Lessons from the pulpit

We have been studying Colossians and it has been eye opening to say the least! I love church and I especially love when the lesson stays with me all week long! Last weeks was a lesson like this and I have a feeling that today's sermon is going to be the same way. Here's the scripture we studied : Colossians 3:5-11 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:[a] sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.[b] 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self[c] with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave,[d] free; but Christ is all, and in all. I'm not typically a Message Bible reader but in this case I love how it is written. Her it is as well: 5-8 And that means killing off everything connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That’s a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God. It’s because of this kind of thing that God is about to explode in anger. It wasn't long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better. But you know better now, so make sure it’s all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk. 9-11 Don’t lie to one another. You’re done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you’ve stripped off and put in the fire. Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ. The Pastor made a point that really stuck out to me... this list of things to put off is something that we will conquer in our life. DAILY we have to put these things off, giving them to The Lord, and praying for strength to stay away from them. Sure we can and will become stronger in the staying away from these snares but we will never be able totally overcome them til we are made perfect in Christ. Which will be in Heaven. I'm thinking that I need to write this on an index card and tape it to all the bathroom mirrors in the house to remind my family to daily put these things off and pray for strength! we sang this song today also and it really moved me! I encourage you to look it up on youtube and be blessed! You Hold Me Now by Hillsong On that day when I see All that You have for me When I see You face to face There surrounded by Your grace All my fear is swept away In the light of your embrace When Your love is all I need And forever I am free Where the streets are made of gold In Your presence healed and whole Let the songs of heaven rise to you alone No weeping, no hurt or pain No suffering You hold me now You hold me now No darkness no sick or lame No hiding You hold me now, You hold me now In this life I will stand Through my joy and my pain Knowing there's a greater day There's a hope that never fails When Your name is lifted high And forever praises rise For the glory of Your Name I'm believing for the day When the wars and violence cease All creation lives in peace Let the songs of heaven rise to you alone No weeping, no hurt or pain No suffering You hold me now You hold me now No darkness, no sick or lame No hiding You hold me now, You hold me now For eternity All my heart will give All the glory to Your name For eternity All my heart will give All the glory to Your name For eternity All my heart will give All the glory to Your name For eternity All my heart will give All the glory to Your name No weeping, no hurt or pain No suffering You hold me now You hold me now No darkness no sick or lame No hiding You hold me now, You hold me now No weeping, no hurt or pain No suffering You hold me now You hold me now No darkness no sick or lame No hiding You hold me now, You hold me now No weeping, no hurt or pain No suffering You hold me now You hold me now No darkness no sick or lame No hiding You hold me now, You hold me now Joyfully, Kathy