Here are my notes for the first in a three part series called: Is It Relative - Living Morally in an Amoral World.

The PDF of the note can be downloaded (Click Here) 

The audio podcast link should be in the sidebar on the right of this post. 

The book I recommend can be purchased by clicking on here: The New Tolerance

Is It Relative? Living morally in an amoral world.

Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

• Joh 18:38 Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" ...
• People have been asking that question throughout all time, and today as much as ever
• We have more information available than ever thought possible, yet are no closer to knowing what is true.
• This series is about Relativism – Truth relativism and moral relativism
  • Is there objective truth – is it true to say Jesus is the only way to have eternal life? Or are there as many ways to truth as there are people?
  • Is there objective morality – is it valid to say there are absolute standards of right and wrong? Or is right & wrong determined by our society or as individuals?

Intro Series

• Two huge challenges
  • Christians struggling to live right
  • How to answer our culture that says everything's right
• These challenges are more connected than we may like to admit
• We will never be able to answer those around us who claim there is no “right or wrong” if we are not able to live a life that demonstrates a belief in right and wrong
  • Or as an advocate of gay marriage said, “Christians can't deny “us” marriage until they deny themselves divorce – since they say it's about the sanctity of marriage.”
  • Although that statement is simplistic, and not relevant to the issue of redefining marriage – it does call us to account
  • How do you answer a person who says it's okay to have sex outside marriage, if you had, or are having sex outside marriage?
    • Or you laugh at it when you watch it displayed in a TV sitcom?
    • Or the movie that you say you love, was filled with fornication?
    • Or you listen and rave about songs that parade the misuse of sexuality?
• Likewise – our struggle to live according to the Biblical standard of purity is made VERY difficult by our culture.
  • We are bombarded by the things of this world – they affect us
  • Advertising, media, internet, all bombard us with images, ideas and opinions
  • We are not swimming upstream, we are against an avalanche.

What Is Relativism

• Is a/the prominent philosophy or ideology of our day
• Points of view have no absolute truth or validity, having only relative, subjective value according to differences in perception and consideration. Truth is always relative to some particular frame of reference, such as a language or a culture. What is right or wrong for you is not for me, or others. No Absolutes.
  
• Relativism is sometimes interpreted as saying that all points of view are equally valid, in contrast to an absolutism which argues there is but one true and correct view.
  
• Relativism asserts that a particular instance Y exists only in combination with or as a by-product of a particular framework or viewpoint X, and that no framework or standpoint is uniquely privileged over all others.
  
• Relativism is not skepticism. Skepticism superficially resembles relativism, because they both doubt absolute notions of truth. However, whereas skeptics go on to doubt all notions of truth, relativists want to replace absolute truth with a positive theory of relative truth. For the relativist, there is no more to truth than a personal or cultural belief, so for them there is a lot of truth in the world.
  
• GK Chesterton "When people stop believing in God, they don't believe in nothing -- they believe in anything."

Classic arguments against relativism:

1. Contradiction - Relativism inherently contradicts or refutes itself: the statement "all is relative" classes either as a relative statement or as an absolute one. If it is relative, then this statement does not rule out absolutes. If the statement is absolute, on the other hand, then it provides an example of an absolute statement, proving that not all truths are relative.
2. Natural Law – Simply put, the physical universe works under basic principles: the "Laws of Nature" which demonstrate that absolutes exist in nature and therefore exist in morals and ideas. Gravity, etc.
3. Corruption – Relativism undermines morality, resulting in the breakdown of social bonds between an individual and their community ties, with fragmentation of social identity and rejection of self-regulatory values.
   1. Relativism denies that harming others is wrong in any absolute sense. The majority of relativists, of course, consider it immoral to harm others, but relativist theory allows for the opposite belief.
   2. In short, if an individual can believe it wrong to harm others, he can also believe it right–no matter what the circumstances.
4. Negation - If everyone with differing opinions is right, then no one is. Thus instead of saying "all beliefs (ideas, truths, etc.) are equally valid," one might just as well say "all beliefs are equally worthless".
5. Impossible to be wrong – Finally some forms of relativism make it impossible to believe one is in error. If there is no truth beyond an individual's belief that something is true, then an individual cannot hold their own beliefs to be false or mistaken.

