A Beautiful Local Church

Colossians 1:1-2 - A Beautiful Local Church

Colossians 1:1-2

INTRODUCTION

1.    Let us always be a beautiful local church.

2.    Describe the First Baptist of White Springs.

• Little white church
• Near Steven Foster National Park
• At times hear the bell tower play music.

3.    But I want to talk about the inside.

4.    I want us to be beautiful there.

5.    So I repeat...

FOCUS: Let us always be a beautiful local church.

Let Us Consider Three Elements From Colossians 1:1-2 Concerning a Beautiful Local Church.

ELEMENTS LIST

• A beautiful local Church has a leadership established by God, Colossians 1:1.
• A beautiful local Church has a membership faithful to God, Colossians 1:2.
• A beautiful local Church enjoys a supply available only from God, Colossians 1:2.

I.    First Element: A beautiful local Church has a leadership established by God, Colossians 1:1.

Colossians 1:1 (KJV) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,

A.    Two named

1.    Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ

2.    Timotheus our brother

a.    The letter is sent with Apostolic Authority.

b.    The letter is also sent with brotherly warmth.

B.    By the will of God

(Let us see what Paul says in Galatians 1:15-16.)

Galatians 1:15 (KJV) But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,

Galatians 1:16 (KJV) To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

1.    Set aside by God

2.    Speaking for God

C.    Leadership established by God

ILLUSTRATION: 

• I am reading a book my Kevin gave me.
• 7 Practices of Effective Ministry
• One of the chapters is titled, "The Best-Laid Plans."
• I thought as I read the chapter title, the best laid plan is to follow the plan God has established.
• Let me reiterate.
• We need to follow God's plan.
• It is perfect and cannot be improved.
• It is best and cannot be made better.
• We can only do better at following it. 
• That plan begins with a leadership established by God.
• And then...

II.    Second Element: A beautiful local Church has a membership faithful to God, Colossians 1:2.

Colossians 1:2 (KJV) To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

A.    Recipients

B.    Saints

C.    Faithful brethren

D.    In Christ

E.    Localized - at Colosse

ILLUSTRATION

• Doctor Shoemaker says, and I paraphrase, "You have heard everything rises or falls on leadership. But things also rise or falls on follow-ship.
• I want to praise you in your follow-ship.
• I have not reason to doubt that you love Christ Jesus our Lord.
• I have no reason to doubt that you are practicing the faith even in this area.
• I know that as a leaders, a pastor, I desire your prayers that I would do better as a leader and as a follower.
• I also desire that you improve.
• Why?
• Because a beautiful local church has a membership faithful to God.

REITERATION:

• A beautiful local church has a leadership established by God.
• It has a membership faithful to God.
• An then...

III.    Third Element: A beautiful local Church enjoys a supply available only from God, Colossians 1:2.

Colossians 1:2 (KJV) To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

A.    Supply 

Philippians 4:18 (KJV) But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

Philippians 4:19 (KJV) But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

B.    Grace from above.

• Saving grace
• Daily grace
• Sufficient grace

C.    Peace from above.

• From God
• With God
• With others
• Within 

D.    God our Father

E.    Lord Jesus Christ

REITERATION: A beautiful local Church enjoys a supply available only from Deity,

ELEMENTS LIST

• A beautiful local Church has a leadership established by God.
• A beautiful local Church has a membership faithful to God.
• A beautiful local Church enjoys a supply available only from God.

REFOCUS: If we possess these three elements we will be a beautiful local church. .

EXALT JESUS: How does this exalt Christ?

• This world needs Jesus.
• The only way he will be seen is in us.
• When we follow the plan God laid out, we will place Jesus where He belongs.
• The world will  see clearer what Jesus is like.
• He will be exalted.

VISION: What if..?

• Touch...
• Us
• Neighbors
• World

CHALLENGE: What is the challenge for us?

The World's Bible 

Annie Johnson Flint

https://www.preceptaustin.org/annies_poems

PRAYER: How might we pray?

• That we might find our function in the local church.
• That we might do it faithfully.

One Big Thing: One Thing You Will Commit To Doing Right Away.

Photo my Amarillo