Characteristics of an Alive Church

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Characteristics of an Alive Church

• Colossians 11-14

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I. Compelling Faith (v. 4a)

• Faith in Jesus Christ is the bedrock for every
  congregation.
• - Romans 1017 So then faith comes by hearing,
  and hearing by the word of God.
• B. Some introduce heretical doctrines to the
  church.

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II. Compassionate Love (v. 4b)

• Christian love is inclusive, not exclusive. For
  all the saints
• Love is the measuring rod our Lord gave.
• - In John 1334 A new commandment I give to you,
  that you love one another as I have loved you,
  that you also love one another.

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III. Confident Hope (v. 5)

• That hope is anticipation with contentment.
• - laid up in heaven for us (v. 5).
• B. The hope of Heaven is justified by our Lords
  resurrection from the dead, and His promise to
  return and take us there.

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IV. Changed Lives (v. 6)

• The grace of God in truth
• Changed lives bear fruit all over the world.
  
• - 1 Corinthians 517, Therefore, if anyone is in
  Christ, he is a new creation old things have
  passed away behold, all things have become new. 

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V. Committed Leaders (vv. 7, 8)

• Epaphras, a faithful leader in the Colossian
  church.
• Two qualities stand out in committed leaders
  Servant-hood and faithfulness
• C. We all are to be leaders in the sense that we
  are to lead others to Christ.

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VI. Constant Prayers (vv. 9-12)

• Paul had not stopped praying for the church.
• It is amazing what telling someone what you are
  praying for them will do in their hearts.
• C. This, in turn, will affect their life-style
  (v. 10)

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VII. Continual Appreciation (vv. 12-14)

• Thanking the Father is an essential element in
  Pauls prayers, and should be in ours.
• B. Mark 1122-24
• Have faith in God. 23For assuredly, I say to
  you, whoever says to this mountain, Be removed
  and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in
  his heart, but believes that those things he says
  will be done, he will have whatever he says. 
• 24Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask
  when you pray, believe that you receive them, and
  you will have them.

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Compelling Faith

• Compassionate Love
• Confident Hope
• Changed Lives
• Committed Leaders
• Constant Prayers and
• Continual Appreciation
• These are all marks of a church that is
  alive for the Lord Jesus.
• Colossians 31 Seek after those things which are
  above, where Christ is sitting on the right of God

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May I ask you today

• How is your faith doing?
• Are you showing compassionate love for others in
  the world?
• Is your hope confident in Gods power and
  ability?
• Has your life be demonstrating that you are
  changed?
• Are you a committed leader, committed to Christ
  and the Church?
• Are you praying for the right things for others?
  For yourself?
• Do you show appreciation for Gods blessings He
  has given to you?

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Do you know Christ today as your Lord and Savior?