Respect and tolerance vs. Relativism

• The New Tolerance, Josh McDowell book.
  • Tolerance no longer means you treat with respect those you disagree with
  • You must ACCEPT what they believe as being equally true as what you believe
  • Anything less is considered intolerance, arrogant and even criminal.
• This is Relativism implimented
  • Not only is it wrong, but it isn't even helpful
  • It is contradictory and simplistic
  • It actually DE-VALUES people, rather than valuing.
  • It is an arrogant reaction against arrogance.
• Tolerance is to respectfully treat those you disagree with, valuing them as individuals but being willing to discuss and debate ideas, beliefs and behaviors in a way that is motivated by love and demonstrates love.
• 1Pe 3:8-9 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; (9) not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
• 1Pe 3:13-17 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? (14) But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "AND DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THEIR THREATS, NOR BE TROUBLED." (15) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (16) having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. (17) For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Where Are You Looking?

• What is the source of your ideas, information, feelings?
• This question is really at the heart of this series and this idea.
• What we look to defines us. It is impossible to be unaffected by what you see and hear
  • Some things we have no control over
  • You and I have a great amount of control. We must accept this responsibility.
• Heb 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (2) looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
  • As Christ followers we must look to Jesus
    • The author – initiator, leader, captian
    • And finisher – completer, the one who brings us to full maturity
    • To determine what we believe & how we behave.

Next two weeks

• Delve more deeply into the Biblical response to Relativism
• Look at how our behaviors are affected by this influence, and how to live Christ-like in a very non Christ-like world
• Discuss the verses that are commonly used as a defense of Relativism – and talk about certain issues that are relative.

Here are my notes for the final segment of the FILLED! sermon series.  Although the messages went well, I was not able to cover all the information in either service.  I think the notes also give the info in a more orderly meaningful way.  You can listen to the message and download the notes as a PDF by clicking here.

Final segment of our FILLED! Series

1 Corinthians 12:1 NKJV “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:”

• 1 Corinthians 12:1 AMP NOW ABOUT the spiritual gifts (the special endowments of supernatural energy), brethren, I do not want you to be misinformed.
• This is about spiritual gifts, in fact the word “gifts” isn't used in this verse – it just says concerning “spiritual, or supernatural, or divine” - so this is not speaking of natural talents or abilities but supernatural things.
• Chpts 12 – 14 deal with how to use these gifts in the context of a Church meeting
  • Paul's intent was to help bring fruitful order to the Corinthian church
  • We can learn about how these gifts are to operate both in a church meeting and in general – understanding this setting (in church meetings) helps us understand some of the things Paul says better.
  • All of the gifts are also to function in a believers life outside of Church meetings – in fact that is where they are to be most active!

Spiritual Gift lists: (“God is in the list, but the list does not CONTAIN God...” ~ B. Johnson?)

Romans 12:6-8 NKJV Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; (7) or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; (8) he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Ephesians 4:11-12 NKJV And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, (12) for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

1 Corinthians 12:5-11 NKJV (5) There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. (6) And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. (7) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: (8) for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, (9) to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, (10) to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. (11) But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

• There are actually over 20 different spiritual gifts identified in the NT, but today we will limit our talk to the verses in 1 Corinthians.
• “ministries, activities, manifestations”: all words used to describe the supernatural activities that are the expressions of the “spiritual gifts” we are given.
  • “Gifts” = “charisma” from which we get the term “Charismatic”
  • All of the gifts have the same source – the Holy Spirit, and therefore are intended to be used according to His purposes and His character (fruit)
  • It is not accidental that chpt 12 & 14 which talk about the gifts surrounds chapter 13 – which talks about the greatest Fruit of the Spirit
    • The fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit are to be intertwined and interdependent
  • Vs 7: “to each one” = every believer has supernatural gifts. No exception.
    • You may be unaware of yours, or uninformed – but if you have the Spirit, you are empowered.
  • Being filled with the Spirit
    • All of the gifts are available – because He is in you
    • Yet, He gives you particular gifts that He has appointed you to function in and based upon your unique calling.
    • Gifts are different than “offices” which refers to someone who functions “full-time” in a particular ministry with a high level of effectiveness & power
    • Gifts =/= character, or sign of God's approval, they are merely abilities that God has distributed with the intention that they be used, “for the profit of all.”
  • 1 Corinthians 14:1 NKJV (1) Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. -- We are to actively seek both the fruit and the gifts of the Spirit

What Are Tongues?

