Keep On Keeping On
🗣️ Speaker: Pastor Derrel Strickland
In this week's sermon, Pastor Derrel highlighted the idea that God is already here with us, and it's our job to continue the work He's given us. He emphasized Colossians 1, noting Paul's prayer for believers to be filled with knowledge and spiritual wisdom so that they can walk in ways that please God, bearing good fruit and deepening their understanding of Him. The key takeaway? We should persist in our faith, pray for wisdom, and keep striving to know God better, because it's through knowing Him that we learn to love and serve more faithfully. Even when times get tough, let's not give up because, as Pastor Strickland reminded us, "it ain't over until it's over."
Additional Info
The info below was generated by an AI from the audio recording of the sermon.
The Importance of Knowing God
At the heart of spiritual growth lies the essential principle that the better we know God, the more we love Him. This concept is beautifully articulated in Colossians 1:9-10, which highlights the necessity of understanding God's will, along with spiritual wisdom and knowledge. The scripture emphasizes that through knowing God more deeply, we will develop a stronger relationship that drives us to serve Him faithfully.
The Journey of Faith
Colossians 1:23 offers an essential reminder: to continue in faith, remaining stable and steadfast. This message was written by Paul during a challenging time in his own life, reflecting the importance of perseverance in our faith journey. Just as Paul encouraged the early Christians in Colossal, believers today are called to maintain hope and fidelity in their relationship with God, regardless of external circumstances.
A Call to Action
Reflecting on the idea of maintaining endurance, it’s vital for believers to remember that their journey of faith is not yet complete. Life presents challenges through various phases, including societal changes, political climates, or even personal trials. Yet, the call remains clear: it is essential to keep moving forward, fostering an unwavering commitment to God’s Word.
The Significance of Prayer
Paul made it clear in his letter that he and others were continuously praying for the Colossians to be filled with the knowledge of God's will. This ongoing prayer highlights the power of intercession and the importance of joining together in prayer for wisdom and guidance. As challenges arise, prayer becomes a vital lifeline that sustains us spiritually and encourages mutual support within the community of believers.
Grace and Peace in a Troubling World
The message of grace and peace so relevant during Paul's time is equally pertinent today. These gifts of God serve as essential components that equip believers to navigate life’s difficulties. In understanding that we are all part of a greater body in Christ, the call to exhibit kindness, compassion, and forgiveness among one another remains crucial for nurturing a healthy faith community.
The Power of God at Work
Ephesians 3:20 describes the incredible ability of God to work within us, surpassing our expectations. This scripture serves as a reminder that believers are never alone; God continually empowers them to serve His purpose. This divine strength revokes feelings of inadequacy and reinforces the belief that in God’s hands, even the smallest efforts can produce extraordinary results.
The Proclamation of Hope
In Colossians 1:27, Paul speaks about the riches of glory in having Christ as the hope of glory. This assurance encourages believers to boldly proclaim the Gospel—the good news that Jesus saves. It is an invitation to embrace the mission of spreading this message far and wide, making it an ongoing priority within the life of the church.
The Call to Keep on Keeping On
The essence of the message culminating from these teachings is simple yet profound: keep on keeping on. Whether in the personal struggles of life or the broader societal challenges faced today, it is imperative for every believer to remain steadfast. Philippians 2:12-13 emphasizes the continual effort required to pursue one's relationship with God, working out their salvation with diligence.
Conclusion: Embracing the Journey
The journey of faith is one of ongoing growth and transformation. As Paul illustrated through his experiences and teachings, believers are called not only to know God but to act on that knowledge. By fostering relationships rooted in grace and peace, praying for one another, and remaining committed to the mission of the Gospel, each individual can actively participate in the collective journey towards spiritual maturity.
Final Thoughts
In times of uncertainty or adversity, remember that it is not over until the final note is sung. Like an opera performance, the end is not determined until it is achieved—pray, serve, and keep on keeping on as a testament to your faith and hope in Christ.
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Use the questions listed below as a launching point to discuss the sermon points together as a family. These are great for dinner table discussions and small groups.
Reflect on your Faith Journey:
How has your understanding of God's will changed over time?
