November 6 Sermon and Announcements

 

CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

NOVEMBER 6, 2022

 

We are all in this together!

Colossians 4:2-6, 10-18

 

I decided to take one more Sunday looking at what is being told to the church in Colossae. Paul is reminding everyone as he ends his letter of the importance of prayer. They are also encouraged to be both watchful and thankful. What do you suppose it means to be watchful? I believe the church is being encouraged to stand firm in what they have been led to believe. Do not let others deceive you. In fact, in the earlier chapters, that very point was made. The Colossians, in others words, are to be on guard. As was stated in Chapter 3, verse 15 we saw the importance also of believers being thankful. Paul then gets personal reminding the church of what he, as well as some others, are currently going through. That their efforts to continue to proclaim the good news has been limited because they are in prison. He reminds them to pray that he can continue to share the message of Christ clearly, no matter what. Paul then gives advice on how to share Christ with those who do not believe. They are then encouraged to make the most of every opportunity. In other words, when God opens the door, do not fail to go through it. While grace needs to be part of how you share Christ, make sure you add some salt. Do not give a watered-down version of the gospel. While grace is a key part of the approach, the truth of God’s righteousness must also be a part. Then the church is encouraged to be able to answer questions that may arise.

 

As we continue our look at Chapter 4, we did not read verses

7-9. Paul is telling the people of whom is being sent the letter  details about the ones coming. We pick things up again with verse 10. Here Paul is still talking about some things that may happen in the future and who will be involved. The list of those either currently with Paul or those who have been with him continues for the next few verses. Paul is sending a message to the Colossians about how much we need one another. In verse 12 Paul mentions Epaphras. He says Epaphras is one of you. He then tells how much Epaphras is praying for them. Epaphras’ love for the people of Colossians is so strong it says he is wrestling in prayer for them. Why? Because he wants them to stand firm and be victorious in their walk with Christ and not be deceived. Do you and I wrestle over ones we love? Paul wants the church in Colossae to understand just how much Epaphras is doing for them. Paul then mentions others they clearly know or know about. Luke and Demas are also two who want this church to know prayers are being lifted for them. Then they are encouraged to share all they have read and heard with others. In fact, in verse 16 they say, “After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and then read the letter they received as well.” They close out this letter by making sure Archippus completes the work the Lord gave him to do. Then Paul wants the church to know he personally wrote this letter. Oh, by the way, remember I am in chains! He then says, with all that going in in his life to the church, “Grace to you.” When we look at the letter to the Colossians, we see honesty on display. Paul does not dwell on his circumstances as much as he wants this church to be strong in the Lord. In chapter 4 it is obvious Paul wants these churches to know how important every single person is. After all, we are all in this together. And we are strongest when we stand side by side together. That was the message of the church of Colossae and Laodicea and it is the message for the churches in Cerro Gordo today. Everyone working together can do great things. It was true then and it is true today. That is the message Paul and Timothy wanted to leave with these churches. And that is what God wants to leave with us today. Be prayerful, be thankful, be faithful to God’s word and stand together. If the church does that, we cannot be defeated. We will not be stopped from doing everything God is calling us to do.

Pastor Larry

 Announcements:

 

Tuesday 9:30 Bible Study

 

November 9 6:15 executive committee; 7:00 commissions; 7:30 board

 

November 13 Council Meeting immediately after worship

            Care Package snacks are due.

November 27 Decorate sanctuary after soup lunch for all.

 

December 4 Christmas Vespers HERE

 

The women are taking orders for homemade candy again this year. See the flyer on the bulletin board and give Chelle Shively or Nancy Born Martin your orders. Pick up is on Dec. 3.

 

Hard copies of the November newsletter are in the back.

 

Offering plates are in the back of the sanctuary. Thank you for your continued giving!

 

Donation Box: The Lord’s Storehouse

First Sundays: food donations for food banks

 

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

 

To keep up on Church of the Brethren news:

Denomination: www.brethren.org/news Sign up for Newsline by clicking link on left side of page.

District: iwdcob.org (click on newsletter link) and on facebook

Our pages: cerrogordocob.com (printed sermon, announcements, & calendar) and on facebook

Keep in Your Prayers

Jonah Martina; Jan Bower; Larry Traxler; Jill McBride; Cecil; Michelle West; Carolyn Hirsch; Eli Brunner; Nancy Fansler; Joe Waltz; Doug Larrick; Anna Rose Larrick; Ron & Kathleen Petersen; Anna Gentry Thompson; Louis & Carol Sulwer; Maralyn Heckman; Debbie Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Sonna Hall; Tina Wilhelm; Tate Sawyer; Bryce Ashenfelter; Mindy Sawyer; Marlene Schultz; Sarah Rudelick; Carl and Wilma Cable; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker;  Adiline Young; Kim Lehmann; Doug Fansler; Candy Dobson; Shawn Cain; Robert Cripe; Mayo & Darlene Hanaver; Patty Cripe; Lauren Gross; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; Coronavirus; healthcare workers and first responders; victims of disasters; victims of shootings; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren; Ukraine; Hope Welty Library; Florida; Puerto Rico; La Place congregation

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the Highland Avenue congregation in Elgin, IL

 

Church of the Brethren vision statement:

Together, as the Church of the Brethren, we will passionately live and share the radical transformation and holistic peace of Jesus Christ through relationship-based neighborhood engagement. To move us forward, we will develop a culture of calling and equipping disciples who are innovative, adaptable, and fearless.

                        Our Mission Statement:

Love God, grow with others, serve faithfully, reach the lost, find peace.