This is Vision for Christ World, Toledo, Ohio, USA. My name is Tim Taylor. Why do Christians go to church? If you are not a Christian, you may think they go to gain the approval of God or to have a church name added to their employment resume for appearances. Actually, true believers in Jesus Christ go to church out of gratitude to God for their salvation and eternal life that God gave them freely in exchange for a genuine, committed life of faith. Christians attend church because they love God, and so therefore they love each other. Today we will look at an ancient church in a town called Colossae, in what is now western Turkey. A four-chapter letter from the Apostle Paul was written to this church and its people, the New Testament Book of Colossians. On the program, I will be reading a few selected portions of this Bible book. Father God, let me show everyone who you really are and reveal your only Son, Jesus Christ, to those who are listening. Praying in the name of Jesus, amen. Our Vision for Christ broadcast began as a shortwave broadcast from a Florida radio facility to Sub-Saharan Africa. This is still our primary audience. We have since expanded to Asia and Europe on AM medium wave radio, FM local area radio, as well as on shortwave radio. Our website address www.vision4christworld.com. You may contact us through our website at www.visionforchristworld.com. Just click on Contact at the top of the main page. Here are some selected portions of Colossians chapter 1. We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you have for all the saints. Your faith and love have arisen from the hope laid up for you in heaven, which you have heard about in the message of truth, the gospel that has come to you. Just as in the entire world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, So it has also been bearing fruit and growing among you from the first day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth. For this reason we also, from the day we heard about you, have not ceased praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may live worthily of the Lord and please Him in all respects. God delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For all things in heaven and on earth were created in Him. All things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or powers, all things were created through Jesus and for Him. Jesus himself is before all things, and all things are held together in him. Now, I have a comment here. People usually think about Jesus walking around on earth, healing and teaching, and later willingly hanging and dying on a cross of execution to provide the payment of the debt of sin for every human who would ever sincerely accept him and truly believe in Jesus. Not just facts about Jesus, but really placing your trust in Jesus to give these people eternal life. In this last verse I read, though, Jesus is the sustainer and the one who holds all matter together. This verse teaches both science fact and a point of faith. Jesus provides the cohesion for everything there is. Without the universal power of Jesus, the earth and all the planets would disintegrate. Jesus was with God, the Father, at the time of creation, and Jesus still actively maintains all matter in the universe. Now, back to our text in Colossians. Jesus is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in the Son, and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross, through him whether things on earth or things in heaven. And you were at one time strangers and enemies in your minds as expressed through your evil deeds, but now he has reconciled you by his physical body through death to present you holy, without blemish, and blameless before him, if indeed you remain in the faith, established and firm, without shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has also been preached in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become its servant." Now, some selected portions of Colossians chapter 3. Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him. So, put to death whatever in your nature belongs to the earth—sexual immorality, impurity, shameful passion, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. You also lived your lives in this way at one time, when you used to live among them. But now put off all such things as anger, rage, malice, slander, abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with its practices, and have been clothed with the new man that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it. Here, there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and in all. Now, again, a comment from me. Many parts of our world today have conflicts over race and racism. Within the Church, among true Christians, we see that ethnic origins or life backgrounds do not matter at all. True Christians are bound together in common by love—the love that comes from God, which enables true Christians to genuinely love each other. Now, back to the Bible. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another, and forgiving one another. If someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else, Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others. And to all these virtues add love, which is the perfect bond. Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart, for you were in fact called as one body to this peace. And be thankful. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace, in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Wives, submit to your husbands as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become disheartened. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in every respect, not only when they are watching, like those who are strictly people-pleasers, but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people, because you know that you will receive your inheritance from the Lord as a reward. serve the Lord Jesus Christ, for the one who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there are no exceptions. Now Selected Portions of Colossians chapter 4. Masters, treat your slaves with justice and fairness, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving, and at the same time pray for us too, that God may open a door for the message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may make it known as I should. Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone. Tychicus, a dear brother, faithful minister, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are doing, and that he may encourage your hearts. I sent him with Onesimus, the faithful and dear brother who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here. Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, about whom you receive instructions. If he comes to you, welcome him. And Jesus, who is called Justice, also sends greetings. In terms of Jewish converts, these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you and a slave of Christ, greets you. He is always struggling in prayer on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I can testify that He has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Heropolis. Our dear friend Luke, the physician, and Demas greet you. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters who are in Laodicea and Nympha and the church that meets in her house. And after you have read this letter, have it read to the church in Laodicea. In turn, read the letter from Laodicea as well. And tell Archippus, see to it that you complete the ministry you received in the Lord. I, Paul, write this greeting by my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. That concludes the Bible quoted portions of the Bible book of Colossians. Notice how the Apostle Paul writes his letter to the church meeting in Colossae in such a friendly way. Note that Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter, because it was not legal then to teach about Jesus and how to be saved from the flames of hell and delivered into a glorious, peaceful, eternal life in heaven. Now let me pray for you. Father God, in the name of your one and only unique Son, Jesus Christ, I ask you to send your Holy Spirit to touch the heart and mind of every person listening to me right now. Cause them to desire to have their sins taken away, to pray and ask to be granted repentance that leads to life by God, and to repent of their sins. Honestly, sincerely repent. to have that penalty for sin removed, so that through the faith you give them, they may believe in you, Jesus, and have eternal, never-ending life, starting today, by having personal, saving faith in you, Lord Jesus. Amen. Please get paper and pen ready to write down the web address of Vision for Christ World so you may contact us. The purpose of this program is to spread the message of what Jesus Christ has done to provide salvation for people as they believe in Jesus. Our Vision for Christ broadcast began as a shortwave broadcast from a Florida radio facility to Sub-Saharan Africa. This is still our primary audience. We have since expanded to Asia and Europe on AM medium wave radio, FM local area radio, as well as on shortwave radio. Our website address, www.visionforchristworld.com. Until the next broadcast, this is Tim Taylor, praying the great blessings of God with joy and peace upon your life as you embrace Jesus Christ in personal saving faith. I will leave you today with this text from Colossians 3, 1-4. Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him.