Share a moment when learning more about God helped you love Him more.
Persistence in Trials:
Pastor Strickland emphasized the need to keep on during tough times. Can you share experiences where perseverance paid off in your spiritual life?
The Call to Serve:
In what ways do you feel called to serve God and others as your love for Him grows?
Prayer and Wisdom:
How do you incorporate prayer for wisdom into your daily routine? Has it impacted your decision-making?
Community Support:
How can we as a group support each other in our journey to "keep on keeping on" in faith?
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Colossians 1:9-23
Cultural Background: Colossae was an ancient city located in what is now Turkey. It was home to a diverse mix of Greeks, Jews, and other peoples, influencing its cultural and religious life.
Political Atmosphere: Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians while imprisoned, likely in Rome around AD 60. This period was marked by Roman dominance, and Christians often faced persecution for their beliefs.
Religious Environment: The Colossian church grappled with various heresies, including Gnosticism, that emphasized special knowledge over faith. Paul's letter sought to emphasize true spiritual wisdom found in Christ.
Significance of Wisdom and Knowledge: In this epistle, Paul focuses on spiritual knowledge and understanding, praying for believers to live lives worthy of the Lord. Such wisdom was crucial for early Christians to counter misleading doctrines.
This context highlights why Paul's message of spiritual growth and enduring faith was not only a theological statement but also a practical guide for maintaining a strong, unified Christian identity amidst societal challenges.
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Lesson Title: Keep on Keeping On!
Objective: Teach children the importance of sticking with God and doing good things, even when it gets tough.
Opening Activity:
Materials: Small toy or object.
Activity: Play a quick game of "Pass the Object." Have kids sit in a circle and pass the toy while music plays. When the music stops, whoever has the toy says one nice thing they can do for someone else. Then the music starts again. After a few turns, explain that just like we kept passing the toy, we should keep doing good things for others!
Lesson Time:
Bible Verse: "Keep on doing what is right, for at the right time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9 (simplified for children)
Say: "Today, we’re going to talk about a message from Pastor Strickland called 'Keep on Keeping On!' Do you know what that means? It means that even when things are tough, or when we feel tired, we keep doing what is right and what makes God happy."
Story Example:
Share a simple story about a boy or girl who tries to grow a plant from a seed. Even though it takes a long time, and they don’t see anything happening right away, they keep watering it. Finally, a tiny green sprout appears, and they’re so glad they didn’t give up!
Ask the children, “What would happen if they stopped watering the plant?” Explain that the plant wouldn’t grow. This is like our faith and good actions – we keep going, even if we can’t see what’s happening right away!
Apply to Everyday Life: Explain that when we keep doing what God asks – like being kind, helpful, and listening to our parents – even when it’s hard, it’s like watering a plant. Good things will grow!
Interactive Example:
“The Good Deed Path” Activity:
Materials: Masking tape or paper for a path on the floor, and small markers for each child to represent "good deeds" (like stickers or colored paper).
Instructions: Tape a path on the floor and mark the end as “God’s Garden.” As children walk the path, have them place a "good deed marker" every few steps, like helping, sharing, or praying. When they reach the end, praise them for “keeping on” and reaching “God’s Garden” by staying on the path.
Prayer Time:
End with a simple prayer:
"Dear God, thank you for helping us to keep going, even when things are hard. Help us to keep on being kind, loving, and to keep following You. Amen."Wrap-Up Question:
Ask, “What are some good things you can keep doing every day?”
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A few weeks ago, I was doing my devotion, and I read a passage that I've read many times before. But as often happens, I saw it from a different perspective. And I know those of you, most of you have read it and that thing happened to you, but particularly if you've been in any kind of ministry, you say, I've never saw it like that before. And we're going to read the entire passage, but I want to begin with just a few verses that impacted me that morning. And it's Colossians, chapter one.
Colossians, chapter one, the first verse. We start with verse nine. Colossians chapter one, verse nine says this. And so from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will and all spiritual wisdom and understanding. So what Paul was saying is he said, we're praying for you.