• We will discuss tongues in depth
  • Most basic yet misunderstood. If you understand tongues, the other gifts are easier to understand. Like math – if you understand addition, you can understand multiplication and division. But if you don't get addition – you'll never get the rest.
  • The whole of chp 14 is about tongues, and its use in corporate meetings.
• Major points:
  • Tongues are a personal spiritual language
    • Although at times the miracle of speaking an unlearned human language occurs, that is not the meaning of tongues
      • 1 Corinthians 14:2 NKJV (2) For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
      • Vs. 10 & 11, Paul compares tongues to human languages and uses a different Greek word. Basically he's saying without interpretation speaking in tongues is like someone who speaks a different language.
      • Acts 2, IMHO, is best understood this way:
        • Acts 2:4 NKJV And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
          • The apostles were speaking in tongues – a heavenly language
        • Acts 2:6 NKJV And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.
          • Each individual heard (gift of interpretation) in their own language simultaneously
          • This makes more sense. That is why there was confusion, not that people were speaking a language, but that everyone heard in their own language at the same time. How could everyone understand without an interpreter – The Holy Spirit gave them all the interpretation.
    • 1 Corinthians 13:1 NKJV (1) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
      • Tongues is likely the language of Angels!
    • 1 Corinthians 14:4 NKJV (4) He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
      • Tongues is for personal edification – building up yourself spiritually
      • This is why it is thought of the “least of the gifts” not in that it is least needed, but least useful in edifying others in a public meeting.
    • 1 Corinthians 14:14 NKJV (14) For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
      • It is direct communication from your spirit to God
      • It bypasses the filtering of your mind and “understanding”
      • “I pray” and “my spirit prays” = Holy Spirit does not “take over” your body!!!
      • I is something you do, not dependent upon outside stimulus...
      • I believe this is CRITICAL for every believer
      • God would not withhold this vital gift from anyone
    • 1 Corinthians 14:5 NKJV (5) I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
      • This is not merely Paul's wish – this is inspired Scripture. God wishes “you all spoke with tongues.”
      • Tongues edifies you spiritually and enables you to grow so that you can function in other gifts that minister to the congregation
      • Paul boasted 1 Corinthians 14:18 NKJV (18) “I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;”
      • I don't think God would withhold this gift from any believer.
    • The limitations put on tongues is for the sake of public meetings – so that the focus is on the building up of the whole
      • That is what is meant in1 Corinthians 12:10 NKJV (10) to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
        And in 1 Corinthians 12:30 NKJV (30) Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
      • In a public setting, not all have tongues, in fact it is only used with interpretation, but the personal prayer language is meant for all.
      • This ALSO gives us an understanding of the purpose of Church meetings
      • They are not for the personal ministry of YOUR gifts, so that you personally can “get something for yourself.” That is contrary to the heart of the Spirit.
      • Church meetings are to be structured so that the whole – the group, the community, the body – is edified, not as a showcase for personal gifts.
    • 1 Corinthians 14:28 NKJV (28) But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.
      • We should not have tongues without interpretation in a public setting.
        • It does not forbid the use of personal tongues during a worship service
        • In fact “let him speak to himself and to God.” means exactly that, the person is to keep the tongue quiet and between him/her and God. Not raising the voice for all to hear, or in our day, coming up to the microphone.
  • Paul's conclusion:
    • 1 Corinthians 14:15 NKJV (15) What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
      • Paul says the BEST practice is to do both
      • Pray and sing in the spirit, and with understanding

Japan 2011 Mission

 

I'm sure we will never forget the impact the early reports from the earthquake and tsunami in Japan had upon us.  Latest figures state that this multiple disaster caused 15,824 deaths, destroyed 45,700 buildings and damaged another 144,300 buildings. There are still many tens of thousands living in damaged homes and temporary housing.  The entire nation continues to suffer quietly as they function on limited electrical power forcing factories to limit operations and workers to suffer drastic pay reductions.

