philosophy well my life's mine i get to do whatever i want no it's not that's not what the bible
Teaches the bible in fact teaches the complete opposite of that philosophy
He said that ye are not your
Own you are bought with a price therefore glorify god in your body
And in your spirit which are gods the bible says that your
Body your spirit are gods they belong to him
Well yeah i know they do now because i'm saved
No they've always been his even these people that know not
God that aren't saved that are out there that are singing against god with that
Body and in their spirit and all these different ways even them they belong to god
They're gods because he produced it
He's the source
And your life is now gods why because he's the one still providing
For it he's still sustaining it and look
Your life never has been yours your life isn't yours
And it never will be yours because he's the one that has
Promised eternal life he's the one that seals it go to colossians chapter 3 look
At verse 18 it says there and he is the
Head of the body the church who is the beginning the first
Born from the dead that in all things he might have the preeminence
Who should have the preeminence not just
In the church but also in our lives it's god god deserves
That place in your life because he's the one
That has provided for your life he's the one that's sustaining
Your life he's the one that has sealed you with the promise of eternal life and purchased you
With the price the precious blood of his own son
God is life Christ is our life
Our life should in turn then be about Christ and look
I'm not saying that this has to get some kind turn this into some kind of
Weird mystical you know elusive
You know meaning what does it mean to make my life it's pretty basic
I mean it's all right in here fulfill the role that god has
Commanded you to fulfill do the things that god has commanded you
To do that's what it means to make to set your affection on things which are above
Where christ sitteth on the right hand of the throne of god that's what it means to
Make god your life is to obey this book to do the things
That he's commanded of us and they're not you know and jesus
Said you know my yoke is easy and my burden is light and the bible
Says that his commandments are not grievous you know it's
Not a it shouldn't be a drudgery to get up in the morning and crack open
You know the the most powerful book ever written
To crack open the word of god to get into it and to read it
And have god speak to you that's not grievous what do you mean
Make god my life read your bible oh i don't know if i could do that
It's a blessing to read the word of god to meditate upon the things of god
Oh memorizing scripture so hard yeah until there's
Some verse that you needed until you find yourself in some situation
Where a bible verse could have been brought to mind that would have brought you comfort
That would have brought you a sense of safety and well-being that would have
Encouraged you and helped you you know then it would be nice but look that's not gonna
Happen unless you take the time to memorize it
These things aren't difficult oh prayer
God tells us to pray how do i make my life about god
Reach your bible pray oh prayer it's
Just so there's no screen involved
You have to actually close your eyes even
There's nothing to touch there's no it doesn't smell like anything
There's nothing to taste yeah but you're communing with the holy god you're coming
Boldly before the throne of grace define help in a time of need
You're making your request known unto god there's a god in heaven that will hear
You
Oh soul winning
Oh go do for somebody the same thing that someone did for you
And god will reward for you for it in heaven
You know these are just some practical things about
Making christ your life god is life so make your life about god
You know wives fulfill the role that god has given you husbands
Fulfill the role that god has given you children fulfill the role that god has given you as
Church members as soul winners as god's people make god your life
Because you know what your life is god's because god is life
Let's go ahead and pray dear lord again thank you for
All the great things you give us lord thank you for the blessings thank you for giving
Us not just our physical life but also eternal life lord i pray you help us
To make our lives about serving you and lord that we would find
The joy in that and serving christ we ask these things in his name amen
All right
We'll be dead
Love in our head
Our joys we know
Join in the song this freedom
And the storm that was rolling
Us around the throne
Where fire sheets is high
We're full we're full sky
Where fire sheets are burned to die
Of the beautiful state of god
Let those free foods succeed
We'll never lose our home
The children of the heavenly king
Let's be their joys of god
We're marching to Zion
Beautiful beautiful sky
We're marching the words to Zion
The beautiful city of God
Let those free foods succeed
Hold us on our heels
We're bound to save the streets
Before we reach the heavenly roof
We're on the golden streets
We're marching to Zion
Beautiful Zion
We're marching the words to Zion
The beautiful city of God
Then let our songs abound
Let every tear we try
We're marching through the menos world
There were clouds of light
To tear the clouds apart
We're marching to Zion
Beautiful beautiful sky
We're marching the words to Zion
The beautiful city of God
Beautiful city of God
. . .
. .
.