And when I say he said we, he was talking about, basically the church staff, okay? He talking about the leadership of the church, because he was writing this from his imprisonment at Rome, and he wasn't. By just writing for himself. He said, we. We are praying for you so that you would know God's will and to give you spiritual wisdom to understand.
How many think that's a great prayer, that you'll know God's will and spiritual wisdom to understand. But the next verse says this so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work, increasing in the knowledge of God. That particular morning, I was reading the new living translation, and that verse says this. It says, as you learn to know God better and better, as you learn to know God better and better. And as we continue on this message, I want to ask you to look at it from this perspective.
The better you know God, the more you will love God. I said, the better you know God, the better you will love God. And the more you love God, the more you will want to serve God, because that's part of it. Now let's drop down to verse 23 of that same chapter. If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the Gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven and which I.
Paul became a minister. Did you catch that? He says, if indeed you continue in the faith. Now some of you are saying, well, what's the big deal? See, Paul wrote this letter to the church at Colossal just a few years before his death.
And he wrote while he was a prisoner in Rome. A year or so later, he wrote to the church at Philippi under the same circumstances, the same situation, that he was a prisoner. Then we know that he closed out his career or his life writing out first and Second Timothy, these final two books, and they contain so much theology and so many truths. But this morning I want to emphasize one of the key components of this letter. I want us to look at the components of this letter.
And it was the same letter to Timothy, who was his son in the faith. Same concept of what he wrote to Coloss. Same rot he wrote to the book of Philippians. He this truth. You've got to keep on keeping on.
You've got to keep on keeping on. It ain't over until it's over. See, it was several days later that God did what he does to me so often he surprises me now. He shouldn't. You'd think all these years, brother Bill, that I've served the Lord, that I should never, never, never let God surprise me.
But when you're as hard headed as I am, he has to surprise me every now and then. It was several days later that I was amazed at what God had done. See, he gave me this message about three weeks ago. And a few days later I noticed something on the calendar.
My mind said, you know what that Sunday's going to be? That's going to be Veterans Day, Veterans Day and Veterans. You may think that your tour of duty is over, but guess what? You got to keep on keeping on. You got to keep on keeping on because it ain't over.
I said, it ain't over. And then I noticed something else. Did you notice that last Tuesday was the election?
I knew. I knew before the election I had to preach this regardless of who won.
Now, I'm supposing those of you clapping it, you voted on the prevailing side. But I can tell you I would still have to preach the same message, the same message, whoever won. Because guess what? We have to keep on keeping on. Your candidate may have won or lost, but guess what?
You may not have to listen to those campaign speeches anymore, but we must keep on, keep it on. We need to pray as much now as we did prior to the election. We need to pray that God would give us the wisdom, the knowledge and the ability. When I say we, that we need to be praying for the leadership, that God would give them direction, that God would be with them. Because it's not over until it's over.
Now that's saying was given to us by a great theologian by the name of Joe Gibera. Now I've tried to, tried to figure out if he was that smart or that dumb because I'm going to tell you, he gave some great words of wisdom. It ain't over until it's over. But there's another saying that from a different thing. It ain't over till the fat lady sings.
Now, you know, I looked that up because I wanted to see what was going on. It ain't over to the fat lady sings. That is from the opera. Now this kind of amazed me because, you know, you could think of people that like opera being high class and whatever, and why would they talk about a fat lady? Now I can understand if it's old southern gospel group.
It ain't over to the fat lady sings. But these people are operatic. And where they came from is traditionally years ago and maybe even now. But when they did an operatic concert right near the end, it was closed by solo that was normally a mature size, okay? The fat lady, a fat lady.
And she would come and sing. And so just me, I know that if I was at an opera that had to endure an opera, that when the fat lady came on, I'd start clapping. It's over, okay? But guess what? It's not over until it's over.
It's not over until it's over. Now we got to keep on keeping on. I believe the fat lady is in the wings tuning up. I believe getting ready to sing the final number. You say, well, what if you're wrong?
Hey, Isaiah said I preached a few weeks ago. I've given you this brief moment. A brief moment. Now the reality is in the light of eternity, if you live to be 150 years, that's a brief moment. So I believe the fat lady is getting ready to sing.
