Colossians

We start a new series this Sunday that is based on Colossians. The first time I remember studying the book of the Bible was back in college at ACU. I helped lead a Bible study group at someone's house every week. Weekly all the Bible study "leaders" would gather to go over the material. At the beginning of this study the leaders in charge brought everyone together and read through the entire book of Colossians front to back. It's only 4 chapters but man did Paul pack a lot in. I even remember what they called the study: Christ is Enough.

That pretty much sums it up for Christians "Christ is Enough" or at least it should some it up. It seems too many times it's Christ and this, or Christ and that, or if only you do this, or you do this right/wrong. We are too often going outside of what Jesus called us to: letting Him being everything, our all in all, everyday, in every situation. Yeah I know that on the surface this appears easy, but in reality it is very difficult to make him "all" or "enough."

What complicates it? We do. Or more specifically: I do. I complicate it. I try to look outside of Him to fill my needs. I try to look outside of Him for answers. I try to look outside of Him for hope. But it is all fruitless and frivolous.

Christ is enough...Christ is enough...He is...

Disillusionment

Here's the thing...most people that are in church are unhappy with their church. Why would I make such a preposterous statement? Because I hear people complain about church (their church, that church, our church...you get the picture)!

So here is what I propose: step back and take a look at yourself.

Opps, I said it. Now I don't mean to crush anyone's toes, just step on them a bit. We all need a good toe stomping on occasion. It reminds us that they are still there!

All change or lack of change starts with us. The reality is: everything changes. Everything. The problem is we believe that everything around us changes but we stay the same. "I'm exactly the same person I was when..." you can fill in the blank. I still see my self as the young scholar athlete with lots of hair.

Churches change because people change. Let's face it; we were ok with the change of having interior plumbing and electricity in church. We were ok when we stopped meeting in someone's living room or garage or barn.

Or were we? Were we ok when someone introduce the "new" song "Amazing Grace"? Were we ok when we had to build a bigger building because God was adding to our number daily? Were we ok when we had to put in a PA system so everyone could hear the preacher? Were we ok when someone said we could seat more people if we had pews? Were we ok when...well you get the idea.

At some point everything is new. At some point things must change. They must otherwise we would still be meeting in the catacombs by candle light.

So when was the last time you looked at yourself and realized that you had changed? Yes the church has changed: it is always changing & has been for the last 2,000 yrs. Yes you have changed: and have been since the day you were born. Is all change good: no. Will everything except God himself change: yes. If you're not changing, your probably dead (at least spiritually).

Is your church changing whether you like it or not? Are you changing whether you like it or not? Are you grumbling and complaining about it or are you looking to God to find your strength and foundation? Are you modeling Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."