Late in 2010, long before this disaster, I felt the Lord prompting me to return again to Japan to minister.  I felt clearly that I was to bring along my wife, Kathie and our two boys, William (12) and Lewis (10) as we had done several years ago.  I decided to obey this calling and began to plan the trip.  Then the disaster hit.  At first I thought that I should not go and just send money to help.  But as I prayed I felt that I should go "all the more."  That the best way to communicate our love and commitment would be to go and help.

So we're going to Japan and this post is to update you on our plan and to ask that you do two things.  First PRAY for us and those in Japan and secondly PAY for us to get there by donating funds for this mission trip!  This will be my sixth trip to minister in Japan.  Taking four of us will cost significantly more than in the past and our need for funds requires me to ask for your support.  The total cost for just my family will be close to $12,000.  (Praise God and thank everyone for their support, we have raised the entire amount.)  The total cost for the entire team going from New Day will be around $25,000.

My family will leave Michigan the day after I turn 50 and will arrive in Tokyo on Kathie's 50th birthday!  We will meet up with Pastor Dennis & Kaku Sager from Hope International Fellowship.  We initially had planned to do ministry in the Tokyo area but instead will spend a day in Tokyo and then go to the Sager's town.  While there we will minister at Hope International on Sunday 11/20/11 and assist them in preparing the relief supplies that we will take to the tsunami affected area.

On Monday the Sagers, some members from their church, and our family will travel to Yokohama to pick up the rest of the team from New Day Community Church.  We will then drive up to the Sendai region where we will stay.  With the people from the Japan church, we will have a team of 29 people going to do relief work!  Just bringing a team to stay in one of the local hotels is a form of relief as Japan has seen a 50% drop in tourism since the disaster.  We will spend all of Tuesday cooking hot food and handing out blankets.  This region has a climate almost as harsh as Michigan in winter and they desperately need blankets and hot food.  We are also going to partner with Samaritan's Purse and do cleaning and restoration work while we are there.  We will also be handing out copies of "The Father's Love Letter" and ministering in prayer and worship.  Late Wednesday we will head back to Yokohama and overnight there.  On Thursday we will arrive in Ohito where the Sagers live.  Friday, Saturday and Sunday will include prayer walking and ministry at our sister church in Japan, Hope International.

On Monday 11/28/11 the entire team returns to Tokyo airport to depart for the USA. Already our international association Partners In Harvest and Every Nations Church in Japan has donated funds for the relief supplies.  THANK YOU for praying and donating to this mission. We have raised the money needed for the trip and are all excited about ministering in Japan and seeing our friends again.  Pray that we will have good weather and opportunities to share the love of Christ to those we serve.

I will try to add update before and during the trip to our Facebook page: facebook.com/wrightmissions

God bless and thank you.

- Cameron

FILLED part 2

Here are my notes for part two of the FILLED! series.
Click here to download PDF

Week 2 – (Thomsons #1123) Spiritual Fullness – what does it mean, what does it require, what does it look like?

Fve characteristics of being “Spiritually Full” (not complete, but a good start...)

One: Overflowing Cup

Psalms 23:5-6 NKJV You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. (6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

Psalms 23:5-6 MSG You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. (6) Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of GOD for the rest of my life.

