It was 4:15am this morning that I woke from a dream. In this dream I was being questioned by someone to confirm I was a pastor. In my dream the person asked me, What are you preaching this week. I was actually interested to see how I was going to respond in the dream because the truth is when I went to bed last night, I had no idea what God wanted me to speak on this morning. But I was relieved because in my dream I very quickly responded that I was preaching on: Christ in you the Hope of Glory.
This passage of Scripture is found in the 1st chapter of Colossians verse 27:
Let’s read the passage together in context:
25 Whereof I (Paul) am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
***This is an incredibly powerful statement made by Paul and in his day is would have been close to blasphemy to make such a claim. Remember that until recent history following the resurrection of Jesus Christ the idea of Gentiles being able to even be in communion with God was very limited. Sure there were cases of Gentiles who where kind to the Jewish people, did business with them, perhaps even celebrated some of the feast but they would never be permitted to serve in the Temple or be considered holy to obtain salvation.
Listen to the exchange Jesus has with the Samaritan woman at the well:
John 4:19-24
King James Version
19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
the Samaritans were a mixed-ancestry people who inhabited the region of Samaria, the former Northern Kingdom of Israel. Their ancestors were Israelites who had intermarried with pagans after the Assyrian exile in 722 BC. Though they worshipped the same God as the Jews and accepted the first five books of the Bible (the Pentateuch), their religious practices differed, and they were considered impure or a lesser sect by many Jews, leading to mutual animosity.
What about this interesting exchange Jesus had with a woman from Cannan. She was not a Jew but was crying out to Jesus for help for her daughter who was vexed with a devil:
Matthew 15:21-28
King James Version
21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.
28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
****Jesus shows us something very powerful here. It if faith that moves the heart and hand of God. This woman came to Jesus looking for help for her daughter and she was not giving up until she got an answer.
Can we praise the Lord for faith filled mothers. Many of you are serving the Lord today because of a mother who was filled with faith and prayed for you, and interceded for you. A mother that said I an not perfect but I serve a perfect God and I am asking bread for my child, my son, my daughter……and God said, great is your faith, go in peace and receive what you are asking for.
***Point #1 of the Message Today: It is your faith in Jesus, not who your family or friends are that moves the heart of God.
Lets go back to Colossians 1 verse 25- 27:
25 Whereof I (Paul) am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
***In this passage of Scripture Paul explains that he has been made a minister by God specifically for the purposes of fulfilling the word of God in ministry to the Gentiles, more specifically in this letter to the Church at Colosse.
Why did Paul take this special effort to highlight his calling and ministry to these individuals. The Holy Spirit prompted me to look into the history of the City of Colossae and this is what I found:
Cities grow as they develop commercial centers that provide jobs for their residents. The ancient city of Colossae was built on a major trade route through the Lycus River Valley in the Roman province of Asia Minor (in the southwest corner of modern-day Turkey). There the Colossians manufactured a beautiful dark red wool cloth (colossinum) for which the city became famous. But Colossae’s importance as a business center diminished significantly around 100 BC, when the neighboring city of Laodicea was founded as an active and commercially aggressive competitor. The two towns, along with neighboring Hierapolis, were destroyed by earthquakes in AD 17 (in the reign of Tiberius) and again in 60 (in the reign of Nero). Rebuilt after each earthquake, Colossae never regained its early prominence, and by 400 the city no longer existed.
The Church in Colossae found themselves in a community that was dying. Like many of the major textile mill towns of Virginia and North Carolina over the past 50 years Colossae once had prosperity but the natural disasters and changing economic trade routes were causing the City’s economy to collapse. This may explain why Paul uses a specific Greek word in verse 25 25 Whereof I (Paul) am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
This word dispensation is the Greek word: Transliteration
oikonomia (Key)
Pronunciation
oy-kon-om-ee'-ah
***When you say this word it sounds like you are saying economy. “E-con-o-me-a”
"the management of a household or of household affairs; specifically, the management, oversight, administration, of others' property; the office of a manager or overseer, stewardship": Luke 16:2-4; hence, the word is transferred by Paul in a theocratic sense to the office (duty) intrusted to him by God (the lord and master) of proclaiming to men the blessings of the gospel. Here in Colossians it had a special meaning in that their economy was collapsing but God was bringing them his true riches.
