Sunday Morning Starters

Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
11 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

NKJV

Because of What He Did

Jesus has the "preeminence" because of what he did (Colossians 1:13-18).

1. Established a Kingdom (1:13)
2. Manifested God (1:13, 15)
3. Redeemed Us Through His Blood (1:14)
4. Created All Things (1:15)
5. Built a Church (1:18)
6. Rose from the Dead (1:18)

Jason Cicero

Because of Who He Is

Jesus has the "preeminence" because of who He is (Colossians 1:13-18).

1. The King (1:13)
2. The Son of His Love (1:13)
3. The Image of God (1:15)
4. The Firstborn Over All Creation (1:14)
5. The Creator (1:16)
6. Deity (1:17)
7. The Head of the Body, the Church (1:18)
8. The Beginning (1:18)
9. The Firstborn from the Dead (1:18)

Jason Cicero

The Preeminence of Christ

"And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence." (Colossians 1:18; NKJV)

Preeminence has to do with being first in rank or influence (Strong's), holding the first place (Thayer's), being first (Vine's).

Read Colossians 1:13-18 and consider the preeminence of Christ. Consider why He has the preeminence. Consider if He has the preeminence in your life.

Jason Cicero

Paul's Prayer for the Colossians

Paul prays for the Colossians in Colossians 1:9-12. His prayer concerns their spiritual life, their relationship with God, and their walk in Christ. Mediate on this prayer. Pray it for yourself. Pray it for others.

9 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;
10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

Jason Cicero

A Prayer of Thanksgiving for the Colossians

"We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven..." (Colossians 1:3-5; NKJV).

The Spirit led Paul and Timothy to give thanks for the Colossians in Colossians 1:3-5 for two reasons:

1. Their faith in Christ Jesus. They were convicted in their minds that He was the Anointed of God. They trusted Him to save them when they obeyed the gospel. They were about the business of surrendering their wills to His.

2. Their love for all the saints. They didn't just love one another. They loved all the saints. They loved saints they had never even seen in the flesh.

Put your faith in Christ Jesus. Love all the saints. Give thanks for "saints and faithful brethren in Christ" (Colossians 1:1).

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10; NKJV)

Hidden in My Heart

"For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where are you. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt." (Exodus 12:12-13; NKJV)

Hidden in My Heart

"Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You." (Jeremiah 32:17; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

Look up. It’s His day.

Look up. It’s His worship.

Look up. It’s His assembly.

Look up. Self gets too much attention.

Look up. At Him, not your neighbor.

Look up. You won’t go where you’re not aimed.

Jason Moore

Keep: My Part

Then Jesus said to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12; NJKV).

My Prayer: Keep me where the light is...

My Part

I am to attend carefully to His commandments. I am to observe His will. I am to keep my eye upon His loving desires for my life.

I am to "keep" His commandments (John 14:15). If I know Him, I will "keep" His commandments (1 John 2:3). I "keep" myself in His love through obedience to Him (Jude 21).

He will do His part. Will I do mine? "Keep me where the light is..."

Jason Cicero

Keep: His Part

Then Jesus said to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12; NJKV).

My Prayer: Keep me where the light is...

His Part

GOD "keeps" me. He watches over me. He guards me. He helps me avoid some things. He actively "keeps" His loving eye upon me.

He "keeps" me from the evil one (2 Thessalonians 3:3). He "keeps" what I've committed to Him (2 Timothy 1:12). He "keeps" me from stumbling (Jude 24).

He will do His part.

Jason Cicero

Keep: What We Are To Do

Then Jesus said to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12; NJKV).

My Prayer: Keep me where the light is...

What We Are To Do

Keep – tereo (tay-reh'-o); from teros (a watch); to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from NT:5442, which is properly to prevent escaping (Strong’s).

Thayer’s – to attend to carefully, take care of, to observe.

I am to "keep" His commandments (John 14:15).

If I know Him, I will "keep" His commandments (1 John 2:3).

I "keep" myself in His love through obedience to Him (Jude 21).

Jason Cicero

Keep: What He Does

Then Jesus said to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12; NJKV).

My Prayer: Keep me where the light is...

What He Does

Keep – phulasso (foo-las'-so); through the idea of isolation; to watch, i.e. be on guard (literally of figuratively); by implication, to preserve, obey, avoid (Strong’s).

Active, to guard (1) to watch, to keep watch (2) have an eye upon (3) to guard a person (or thing) that he may remain safe, i. e. lest he suffer violence, be despoiled, etc., to protect: (4) to guard, i. e. to care for, take care not to violate; to observe (Thayer’s)

He "keeps" me from the evil one (2 Thessalonians 3:3).

He "keeps" what I've committed to Him (2 Timothy 1:12).

He "keeps" me from stumbling (Jude 24).

Jason Cicero

Keep Me Where the Light Is

Then Jesus said to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12; NJKV).

My Prayer: Keep me where the light is...

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"For the wages of sin is death, but he gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

Greet a visitor.

Learn what’s-his-name’s name.

Take time for a little person.

Notice somebody who’s overlooked.

Say “thanks” to someone who needs it.

Jason Moore

Be Kind to One Another

Plummer says "kindness" refers to the "sympathetic kindliness or sweetness of temper which puts others at their ease, and shrinks from giving pain."

"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32; NKJV)

Four tough questions:

1. Do I act with kindness towards others?

2. Do others feel "at ease" in my presence?

3. Do others feel they can draw close to me?

4. Or do I with sharp words, cold shoulders, or arrogant condescension discourage others from feeling comfortable around me?

Jason Ciero

Jesus, Kindness, and Me

Plummer says "kindness" refers to the "sympathetic kindliness or sweetness of temper which puts others at their ease, and shrinks from giving pain."

I am to clothe myself with Christ: "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ..." (Romans 13:14; NKJV).

I am to put on kindness: "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness..." (Colossians 3:12; NKJV).

Jason Cicero