• What does this mean?
  • Anointing = poured upon
    • Spiritual blessing, and selection – being chosen, called out, special & unique
  • Overflow: “My cup runs over” = overflow, being filled up inside until it flows over and out! So much spiritual blessing and such an understanding of your unique IDENTITY in God, that it overflows changing you, your environment & your community!
  • Cup = your physical body, “2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
• What does this require?
  • Matthew 23:25 NKJV "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 NKJV (3) For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; (4) that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, (5) not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; (6) that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. (7) For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. (8) Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.
• It is vital that we have our vessels ready to be filled
  • This requires us to empty ourselves of substitutes for what God desires to fill us with – anything that is contrary to the “anointing” - our blessing and our IDENTITY
• What does it look like?
  • “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” = Victory!
  • “Goodness and mercy shall follow me” or MSG, “our beauty and love chase after me every day”
  • “I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever” - secure dwelling in God's presence

Two: Material Blessing

Malachi 3:8-10 NKJV "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. (9) You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. (10) Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.

• What does this mean?
  • God's promise is blessing, spiritual and natural – so much it cannot be contained!!!
  • 2 Corinthians 9:8-11 NKJV (8) And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. (9) As it is written: "HE HAS DISPERSED ABROAD, HE HAS GIVEN TO THE POOR; HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER." (10) Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, (11) while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.
  • This is speaking about MATERIAL blessing
  • Only seeking material blessing is wrong, but denying it, or ignoring it is equally wrong!
  • God desires our inside and our outside to be FILLED – OVERFLOWING
• What does this require?
  • “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse”
  • Withholding “tithes and offerings” is robbing God and brings a curse -
    • Curse = a self imposed obstacle that hinders you from receiving the BLESSING
  • Bringing your Tithe = 10% of income “into the storehouse (local church)
  • And Offerings = all the other ways we give to God (missions, alms, etc.)
• What does this look like? What does the promise look like (not the curse)
  • 2 Cor. 9 - “all sufficiency,” “an abundance,” “enriched in everything for all liberality”
  • Mal 3, “open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it”

Three: Joy

John 15:11 NKJV "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

• John 15:11 MSG "I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature.
• John 15:11 AMP I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing.
• 1 Peter 1:8-9 NKJV whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice (lit. “jump for joy”) with joy inexpressible and full of glory, (9) receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

• What does this mean?
  • “My (Jesus') joy may remain in you,” or “My joy might be your joy”
    • Jesus would continue to have joy and delight in us... we would be His joy and He would be our joy!
    • OR Jesus' joy in us is a supernatural transference His Joy injected into us.
  • To the point that our Joy is full, mature, complete & overflowing
  • Think of a moment when you had intense Joy... now multiply that supernaturally
• What does this require?
  • John 15:9-10 ESV As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. (10) If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.
    • Abide in Jesus' love
    • Keep Jesus' commandment
  • 1 Peter 1:8, ... Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice
• What does it look like?
  • “Jump for joy” with joy inexpressible!!!
  • What does that look like?

Four: Fullness of God

Ephesians 3:19 NKJV to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

• What does this mean?
  • “Filled” = From G4134; to make replete, that is, (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.: - accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.
  • Ephesians 3:19 AMP [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!
• What does this require?
  • This is Paul's prayer for you... in one sense there is not a condition – its what Paul prayed... and because its Scripture this is what God desires for you
  • Ephesians 3:17 NKJV that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
    • Christ dwelling in our hearts through faith must come first
    • This is God's desire for you and I, and for every one
• What does this look like?
  • Colossians 2:9-10 NKJV For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; (10) and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
  • Being Christ-like. Living, speaking, thinking, acting, feeling LIKE JESUS!!!
  • Christ is the fullness of the Godhead bodily. But this verse in Ephesians says that is for you and I – for all who believe...
    • We have as much of God in us as Jesus had... because we get it in Christ.

Five: Knowledge and wisdom

Colossians 1:9 NKJV For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

• What does this mean?
  • Ephesians 1:17-19 NKJV that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, (18) the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, (19) and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power

• What does this require?
  • Colossians 1:12 NKJV giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
  • It is a gift – RECEIVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• What does it look like?
  • You know what to do.
  • You know how to find the answer,
  • Colossians 3:16 NKJV Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
  • Every answer to every question.
  • God has no limits, maybe you don't know at this moment the answer but the promise is fullness to overflowing of knowledge of His will, wisdom and spiritual understanding!