Wesley Word – July 6, 2022

Carolyn Lemaster   -   July 6, 2022

To go along with service on: Sunday, July 10th

Experiencing Grace

Exploring Truth

Colossians 1:1-14

Colossians: In Christ Alone – Transferred In Christ

This week, we are beginning a new series on the book of Colossians called, “In Christ Alone.” The book of Colossians is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Christians in the city of Colossae, to those in Christ in Colossae.

Colossae was a city in Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey. It was once an important city but by the time of Paul, its importance had declined in favor of nearby Laodicea.

The church was planted by a disciple of Paul named Epaphras from Ephesus. Paul may have never actually visited Colossae but it was still a church under his apostolic authority.

Most of Paul’s letters to churches are written to address and correct an issue or problem within the church. In the Colossian church, the issue was a heresy that Paul needed to stomp out. We will get into specifics of this particular heresy toward the end of Colossians 2 in a couple of weeks. For now, we can summarize it by saying that it was, as are many heresies in history and today, the heresy of “Christ and…” There is always a tendency to add something to salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. There is something within the human heart that resists the necessity and the simplicity of salvation by grace through faith.

In responding to this heresy, we see Paul lifting up the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ, Christ is the best and Christ is enough. Our theme throughout this series in Colossians, which will take us through the rest of summer is: “In Christ Alone.” We will be looking at all the things that are true of us in Christ in the book of Colossians.

This week, we are looking at what Paul says about us being rescued from the kingdom of darkness and transferred to the Kingdom of Light, God’s Kingdom. Wherever we as Christians find ourselves, in Colossae or in Muscatine, we need to love and serve our community and our neighbors. We must also remember that we are in Christ and so we live as citizens of an even greater Kingdom.

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

  • July 6        Acts 24:1-27
  • July 7        Acts 25:1-27
  • July 8        Acts 26:1-32
  • July 9        Acts 27:1-20
  • July 10     Acts 27:21-44
  • July 11     Acts 28:1-31
  • July 12     Romans 1:1-17
  • July 13     Romans 1:18-32

Expressing Love: Family/Mission Activity

Letters like this remind us what a powerful medium letter writing can be. These opening lines of the letter to the Colossians summarize its mission to encourage and reassure the believers in this young congregation. Knowing the slippage, confusion, and temptations young (and all) churches are prone to, Paul sends out this anchor of blessed remembrance and hope to help them hold fast to the promise planted in them.The climax of the “staying” and “growing” power in this little missive is the assurance of forgiveness; the ultimate redemption of all losses. And over everything is the mantle of prayer with which Paul so generously attends to their coverage, building them up and sustaining them there—always thanking God for their faith, hope, and love, “we have not ceased praying for you.”

“Five Finger Prayer”  The thumb reminds you to pray for those that are closest to you, the index finger reminds you to pray for those that point you in the right direction, the next finger reminds us to pray for our leaders as it is the tallest finger, also the finger is in the middle of your hand,  the fourth finger is the ring finger, let it remind you to pray for those who are sick. The next finger is the smallest finger, also called the pinky. The Bible says, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought.” Let the little finger remind you to pray for yourself.

Announcements

  • VBS Swim Night Kick Off – Sunday, July 10,  8:30-10:00 pm at the Muscatine Aquatic Center.  Bring your family and invite a friend!
  • VBS, July 11-14, 5:30-8:00 pm.
  • Music Camp, July 18-22, We are still welcoming campers and volunteers. 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.