Sunday Mornings at Cool Spring: Recent Episodes
Cool Spring Baptist Church
FAITHFUL: A Timely Study in Colossians
Faithful is a study in Colossians. Remaining faithful is Paul's message to the church. He warns believers about false teachers while encouraging them to pray, walk, make relationships work, and how to cross the finish line. In all this, Paul reminds them of Christ's preeminence. This timely series speaks to life today and how we can live the gospel faithfully.
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:3-14 ESV
The Prayer (The What)
[1] Filled with the knowledge of His will
While God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Hebrews 2:4 ESV
[2] In all spiritual wisdom and understanding
The Result (The Why)
[1] That you walk in a manner worthy fully pleasing to Him
[2] Bearing fruit in every good work
[3] Increasing in the knowledge of God
[4] Strengthened with all power (according to his glorious might) for endurance and patience with joy
[5] Giving thanks
A Prayer Experiment
For the next 30 days, choose five people that you’ll pray for daily. Ask God to fill each one with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so that each would walk a manner worthy, bear fruit, increase in knowledge, strengthened for endurance, and give thanks.
I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. 7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you. Philemon 4-7 ESV
What refreshes?
1. The testimony of Jesus followers
2. The demonstration of caring
3. Loving God and others
4. Healthy reciprocal relationships (10-12)
5. Doing from the heart rather than a compulsory act (14)
6. Practiced obedience (21)
7. Living more than just enough (21)
8. A common faith in community (23-24)
How do you personally refresh?
How will you refresh another?
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:14-17 ESV
What do we learn about action?
[1] There's an imperative to act.
[2] Meaningful and thoughtful action follows a belief.
[3] Failure to act has its consequences.
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
James 4:17 ESV
What do you believe?
What action do you need to take?
A defining moment is an experience that changes what follows.
Failure is the lack of a perceived success. Failure is the inability to achieve a specific goal or action.
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” John 21:15-19 ESV
How does Peter’s experience inform us?
[1] Never say never.
[2] Jesus forgives completely.
[3] Without revisiting yesterday’s failure, you cannot step into the future God has for you today.
[4] Through failure, you learn what’s really important.
[5] Jesus fully restores.
[6] You walk with Jesus for clarity.
[7] You're not just forgiven but given.
Defining moments are meant to lived and not forgotten.
Scripture Reference: John 7:53 - 8:11
What is a defining moment? A defining moment is an experience that changes what follows.
53 [[They went each to his own house, 1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" 11 She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more."]] John 7:53-8:11 ESV
Treat others not as objects, but as fellow human beings created in the image of God.
Examine your own heart, motives, and sinfulness before you accuse or condemn another.
Jesus is both a rescuer and a life-giver.
Scripture Reference 2 Corinthians 8:1-7
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. 6 Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. 7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 ESV
What is the test?
A test is an opportunity to express the character of your faith.
What is faith?
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 ESV
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you. 13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, "I believed, and so I spoke," we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:7-19 ESV
The Given Grace
[1] Tell the stories.
[2] You have a grace given.
[3] What is your opportunity to express the character of your faith?
[4] Live the given grace.
Scripture Reference: Mark 16:1-8
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?" Mark 16:1-3 ESV
And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you." 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Mark 16:4-8 ESV
What do we learn from the Resurrection Day for this season?
The resurrection is the illustration of the power of God
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith." Romans 1:16-17 ESV
The resurrection reveals the intentionality of God
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6 ESV
The resurrection expresses the love of God
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16-17 ESV
The resurrection is the reminder of the presence of God
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11 ESV
The Resurrection is a Story about Trust
That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness." 23 But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. Romans 4:22-25 ESV
How do you pray in disruption? From Moses to Paul, there are numerous examples of how we should pray in the unknows of crisis. This talk focuses on what to pray during a personal disruption.
Scripture Reference: 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 ESV
How do you pray through disruption?
[1] A time to cry out
Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? Psalm 10:1 ESV
[2] Pray forgiven
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah 5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah Psalm 32:1-5 ESV
[3] Intercede for others
see John 17
[4] Pray His will
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 ESV
[5] Pray His provision
Give us this day our daily bread, Matthew 6:11 ESV
[6] Pray for your leaders
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV
[7] Plea for renewal and revival
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 1 Timothy 1:15 ESV
[8] Ask God to show His glory
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV
having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. Ephesians 1:18-21 ESV
When do you praise? Sometimes you feel like, and to honest, sometimes you don't. Praise isn't confined to a building or a particular sacred space. Praise is about faith, is declared, and is lived. This talk is about the necessity of praise and its practice, regardless of where you find yourself in life.
Scripture Reference: Acts 16:25-26
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. Acts 16:24-26a ESV
What I’ve Learned about Praise
Praise is belief, declared and lived.
[1] Praise recalibrates life
In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to your mountain, 2 for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; 3 if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” 4 The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man. 5 The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. 6 Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup .7 For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face. Psalm 11:1-7 ESV
[2] Praise glorified God and strengthens faith
No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Roman 4:20-21 ESV
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11
[3] Praise reminds me that happiness and joy are not determined by circumstance
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Psalm 42:11 ESV
[4] Praise is practice for that day
How will I praise today?
Disruption is a disturbance or problem which interrupts events, activities, or life. We now live in what may become the most significant disruption of our time. How will you live well through the disruption? What does faith look like in this time of disorder? My goal through this talk series is to create a path for hope, intentionality, and greater intimacy with God. Join me each week at www.coolspring.org or csbc.info.
This talk is somewhat personal. It's where God has brought me these last weeks. I am pondering and meditating on three specific passages. Each passage is like a marker on the path, with each marker giving way to the next. What are those markers? It's about living practically, intentionally, and with intimacy. I'll look at some practical applications for this week as we live in the disruption.
Scripture Reference: 2 Timothy 1:7, Ephesians 5:15-16 and Psalm 43:10
Jesus taught His disciples a parable to demonstrate to them that they should always pray and not give up. George Mueller's formula for prayer stated, "It is not enough to begin to pray, nor to pray aright; nor is it enough to continue for a time to pray; but we must patiently, believing, continue in prayer until we obtain an answer." This talk explores the power of persevering prayer and encourages us not to give up.
Scripture Reference: Luke 18:1-8
What do you say when you pray? Speaking Scripture back to God is a meaningful way to pray. This talk informs about the significance of praying Scripture as well as some practical steps in how to pray.
Scripture Reference: Acts 4:24-26
Hi, God is about the conversation between the believer and God. We will look at the heart and the practice of the one praying. How do we view God? When do we pray? What do we seek when we pray? These are all simple questions with complicated answers. The goal is to address each question to foster greater intimacy in the believer's prayer life.
This weekend, I'm sharing about one of the essential aspects of prayer, which is reverence. Malachi informs us, "Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name." There's a unique relationship between reverence and hearing. I'm going to unpack this principle.