Wesley Word – July 13, 2022

Carolyn Lemaster   -   July 13, 2022

To go along with service on: Sunday, July 17th

Experiencing Grace

Exploring Truth

Colossians 1:15-23

Colossians: In Christ Alone – Reconciled In Christ

This week we are continuing with our series in Colossians called, “In Christ Alone.” As we said last week, in the face of the attempts of some to introduce a “Christ and…” heresy into the church, Paul is lifting up the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ.

Our text today really stresses the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ. Most Bible scholars think that Colossians 1:15-20 is a quotation of an ancient hymn about Christ used in the early church.

Christ is the image of the invisible God. Christ is the creator of all things in heaven and on earth, both visible and invisible. Christ holds all things together. Christ suffered, died and rose again. Christ did all of this to reconcile us to the Father through the blood of his cross.

To reconcile is to bring peace or agreement, like reconciling a checkbook. (Do people still do that?) We need to be reconciled to God because Paul says that we are alienated from God and enemies of God because of our sin.

This message of our reconciliation to God through the life, death and resurrection of the supreme and sufficient Son of God, Jesus Christ, is the Gospel that has been preached all over the world for almost 2,000 years.

New Testament in a Year: https://wesleyonline.org/biblereading/

  • July 13 Romans 1:18-32
  • July 14 Romans 2:1-24
  • July 15 Romans 2:25-3:8
  • July 16 Romans 3:9-31
  • July 17 Romans 4:1-12
  • July 18 Romans 4:13-5:5
  • July 19 Romans 5:6-21
  • July 20 Romans 6:1-23

Expressing Love: Family/Mission Activity

A young boy and his family took a trip to the Grand Canyon for the first time. As they entered the parking lot, he couldn’t see much of anything other than trees, bushes, and cars. They parked and walked closer to the canyon, but a crowd was still blocking his view. Finally he wriggled through the legs of fellow travelers, and all of the sudden, there it was, endlessly spread before him in every possible direction. The size was so overwhelming that his eyes felt confused and restless, searching for a way to take it all in, bouncing from one spot to another trying to find one point of focus, like a wobbly kitten chasing a ball that keeps barely escaping capture.

Yet in the midst of feeling so overwhelmed – so small – so insignificant in comparison to what was before him, a strange thing happened. He also felt a huge wave of comfort, joy, and abiding peace. How is it that these two opposite emotions could be present in his mind and heart at the same time?

The young boy was overwhelmed not only by the Grand Canyon, but by the one who created the Grand Canyon.

Share with your friends and family a time when you felt overwhelmed by creation (sunset, mountains, powerful storm, top of skyscraper, etc.). What were some of the things you felt at that time?

Announcements

  • Music Camp, July 18-22 – The camp will conclude with an evening performance on Friday, July 22 at 7:00 pm. It will include handbells, songs from the K-2nd grade group, and the musical Rescue in the Night. All are encouraged to come!
  • Pen Pal Program – an exciting new opportunity here at Wesley. We are starting a pen pal program (yes, old school writing letters) with our sister church in Nairobi, Kenya. Please contact Jessica at jessicahall@wesleyonline.org for more information.
  • Jackson Concert Series presents Josh Duffee’s Big Band – Monday, August 1 at 7:30 pm.  Tickets are not required.