Wesley Word – August 24, 2022
To go along with service on: Sunday, August 28th
Experiencing Grace
- Contemporary Song: In Christ Alone
- Traditional Hymn: #451 Be Thou My Vision
Exploring Truth
Colossians 4:2-18
Colossians: In Christ Alone – Wise In Christ
This week we complete our series in Colossians called, “In Christ Alone.”
Throughout this series, we have talked about the sufficiency and the supremacy of Christ. Christ is better than Greek philosophy and Jewish ritual. We are not saved by Christ and anything else; we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
In Christ, we have been transferred into God’s Kingdom. In Christ, we have been reconciled to God. In Christ, we become spiritually mature and complete. In Christ, we have died to our sin and been made alive again. In Christ, we are set free from the bondage of sin. In Christ, we are clothed in love. And, in Christ, we are called to love and serve one another.
As Paul prepares to wrap up, he gives the Colossians a last few words of instruction on how to live in Christ in Colossae which we can use to live in Christ in Muscatine. First, we are to pray for the spread of the Gospel. Second, we are to be wise in the way we act toward outsiders, unbelievers. And, finally, we are to make sure that all of our conversations are filled with grace. All of these have to do with our witness to the world and the spread of the Gospel. We need to take great care of how we live so that others will come to know Christ. We must be wise in Christ.
For extra credit, look at all of the names at the end of Colossians and see how many you recognize or can connect to other books in the New Testament. A good study Bible or an internet search should be able to help you.
New Testament in a Year: https://wesleyonline.org/biblereading/
- August 24 1 Corinthians 15:29-58
- August 25 1 Corinthians 16:1-24
- August 26 2 Corinthians 1:1-11
- August 27 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11
- August 28 2 Corinthians 2:12-17
- August 29 2 Corinthians 3:1-18
- August 30 2 Corinthians 4:1-12
- August 31 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:10
Expressing Love: Family/Mission Activity
My prayer is that God will let you use the prayers of Paul to help transform your prayer life, giving you a greater perspective, and to help reorient your thoughts and affections to be more Gospel-centered and Christ-exalting, thus filled with more grace.
Colossians 4:2 says “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” A simple prayer lifted up every time you encounter a new person in your life can help with keeping every conversation with grace, and we all know at times it is hard to have conversations filled with grace depending on the person and/or the conversation. Devoting yourselves to prayer does not always mean what you think it does. Learn what it means for you, this is the beginning of a beautiful open line of communication with God. His line is always open for you to speak to him.
Here is the simplest of prayers that people of all ages can use, challenge yourself to use this once a day upon meeting someone new, even your checkout person at the store!
Dear God,
Forgive_________________. (Insert what you feel or know you need forgiveness for)
Thank you for_________________. (There is always something to thank God for…your friends, your family, your life.)
Please help____________________. (Ask God to help others!)
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Announcements
- Fall Kick-Off Sunday is this Sunday, August 28. One worship service at 10:00 am followed by a kick-off party at the Wesley Family Life Center. We will have a catered cookout meal, games, and a jump house! Easy desserts are needed. Please contact Jessica at 563-263-1596 or via email jessicahall@wesleyonline.org if you are able to help with set-up, clean-up, or pick-up. We are collecting backpacks for children in the school district. Please bring them on this day.