Christian Worker (Page 18)
Circumcision Without Hands – Bill Burk
The Book of Colossians serves as treatise on the role Jesus plays as the supreme Savior. In the first chapter, Paul declares the magnificent truths about Jesus’ person. In chapters three and four, he describes the life Christians ought to live if Christ is the exalted Lord. In chapter two, Paul describes the need to defend the gospel against any teaching that would declare Jesus’ salvific work insufficient. In Christ dwells all the fullness (Col 1:19; 2:9), therefore, the Colossians…
Beware! – Troy Spradlin
At the conclusion of a special seminar conducted by a world-renowned detective, a group of cadets eagerly approached the investigator to speak with him. The topic of the seminar had been about anti-counterfeit measures and identifying falsified currency, in which the detective was extremely knowledgeable. Impressed with his insight and erudition, the cadets inquired, “How did you to learn all those different types of counterfeits? There must be thousands of variations!” The detective politely smiled and replied, “I never studied…
So Walk in Him
The world is full of ideas and individuals seeking to deceive us. The Colossian saints were under attack by doctrines which undermined what they knew to be true about Christ. Every generation of Christians faces similar threats. The Devil excels in finding new ways to trap his prey and thus we must be on constant alert (1 Pet. 5:8). The best defense is a good offense. To successfully guard ourselves against what is false, we must be intent on knowing…
Hearts Knit Together – Kevin W. Rhodes
The first century world, like today, challenged Christians morally, doctrinally, and practically. The gospel barely had opportunity to reach people before false teachers, Satan’s lackeys, began sowing doubt and distrust through whatever means available. The Colossians’ doctrinal confusion over the deity of Christ, their relationship to the Mosaical law, and their susceptibility to philosophical sophistry proved this truth all too well. However, Paul confronted these issues forthrightly while making his motives and aims clear to all. Despite not having personally…
Christ in You – Kevin Cauley
God had an eternal purpose to establish the church based on the work and merit of Jesus Christ (Eph. 3:11). He knew that man would sin, sever his relationship with God, and instigate division with other people. So, He devised a plan to pay for all of mankind’s sins, restore their relationship with Him, and foster human unity. This plan was Christ and the church. Paul discusses this in detail in Ephesians chapters two and three. In Colossians 1:24-29 he…
The Hope of the Gospel – John Haffner
The theme of hope holds a prominent place in the New Testament. Unlike how many use the word today, Biblical hope is never doubtful. The Greek term describes confident and joyful anticipation of blessing or reward. This concept is linked numerous times with the identity and role of the Savior. The Lord Jesus Christ is our hope and the anchor of the soul (1 Tim. 1:1; Heb. 6:19-20). As bondservants of Christ let us remember the joy and peace which…
The Preeminent Christ – Neal Pollard
So often, Colossians has been called the epistle that exalts the Christ of the church. These particular verses have been called “the Christ hymn.” Notice how Paul sings His praises in this paragraph of his epistle. How is His preeminence demonstrated? He is the picture of God (15). John, introducing Christ in his gospel, says, “No one has seen God at any time” (John 1:18; cf. 1 John 4:12). People have tried to depict God many times, but from Michelangelo…
A Prayer for Spiritual Growth – Clay Bond
There are people who have grown up in the church of Christ, but who have never grown in the Christ. What I mean by that is that there Christians who have been members of the church of Christ for decades, but they have never grown spiritually. This was the case with those being addressed in Hebrews 5:11-14, they had remained babes in Christ! Most would agree that the writer of Hebrews addressed these comments to people who had been Christians…
The Book of Colossians
The greatest crime ever perpetrated on humanity began in the garden and continues to this day. When Satan approached Eve in the garden, he did so with one purpose–the abduction of her heart. The devil is not sovereign, and thus he cannot force his will upon anyone. He is a master of deception and thrives upon his ability to bamboozle and con humanity into believing his lies. If he can kidnap our minds and steal our loyalty, then he has…
A Word of Thankfulness – Andy Baker
Thankfulness is often a result of what we hear. There is the story of the man who was doing well at a job interview. The interviewer told the man, “You’re a very impressive candidate, but before I offer you the job, I want to know about this five-year gap in your employment here on your resume.” The man said, “Oh, that’s when I went to yale.” The interviewer stood, shook the man’s hand, and said, “I’m thankful to have found…
A Word of Advice for the Church – Ronnie Scherffius
The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings that teach practical and moral lessons. Written by Solomon (Pro. 1:1), it served as instructions to make a son wise and knowledgeable (Pro.1:2, 8; 2:1; 3:1; et al.). Though the book was written as instruction to an individual, there are many proverbs we can apply to the church. Let us note a few to emphasize the importance of laboring in the work of the church. A working church is a…
A Word of Advice for Young People – Trent Kennedy
To the youth in the pew Young people, you must realize that living in sin is an option, but it is not a good option. Some temptations may be greater for youth (2 Tim. 2:22). Many have tried it before coming to their senses (cf. Luke 15:17). Moses, educated in the ways of Egypt and understanding the lifestyle he could have led apart from God, chose to be associated with God and God’s people instead of enjoying “the pleasures of…