***The 2nd point of the Message today: God is a personal God and knows how to reach you and meet your individual need.
Many times, the challenges of life today cause us to feel lost in the vast sea of generality. There was a time when everyone had a personal relationship with their primary care physician who would work one on one with you through your physical challenges. Today everything is fragmented and specialized so that you are part of an average or sum of service and not an individual.
Hebrews 4:14-16
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
**I want to remind you about another example individual ministry carried out by God.
Acts 10:1-6
1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
John 1:48
48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
***Point #1 of the Message Today: It is your faith in Jesus, not who your family or friends are that moves the heart of God.
***The 2nd point of the Message today: God is a personal God and knows how to reach you and meet your individual need.
**Back to Colossians 1:26
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
**So what is this “mystery” that has been hidden from ages and generations?
I believe there are several mysteries here Paul is referring to:
**Firstly, the mystery of the plan of salvation by Jesus Death on the Cross and Resurrection, listen to how Paul explains it to the Church at Corinth:
1 Corinthians 2:6-10
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
**Firstly, the mystery of the plan of salvation by Jesus Death on the Cross and Resurrection.
***Secondly, the mystery of the Gentiles becoming partakers with the Jews in the gospel and that they would be in the same church or ekklesia (ἐκκλησία), which means "called out ones" or "assembly"
Hear the words of Christ in John 10
John 10:14-18
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
*** I want to go back to Acts 10 where the Angel of the Lord appeared to Cornilius. Cornilius followed the instructions and sent men to go and find Peter. Peter also had a supernatural vision where God showed him that he should not call people unclean that God has cleansed. Peter goes to Cornilius’ house and takes with him several Jewish believers. Lets pick back up the story in verse 34
Acts 10:34-48
King James Version
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
***The 3rd point of the Message today: God kept his gift of salvation to everyone a secret until Christ resurrection and the Day of Pentecost.
Galatians 4:4-7
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Advent is a Christian season of preparation and waiting for Christmas, beginning on the fourth Sunday before December 25th. Its meaning is rooted in the anticipation of Jesus's birth and his eventual Second Coming, and is often broken down into four themes celebrated each week: hope, peace, joy, and love.
Paul reminds us that Jesus coming was not an accident or a last minute plan change. God had been waiting for the fullness of time in order to maximize the effectiveness of the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the whole world.
Pastor Doug spoke about this several years ago. God sent his son to a world that had the physical and social infrastructure in place to maximize the explosion of the Gospel on the world scene:
- Romans Roads and Civil Peace (Pax Romana)
- Common language: Koine Greek
- Prevalence of synagogues: As Jewish communities moved and settled in various cities across the Roman Empire, synagogues were built to serve their needs, ensuring the continuation of their religious and cultural traditions
***Point #1 of the Message Today: It is your faith in Jesus, not who your family or friends are that moves the heart of God.
***The 2nd point of the Message today: God is a personal God and knows how to reach you and meet your individual need.
***The 3rd point of the Message today: God kept his gift of salvation to everyone a secret until Christ resurrection and the Day of Pentecost.
***In Closing I want to focus on verse 27 of Colossians Chapter 1. Paul has explained to the believers at Colossae they are valued by God. They are loved by God. God has called Paul specifically to minister to them even in the middle of all there social and economic uncertainties. Paul says he is sharing with them the mystery that nobody else knew about for ages and generations that they were to be part of the family of God.
He now says in verse 27 that God wants him to share the best part or the richest part of the mystery………..which is what? Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Read it again but this time in the amplified bible translation:
27 God [in His eternal plan] chose to make known to them how great for the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in and among you, the hope and guarantee of [realizing the] glory.
****Listen, many people would have been happy to just be able to be apart and participate in the worship of God. David said: Psalm 84:10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
***The 4th and Closing point of the Message today: Christ in you, the hope of Glory
This word for hope is not like, I hope something will happen. This is the Greek word: Elpis, it is and expectation by faith
The name of the Greek church here in Hopewell: St. Elpis Greek Orthodox Church
John 14:15-23
King James Version
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
1 Corinthians 6:19
King James Version
19 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?
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
***Point #1 of the Message Today: It is your faith in Jesus, not who your family or friends are that moves the heart of God.
***The 2nd point of the Message today: God is a personal God and knows how to reach you and meet your individual need.
***The 3rd point of the Message today: God kept his gift of salvation to everyone a secret until Christ resurrection and the Day of Pentecost.
***The 4th and Closing point of the Message today: Christ in you the hope of Glory