Daily Bread Pastor Mike Anderson

 Colossians 4 - Enduring Word Commentary - Colossians 4 4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. This verse really belongs in chapter 3, but it continues the theme of Christians in all stations in life treating each other fairly. Though a master had authority over his slave, Paul teaches the master to treat his slave realizing that the true master is in heaven.  Further Instructions 2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Paul is never hesitant to request prayer, but it is interesting to note what he is...

Colossians 3 - NIV Colossians 3 - Enduring Word Commentary Living as Those Made Alive in Christ 3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Paul transitions, as he does in all of his letters, to the practical aspects of living out our faith. In this case he starts with the position we have in Christ, as we have been raised with him. Paul tells us to keep our eyes on Christ, who is at the right hand of the Father. We say this is the Apostle's Creed. Most of all of the language of the historic creeds in the church are directly from the bible. The 3 major creeds are the Nicene, Athanasian, and Apostle's Creeds . The term creed comes from the Latin word, " credo" , which means ...

Colossians 2 - NIV   Enduring Word Commentary 2 I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. You can see the fierceness in Paul's heart for the Colossians to be grounded in their faith and to know the essentials of what they believe as Christians. Sometimes doctrine can be seen as "cold" and " esoteric ", but it is just as important today as it was in Paul's day. The word doctrine just means ...

Introduction to the Book of Colossians by Charles Swindoll, Insight for Living Please read this introduction before we begin walking through the book of Colossians. Knowing Paul's context for this letter will be super helpful as we unpack each chapter Colossians 1 - New International Version Enduring Word Commentary, David Guzik 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. Paul had never visited the Colossians, and he wrote this letter from prison about 60-61 A.D. The Colossian church was located in modern day Turkey, near Galatia in Asia Minor. Paul also includes Timothy his trusted colleague in ministry. Paul ends his introduce as he normally does saying, "Grace and peace to you from God our Father ."  Grace and peace are two of the greatest gifts in the Christian faith. Grace is the unmerited favor given to us f...

Philippians 4 - NIV   Philippians 4 - Enduring Word Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity 4 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!  2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Paul closes his letter to the Philippians like a coach in a locker pumping up is his players. Paul considers the Philippians his joy and his crown . They have a special place in his heart. When he says they are " his crown ", he is referring to the crown we will receive in heaven as a reward for our faithfulness.  Paul used the ancient Greek word for crown that described the crown given to an athlete who had won the race. It was a crown of achievement (a s...

Philippians 3 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary No Confidence in the Flesh 3 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. When Paul says, " no confidence in the flesh" , he is talking about relying on our own good works, or our religious pedigree to be right with God. The " mutilators of the flesh " were those who wanted adult, male, Gentile converts to be circumcised according the the Law of Moses.  What does Paul mean when he says, "We are the circumcision" ? It seems like a very odd statement to make. Circumcision was commanded in the Old Testament as part of God's covenant with Abraham....