Sermon Prepared by James McCullen
Email Preach Him with Dr. Jim

Thanks for the Memories
Col. 1:3-5 a

Introduction
The word  "Thanks" or some form of it is used 71 times in the NASU Bible.

03 times in Matt.,         10 times in Luke.

05 times in Rom.         08 times in 1 Cor.

06 times in Colossians

In this text we can see how Paul was in a thankful mood. We can look into this prayer of Paul ands see what he was thankful for.
 

1.    Thanks for the Memory of. . Faith. v 4 a

2.    Thanks for the Memory of. . Love. v 4 b

3.    3. Thanks for the Memory of. . Hope. v 5 a
 
 

A.    Thanks for the . . Revelation of their Faith. v 4 a (1)
            ". . . since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus . . . "

        1.    Paul learned about their faith from another.
        2.    Paul had never been to Colossae. Colossians 2:1
                "For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at
                    Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, NASU

        3.    It is good to know news about Faith Travels.

B.    Thanks for the . . Resting of their Faith. v 4 a (2)
            "since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus. . . "

        1.    The Position of the believer is in Christ.
        2.    Jesus is the Object of our Faith.
        3.    We do not have Faith in Faith but Faith In Christ

Illustration
Two of my good friends of more than 40 years came by to see me and our new building Tuesday. Jim McNiel shared about a recent meeting in was in St. Louis where the church has a minister who has a ministry that includes bars and Tatoo parlours.

Recently he won to the Lord a big rough tough Motorcycle guy who admits having had a 20 beer a day for 20 years habit that he could not break. He was a tough guy in the midst of tough guys.

On the Friday of the Revival his 8 year old daughter was in a car wreck. McNiel went to see this man in the hospital and Jim's prayer helped to focus the family. However the little girl died.

The Funeral was on Tuesday and this man got up to a packed funeral parlour and talked about his faith "In Christ". He told the crowd he had been saved and if it were not for Christ he would be drunk.

Then he said "if you don't know what being saved means; it is giving Jesus control of your life." He bragged on Jesus. The funeral procession was 4 miles long.

I only heard about this but I have thanked the Lord for the revelation of the change and peace being "In Christ" has brought to this husband and wife.
 

Application

How can that happen: 2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. NASU
 
 

A.    Thanks for the . . Possession of Love
            ". . . and the love which you have for all the saints;. . . "

        1.    Because we are In Christ" we have His Love.

B.    Thanks for the . . Path of Love.
            ". . . and the love which you have for all the saints;. . . "

        1.    Being "In Christ" has the effect of affecting all of our relationships but definitely to the Saints.
                    v 4 a "since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus. . .

        2.    The GREEK word EN = In Christ
        3.    The GREEK word EIS = Toward all the saints.
        4.    Because the believer is in Christ the Love of Christ flows out of them toward others.

Illustration
In a particular church situation a member mentioned how difficult it was to love somebody. In my sermon that day I said "we say some times we have a problem loving some people but we will not have that problem if we do as this verse says and I read": Rom 5:5 ". . . because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

After a period of time that person came to me and said "you know God has given me love for that person." This kind of testimony happens over and over again as we who are "In Christ" allow this position to do the natural work of working out of us what our relationship has put in us.

Application

There have been times in my life that God's love just swelled in me for fellow believers; and at times for a non believers.
 
 

A.    Thanks for the . . Personalizing of this Hope. v 5 a (1)
                "because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, . . . "

        1.    It is in your name.
        2.    Deposited to your account through Jesus.
                a.    Our names can be written in heaven.
                b.    Our rewards can be laid up in heaven.

B. Thanks for the . . Place of this Hope. v 5 a (2)
            "because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, . . . "

1 Peter 1:3-5 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. NASU

Illustration
One of our fine evangelist during the middle of the 20^th century Hyman Appleman told of meeting periodically with an old friend. The old friend could not understand this man persistence in his work as an evangelist. He said Hyman "why don't you quit."

Hyman said to his friend "what do you do with your time" and the friend said "I count my coupons and my dividend" and laughed. Hyman asked "what will you do next year" and the friend said "I'll count more coupons and my dividend". Hyman then said "what then". This went on for several rounds and finally the friend said "well eventually I will die". Hyman said "what then". The friend said "I don't know about what then". Hyman said well that is when I start counting my dividends and coupons."
 

Applications

This world is not my home I am just a passing through. My treasure are laid up some where beyond the blue.