Jeremy Utley - Colossians 1:23

Jeremy UtleyMay 23, 20157mWatch on YouTube

Speaker: Jeremy Utley Title: Colossians 1:23 Date: 05-17-2015 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Summary

The central message is that Christian life involves being a reflection of Jesus, achieved both personally through purity and corporately within the church. Specifically, the speaker emphasizes that our work and calling are acts of stewardship from God, not chance. Furthermore, our purpose in ministry is not just personal conformity to Christ, but primarily for the benefit of others, meaning our experiences—both comfort and affliction—are intended for the benefit and salvation of those around us.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

According to the stewardship from GodThe speaker considers the phrase 'according to the stewardship from God,' recognizing that those submitted to God are placed in their life roles by His design, not random chance.

Can I say I've been sent to my work?He asks whether we can view our daily work—whether teaching, doctoring, or software development—as a divine assignment bestowed upon us.

Going to our workplace with a sense of being sentSeeing our work as a stewardship helps us approach our jobs with a deep sense of being specifically sent by God to that place.

Sent for the benefit of those we work withBesides conforming us to Christ, God sends us into our specific spheres of life for the benefit of the people we work alongside.

Paul's ministry for the churchPaul points entirely to the benefit of the church rather than his own benefit, leading the speaker to examine Second Corinthians.

Affliction and comfort in Second CorinthiansPaul states in Second Corinthians that his afflictions and comforts from God are ultimately for the comfort and salvation of others.2 Corinthians 1:1

Conviction about workplace frustrationsThe speaker is convicted about his tendency to react defensively when co-workers are snappy or rude, wanting others to acknowledge his own struggles.

Responding to lashing out with the word of GodInstead of reacting in kind when people lash out, we should approach hurt people as those who have already been fully comforted by God.

Rejecting worldly give-and-takeWhile worldly wisdom relies on a give-and-take system to protect ourselves, God's constant giving allows us to let others take without worry.

Conducting ourselves in the grace of GodConcluding with Second Corinthians 1:12, the speaker emphasizes conducting life not through fleshly wisdom, but through God's abundant grace and comfort.

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Jeremy Utley - Colossians 1:23

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