I believe in the words of yoga bear, it's almost over, but it isn't over until it's over. Now we got to keep on keeping on. What do we mean keep on keeping on? That doesn't mean that since the election is over that we got to keep on fighting with each other. That's not what we got to do.
I said that's not what we got to do. But we Got to keep on fighting to get to know God better and better as you learn to know God. Well, as we spoke on the veterans, you got to keep on keeping on in the political arena. Guess what? We got to keep on keeping on.
Next week, you'll hear from a prospective minister to become the next pastor. Now, friends, this is not negative. I said this is not negative. Now, I want you to know I love our fellowship. I love your church.
I love you. But God has informed me it's time for me to pass the baton. It's time for me to retire. You say why? Because I'm old.
And because you deserve better. You deserve somebody more energetic and good. Because we got to keep on keeping on. Now, I'm not quitting. I said I'm not quitting.
I'm just stepping aside to allow God to take the church to the next level. Why? Because it ain't over. I said it ain't over until it's over. Now, I believe the fat lady is warming up, but until she bellows out that last song, we need to keep on keeping on.
Now, we can't look at all of this today, but I want to note some things that Paul told those churches before. And since he was telling those churches, guess what he's telling us today? He's telling us today. So let's go back to the Book of Colossians. We're going to read quite a bit of scripture here because it spoke to me about knowing God.
If you notice that he gave the same introduction to the church at Coloss as He did to the church at Philippi. And the introduction says, to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ. To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ. Now, I can tell you what, I wasn't around then, almost, but I wasn't around when this was written. But I can tell you that they were not perfect people.
I said they were not perfect people, but they were saints. They were part of the body of Christ. And he wrote those words to them, to the saints and the faithful brothers in Christ at Coloss and at Philippi. And he used those words, grace and peace. How many think that the world needs grace and peace as much today as they have ever needed it?
Grace and peace. And Timothy, he didn't say brothers and saints, he said to my son. But he said, guess what? Grace and peace. Grace and peace.
As we learn to know better.
I remember an old song of years ago. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me. You know what we need his mercy. We need his grace. We need to keep on keeping on now let's drop down to verse three and let's read.
And let's look at it from the perspective every time you notice it. Because as I read, I've read this through dozens of times, this chapter since God gave this to me a few weeks ago. And I was amazed at how many times the thought was, you got to keep on keeping on. You have to keep on keeping on. We always thank God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ when we pray for you since we've heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.
Of this you have heard before in the word of truth, the gospel which has come to you as indeed in the whole world. It is bearing fruit and increasing as it is doing among you since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth. Now, I tell you what, I could preach a on a lot of these subjects. One of the things is we need to realize that the church is alive and well. I said the church is alive and well.
God is doing some awesome things in the church. Well, I don't see it, but I'm going to tell you, you need to open your eyes because God is doing some awesome, awesome things in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, and he's going to continue to do it. And so we need to keep on keeping on because God wants us to keep on keeping on and he wants us to be faithful. And we have to understand this is a problem. I have to watch myself.
I get on my soapbox. If I was going to be here much longer, I'd build a box out here so I could get on my soapbox. But we need to understand something, that this scripture was not written to the political, written to the church. It was not written to the world.
You say, isn't it good for the world? Yes, good for the world. But that's our responsibility to share this gospel with the world. That's why the word gospel means good news. And so he's telling us, church, you need to get your act in order.
You need to keep on keeping on. Because there's people that have not heard that Jesus Christ is Lord. Most of us here are waiting for the return of Christ. Did you know about a third of the population of the world didn't know he came the first time?
We got to keep on keeping on. We got a job to do. And we get confused and think that the world is supposed to live like the church. The world is not supposed to Live like the church. They're supposed to live like the world.
Our responsibility is to get them out of the world and into the church. Amen. So we got to keep on keeping on. It says just. You've learned it from Epiphas, our beloved fellow servants.
He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. And so from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray. Not cease to pray? What does that mean? They've been keeping on keeping on.
