The Mystery of Salvation in Christ
Colossians Chapter 1 Pastor Melissa Scott, Ph.D.
The word “mystery”, if we understand its Biblical use and more specifically its use by the apostle Paul in the book of Colossians, is not something cryptic that we can’t know or understand; it’s revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ: the mind-boggling thing that we can be saved by something that happened over 2,000 years ago!
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Paul: Made a Minister by God
Colossians Chapter 1 Pastor Melissa Scott, Ph.D.
There is only one ministry in the church, and that is being a servant of God. God is the one who makes men and women into ministers; we do not choose it ourselves, and we are not to judge His choice. Paul suffered afflictions for his association with Christ and the preaching of the Word, but he rejoiced. Suffering is part of the process of being made into a man or woman of God.
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Reconciliation and Presentation Hang on "If"
Colossians Chapter 1 Pastor Melissa Scott, Ph.D.
Because of the fall, we are all born alienated from God, which includes being alienated from the image of God and the knowledge of God. God has to reconcile our conscience, our heart and its affections, and our will in order to bring us back to Him. If we continue in the faith, He will be able to present us holy, unpolluted, and having no guilt attached to us before Him in heaven.
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God Reconciled All Things to Himself
Colossians Chapter 1 Pastor Melissa Scott, Ph.D.
Just as God created all things, He has reconciled all things to Himself. Christ’s sacrifice at the cross made peace, making it possible for us to become friends of God instead of enemies. From that moment on, a change began to occur in those who hear and respond. This change is not merely a disposition of an individual, nor their legal relationship to God, but a total state of his or her life!
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The Fullness of God Dwells in Christ
Colossians Chapter 1 Pastor Melissa Scott, Ph.D.
You can be a Christian and stay at the surface, not recognizing that all the fullness of God dwells in Christ. But learning about Christ in His relation to the Father, to His creation, and to the church helps us to understand what He should mean to all Christians, and why He is supreme. Colossians 1:18-19
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The Church's Reason for Being
Colossians Chapter 1 Pastor Melissa Scott, Ph.D.
The purpose of the church is to spread the message of the gospel and to make learners. We have a record of the disciples proclaiming that message first to Jerusalem, then to Judaea and Samaria, and then to the world. Those who heard it would then go back to their homelands and tell what they heard.
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The Taxonomy of the Church: Christ Is the Head
Colossians Chapter 1 Pastor Melissa Scott, Ph.D.
Christ is the head of the church, and this church exists for His purposes, not to be what people think it should be. It exists to make learners who will grow in Christ and build up the body of the church. VF-2269 Colossians 1:17-18
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Unseen Powers: Two Forces at Work
Colossians Chapter 1 Pastor Melissa Scott, Ph.D.
It is clear that there are many references to angels through the Scriptures. The elect, un-fallen angels, that remain holy and dedicated to God and the evil, fallen angels, that bring twisted messages to derail us from the path of faith. It is important to recognize the reality of these two forces at work, to put on the whole armor of God to protect ourselves against these opposing, unseen forces.
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The Point and Purpose of Angels
Colossians Chapter 1 Pastor Melissa Scott, Ph.D.
As background to the teaching Paul had to do to counter the false doctrine of angel worship, we can look to the Scriptures, especially the Pentateuch, to make sure we understand the nature and role of angels. Ultimately, whether they are good or evil angels, they are not to be worshiped: we are to be followers of Christ.
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God Has a Plan for His Creation
Colossians Chapter 1 Pastor Melissa Scott, Ph.D.
Digging into the original language in Colossians 1:16, we see Christ is the basis for creation, He is the instrument of creation, and the purpose of creation goes back to Him. He could not have been created if He was the Creator, which puts Him above all angels. We are part of the creation, and God’s plan for us is to praise Him.
info_outlineMost people want to know God’s personal, private will for their lives, but understanding the will of God begins with looking at what He has revealed in the Bible as His general will for all of His children. Colossians 1:1, Colossians 1:9, Colossians 4:12
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Pastor Melissa Scott teaches from Faith Center in Glendale. Call 1-800-338-3030 24x7 to leave a message for Pastor Scott. You may make reservations to attend a live service, leave a prayer request or make a commitment. Pastor Scott appreciates messages and reads them often during live broadcasts. Follow @Pastor_Scott on Twitter and visit her official Facebook page @Pastor.M.Scott.
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