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Colossians 3 - In the Name of Jesus Is More Than Just Prayer!

Colossians 3 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. In Chapter 3 of Colossians, Paul teaches about all of the practical ramifications of our being raised with Christ metaphorically speaking. We have a new position in Christ before our Father in heaven. We no longer stand condemned, because Jesus has cancelled the written code of the Law. Jesus erased and wiped out all of our sins when he died for us on the cross, which made us right with God.  In verses 1 - 14, Paul talks about putting to death our old nature, which is marked by the sins of ...
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Colossians 2 - Where There Are No Root, There is No Fruit!

Colossians 2 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Spiritual Fullness in Christ 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. "Colossians 2 is a pivotal chapter in the New Testament written by the Apostle Paul, focusing on the sufficiency and supremacy of Jesus Christ over human philosophies, legalism, and false teachings." Bible Gateway Paul is teaching about what happens AFTER you receive Jesus as Your Lord and Savior. Accepting Christ is only the beginning of your faith journey. The rest of our lives, we will be struggling to grow more to be like him. In these two verses Paul highlights the key aspects of how knowing and abiding in Christ is all we really need. He uses two important metaphors to highlight our relationship with Christ.  1. Continue you to live your lives "rooted in Him". The roots are what draw nutrien...
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Colossians 1 - The "Spitting Image" of the Father!

Colossians 1 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Background on the Letter to the Colossians (summarized from Google AI) Paul wrote this letter while he was in prison in Rome, around 60-62 A.D.  Colossae is located in modern Turkey, 100 miles east of Ephesus. The church was started by a local man named Epapras, who likely heard Paul preach in Ephesus. The occasion was Paul's deep concern from false teaching, which had infiltrated the church. This false teaching was a mixture of Jewish legalism. I.e. Sabbath and dietary rules, and observation of festivals. Worship of angels and mystical experience. Also known as "secret knowledge" or "gnosticism". And, "ascetism", which was a self-imposed denial of bodily needs in search of a higher spiritual purity.  Purpose of the letter.  " Paul wrote to prove that Jesus Christ is completely supreme, sufficient, and preeminent over all creation and spiritual powers. He argued that believers do not need to add hidden r...
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Philippians 4 - The Peace You Cannot Explain!

Philippians 4 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary As we started Paul's letter to the Philippians, I said it was my favorite letter in the New Testament. That being said, Chapter 4 is my favorite chapter. Verses 4-8 and verse 13 are defiitely worth memorizing!  Final Exhortations 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. First, two important things about the historical context of this passage. One, Paul was in prison suffering for the proclamation of the gospel. Two, the Philippians were suffering, as we see Paul writes that the Philippians were experiencing the same kind of struggles and conflict, they had seen him go through.  If anybody had a reason to be anxio...
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Philippians 3 - Running the Race to Win!

Philippians 3 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Paul has quite a religious pedigree, but when he compares it to knowing Jesus, he considers it a " bunch of garbage ". In Galatians 2 he says, "If righteousness could be gotten from the works of the law, then Christ died for nothing!" Paul was dealing with those who were ...
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Philippians 2 - The Blueprint for True Humility!

Philippians 2 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Imitating Christ’s Humility 2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:  6 Who, being in very nature God,  did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;  7 rather, he made himself nothing  by taking the very nature of a servant,  being made in human likeness.  8 And being found in appearance as a man,  he humbled himself  by becoming obedient to death—  even death on ...
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Philippians 1 - God Completes What He Starts!

Philippians 1 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Introduction to Paul's letter to the Philippians (Google AI) Author: The Apostle Paul. Location: Written while Paul was in prison (likely in Rome around A.D. 62). The City: Philippi was a prominent Roman colony in Macedonia (modern-day Greece) known for patriotic pride and retired soldiers. The Church: Founded by Paul during his second missionary journey (recorded in Acts 16), starting with believers like Lydia. It was the first Jesus community established in Europe . Purpose of the Letter Thank You: P aul wrote to thank the church for sending a financial gift to support him in prison through Epaphroditus.Joy in Suffering: He aimed to encourage the believers to maintain their joy and stand firm despite facing outside opposition and internal friction. Unity and Humility: Paul urged the congregation to put aside selfish ambition and embrace the humble "mind of Christ". Key Themes  Rejoice in the Lord: Words related to joy and re...
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