We keep praying that you be filled with the knowledge of his will and all spiritual wisdom and understanding so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God, or getting to know him better and better, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might for all. Endurance. Oh, endurance. I want you to know something. Life is not a sprint.
It's a marathon. And we need endurance. And then there's something else that we don't like to say. Patience.
Patience. My wife and I spent a few days up in the mountains, and we love Dollywood. And if you've never been to Dollywood, you'll be amazed at how laid back everything is. We tried to do a couple of pastor phone calls, and it was impossible. You know why?
Every time she would start getting my video, somebody come, hey, I'll take your picture for both of you.
We had to avoid several because, well, ma'am, we tried to get. Oh, I'm sorry. Finally, one time, true story. A lady came up and said, listen, I'm going to stand guard so you can get it done. She did.
She said, I'm going to stand guard so you can record it. Because these people were trying to encourage one another with patience. And I know that we don't like patience, but even notice the next word, patience with joy. If we do have patience, it's with patience with joy. We need to do that, and we need to have that patience with joy.
Let's read on. It says, giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. I'm going to tell you in the natural, I wasn't qualified, but Father qualified me. And he has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, Redemption, the forgiveness of sins. And then he begins.
He kind of changed gears, but not really. He begins to talk about the preeminence of Christ. He says he is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. So see, if we begin to know God better, guess what? If we get to know Jesus better, we know God better.
And if we know God better, we're going to love him better. And if we love him better, we're going to live better. And if we live better, we're going to love one another. We could go on and on. For by him all things were created in heaven and earth, visible and invisible, Whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities.
All things were created through him and for Him. And he is before all things and him, all things hold together. Oh, I think our world's falling apart. We need to depend upon God. He's the only one that can hold it together.
Hey, I want to tell you something. The Republicans can't hold it together. The Democrats can't hold it together. The Independents can't hold it together. The only thing that will hold it together is God.
It's God. And so we have to keep on. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. What does that mean?
He needs to be number one. He's number one. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of cross. And you who were once were alienated. That's you.
You once were alienated. You once were one of those. You say what was one of those? What are those do you think is the most evil in the world? You were once one of those.
But you were alienated by your hostile mind, evil deeds. But he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him. Now, I can tell you I don't know all of you. Some of you I know a little bit. Some of you I know enough that I would be hesitant to say I'm going to present you blameless.
But God says he's going to present you what? Blameless. Why? Because he's already paid the price. He has reconciled the bill.
And he says, if indeed you continue in the faith, if you keep on keeping on not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which is proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. So what do we do? What do we do? Now, I know I'm old enough and some of you are older. I remember an old song when it was very popular during the hippie days?
Any of you remember the hippie days? It was Kumbaya, my Lord, Kumbaya. Now, if I understand that, Rick, it means come by here. Is that what we're supposed to be doing? Just say, come by here?
Hey, God is already here. We don't need to be waiting on God. We need to get work. We need to keep on keeping on. It's a nice thought to say, lord, come by here, but we need to finish the fact.
Let's keep it on. Look what he told his son in the faith. And again, this was written shortly after Timothy, about five years later, in First Timothy, Chapter 4. And again, I could cover tons of stuff in here, but first Timothy, chapter 4, verse 12, it says this. Let no one despise you for your youth.
Now, I know that kind of comes as shock, but Timothy, one of his issues was he's so young, a lot of people didn't like him. For those of you that are younger and you're getting resistance from older people, Timothy got resistance from older people. He said, let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. How long do you do it? Until I come.
I know this is talking about Paul coming, but how many think Jesus is saying, carry on until I get there. Carry on until I get there. Because I'm coming. I'm coming sooner or later, when it's all over, when it's all said and done at my time. Some people say, lord, Pastor, when is Jesus coming?
I can tell you exactly when he's coming, when he's ready. When God said come, When God said go, you say, can you give us a better. No. The Bible gives us a lot of keys. And I believe that we see signs being performed right before our eyes.
That fat lady is in the wings. But until then, until then, we're to devote ourselves to public reading of scripture, to exhortation, of teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy. When the council of elders laid their hands on you, what was he saying? See, he said it in the next book, which was written a little bit later, right before he died.
He told them, stir up the gift. Keep on keeping on. Stir up the gift. Practice these things. Immerse yourself in them so that you may see your progress.
Keep a close watch on yourselves and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by doing so, you will save both yourselves and your hearers. So what does it mean? Stir up that gift. Keep on keeping on.
Second Timothy, chapter two, verse 11. Little difference. Says this. This saying is trustworthy. If we have died with him, we will also live with him.
If we endure. What does that mean? That means keep on keeping on. If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us.
Well, what if? What if? What if? It doesn't matter, though. What if.
If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot. He cannot deny himself. So we got to keep on keeping on. Now, let's listen briefly, briefly to the letter of Philippians. Paul talks about advancing the gospel.
Now, isn't that what our command is? Take the gospel to all the world, go into all the world, go and tell. But you say, pastor, times are hard. Big deal. He was writing this from prison.
I said, he was writing this in prison. He said, you have to keep on keeping on.
Philippians, chapter two, verse one. I'm not going to read all this. I'm scheduled to read all 18 verses. But those verses, it says this. So if there's any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the spirit, that participation, the same word is used there for fellowship, fellowship with the Spirit, any affection and sympathy.
Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Does that mean that we're all going to be in total unison in agreement? No. No. But if we got the mind of Christ, if we say we're going to promote the kingdom, we're going to promote him.
And, I don't know, you say, well, Pastor, I'm weary, I'm wore out, I'm old. We could all come up with those excuses. But can I encourage you to go back to the first verse? Let Christ encourage you. Let Christ comfort you, let his love fill you, let his fellowship keep you going and complete my joy by being of the same mind.
Let's agree together. Say, listen. Going to agree to disagree. But we're going to go win Jesus. We're going to win the kingdom of God, win the world for the kingdom of God.
And he's going to minister to us, and we're going to keep on keeping on. And let's drop down and just read the last few verses.
Verse 12. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now not only is in my present, but much more in my absence. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. What does that mean? Does that mean that we have to earn it?
No, that means that there's some things we're going to disagree about. See, that was what Paul wrote this because There were people, I asked him, Daddy, he was their spiritual dad, said, what about this? What about this? He said, listen, work out your own salvation. That's all he was referring to.
Come to your own conclusion, folks. Some of you need to just go to work for yourself in the scripture and find out what God's telling you to do. Telling you to do, for it is with God who works in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling. I'm going to read that verse again.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing that you may be blameless and innocent children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation among you. Shine as lights in the world. Lights in the world. Hey, listen, I like that. It's easier to shine as a light in the dark place than it is in a lighted place.
So if the church is full of light, I don't shine very bright, but I can get out there among the heathen and I shine.
So let my light shine in the world. Didn't say, in the church. It's in the world. It says, do those things. Do those things.
Let's go back to Colossians. Read one more passage. Colossians, chapter. Actually, two more chapters. Two more passages we need to read, but back to 24 colossians, chapter one.
Now rejoice in my sufferings for your sake. And I'm filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body. That is the church of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given me for you to make the word of God fully known. The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. You got a secret.
And do you know what this is? One secret that God doesn't want you to keep a secret. He wants you to tell the truth. He wants you to tell everybody about the secret. Jesus saves.
Jesus saves. To them. God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery which is Christ in you the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all of his energy that he powerfully works within me.
He said, I'm struggling with all my energy. But Paul knew something. He says, not my energy. It's the power that works in me. The power of God.
What did he tell the church at Ephesus that he wrote just a Couple of years after this, or back basically the same time frame. Ephesians, chapter 3, verse 20. Now, to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think according to the power at work within us, the power that is worked within us to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen, folks. If we start letting the glory of God minister to us, that the church shines so brightly that the world can't help but look at it, there's going to be some changes in the world.
But in order for that to happen, we got to keep on keeping on, keep on keeping on. And then it tells us in Ephesians, Ephesians, I think verse 20, 21 says this. Now, to him who is able to do far abundantly all that we ask or think according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, the power that works with it within us. As my buddy Ken Turner would say, wow, wow, look what God has done. We got to keep on keeping on.
Now, chapter three in closing verses, verse 12. Colossians. Back to Colossians. Ephesians, chapter three, verse 12. Put on then, as God's chosen ones.
You're God's chosen ones. I said you're God's chosen ones. Remember the evangelist that we had that said, I'm God's favorite. We're all God's favorite. We're his chosen ones.
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved. Compassion in the hearts, kindness, humility, weakness and patience.
Let me take time to read that again, because if you really believe that you're one of God's special kids, we realize we've been chosen. And if I'm a privileged kid, I'm beloved.
And because I'm loved, I can love. And because God is kind to me, I can be kind to others. And because he has given me humility, because I realize it's not about me, it's all about Him. And meekness and patience bearing with one another. And if one has complaints against another, forgiving each other, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.
And above all, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of God, Christ dwell in you, richly teaching and admonish one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual psalms with thankfulness in my Heart and what have you do in word or deed? Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
What's the saying? Keep on keeping on. Whatever you do, keep on keeping on and do it with joy in your heart. You say, well, I don't have joy.
If you don't have joy, do what it says here. Start singing some of his psalms. Start singing some of his hymns. But I don't like those new songs. Sing an old one.
Go back and talk about Andy. You know where it says, and he walks with me, and he talks with me. But be thankful of what God has done. And I'm going to tell you, when you start singing his praises, when you start worshiping him, he's going to give you the strength to keep on keeping on. The fat lady is tuning up, but can I encourage all you veterans?
Keep on keeping on. If you're a candidate, won or lost, keep on keeping on. The new pastor will do some things that you might think are different, but the assignment hasn't changed. Keep on keeping on. Keep on keeping on.
Pastor Jeff, come on up and let's worship the Lord together.
Before we start worship, I want you to ask you to bow your heads in prayer. And first of all, if you're not a Christian, if you've never accepted the Lord, I hope you didn't think we were making fun of you of being part of the world because all of us were one of those at one time, but because God has redeemed us, God has saved us, he has changed us. He's put a love in our hearts and he's left to do the same for you. So if you're here and you don't know Jesus, I'd encourage you. As we begin to worship the Lord, just make your way to the altar and we'll have someone pray with you.
But then church, family, I know some of you are going through some struggles.
I said, I know there's some of you going through struggles, and I think we need to understand that there are two sides of every situation and circumstance. Some of you that are praising God or are going against some people that are complaining to God, but let's let God handle it and let's love one another, pray for one another, and care for one another. But I also know that some of you are going through a struggle, and I want to pray with you right now. I want to pray for those that are going through a battle. And I'm not indicating that you're thinking of giving up serving the Lord.
But you just need God's strength. You need God's love. You need God's patience. You need God's anointing. So we're going to just sing a chorus.
And if you need that prayer, I know some will be standing to worship. So let me just ask this. Will every head bow and every eye closed. If you just need me to pray with you because you're going through a rough time, raise your hand so I see it. And we'll pray with you and pray for you.
Yes, Hands all over the building. God knows who you are. He knows what you're going through. And God's wanting to minister to you. He's wanting to touch you.
Holy Father, we ask you to minister right now. We need your strength to keep on keeping on. That's the reason Paul kept encouraged us to look at the supremacy of Christ, look at who he is. Don't look to our own strength. Look to the power that lives within us.
Look to that power that resurrected Jesus from the dead and that he lives in us. And he'll give us strength to keep on keeping on. So Father, I pray for those that raise their hands here. I pray for those that are watching online. I pray for those caregivers.
I pray for those, Lord, that are unable to be here because of sickness. I pray, Lord, for those that are under attack of the enemy. And we rebuke the enemy and claim victory in the Lord Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. And we give you praise, give you honor and give you glory. God, we praise you and thank you for the veterans here today.
But God, ensure them how much you love them. Let them know how much they're appreciated, even at times they may not feel that way. God, we ask you to minister to those. Minister to the many veterans that are not in church this morning. Many are homeless.
Many need you to do a miracle. We ask you to do that. Have your willing way today and we give you praise, give you honor, give you glory in Jesus name.
