Message Notes

SPIRITUAL RETREAT

Theme: “Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You” Colossians 3:16

FOREWORD

Dear Brethren,

THE IDEA OF A SPIRITUAL RETREAT

Did the Lord Jesus Christ have “spiritual retreats for His disciples?”
Let us ponder the following texts.

1. “But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea.” Mark 3:7

2. And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” Mark 6:31

The above texts indicate that Jesus would especially take time out with His disciples for “spiritual retreats.”

ARE SPIRITUAL RETREATS IMPORTANT?

They are important for a good number of reasons.

1. Needed time out from regular work

2. A special time of learning deep and great spiritual truths

3. A time of refreshing of the soul

THIS SPIRITUAL RETREAT
(11-12 August 2017)
Theme: “Let the Word of Christ Dwell Richly in You”

We will be studying the Epistle of Colossians at this Retreat. Many precious lessons of how we may refresh our souls would be shared.
Let us look forward to a great time of learning how we may have the Word of Christ dwell in our hearts richly!
Let us humbly seek the Lord in prayer as we attend the Retreat!

1. May our hearts be refreshed!

2. May our souls be revived!

3. May we be challenged to learn how we may let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom!

Prayerfully,
Charles Tan

SPIRITUAL RETREAT

Theme: “Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You” Colossians 3:16

GOALS

1. Increase in knowledge about “The Word of Christ”

2. To deepen understanding as to how the Word of Christ may dwell in the heart

3. To study how Word of Christ would affect our faith, life and ministry

4. To be challenged to practise this concept of letting the Word of Christ dwell richly in the heart

A. COLOSSIAN CHURCH
Colossians 1:2

1. Saints (Colossians 1:2)

2. Faithful brethren (Colossians 1:2)

B. COMMENCEMENT OF FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
Colossians 1:1-6

1. Heard of your faith in Christ Jesus (Colossians 1:4a)

2. Love for all the saints (Colossians 1:4b)

3. Bearing fruit (Colossians 1:6)

C. CONTENT OF FAITH
Colossians 1:5-6
(Basic tenets only)

1. Hope laid up for you in heaven (Colossians 1:5a)

2. Word of truth in the gospel (Colossians 1:5b)

3. Knowing the grace of God in truth (Colossians 1:6)

D. COMMENDATION OF EPAPHRAS
Colossians 1:7-8

1. A dear fellow servant (Colossians 1:7a)

2. A faithful minister of Christ (Colossians 1:7b)

3. Sharing with Paul about their love in the Spirit (Colossians 1:8)

E. COMMITMENT OF PAUL TO PRAY

1. In thanksgiving to God (Colossians 1:3a)

2. Praying always (Colossians 1:3b, 9a)

F. CONTENT OF PAUL’S PRAYER
Colossians 1:9-14

1. To be filled with the knowledge of God’s will (Colossians 1:9a)

2. In all wisdom and spiritual understanding (Colossians 1:9b)

3. To walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him (Colossians 1:10a)

4. Being fruitful in every good work (Colossians 1:10b)

5. Increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10c)

6. Strengthened with all might (Colossians 1:11)

7. According to His glorious power (Colossians 1:11)

8. For all patience and longsuffering with joy (Colossians 1:11)

9. Giving thanks to the Father (Colossians 1:12)

a) Who have qualified us to be partakers
Of the inheritance of the saints in the light

b) Delivered from the power of darkness (Colossians 1:13a)

c) Conveyed into the kingdom of His Son (Colossians 1:13b)

d) In whom we have redemption through His blood (Colossians 1:14)

G. CHRIST JESUS EXTOLLED
Colossians 1:15-19

1. He is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15a)

2. The firstborn over all creation (Colossians 1:15b)

3. By Him all things were created (Colossians 1:16)

a) In heaven

b) On earth

c) Visible

d) Invisible

e) Thrones or dominions or principalities or powers

f) All things were created through Him and for Him

4. He is before all things (Colossians 1:17a)

5. And in Him all things consist (Colossians 1:17b)

6. He is the head of the body, the church (Colossians 1:18)

7. He is the beginning, the firstborn of the dead (Colossians 1:18)

8. In all things He may have the pre-eminence (Colossians 1:18)

9. In Him all the fullness should dwell (Colossians 1:19)

H. CHRIST’S MINISTRY REVIEWED
Colossians 1:20-22

1. Ministry of reconciliation (Colossians 1:20)

a) All things

b) On earth

c) In heaven

d) Effecting peace

2. Means of Reconciliation (Colossians 1:20)

a) Through His blood

b) On the cross

3. Mankind (Colossians 1:21)

a) Alienated

b) Enemies (mind)

c) Wickedness (works)

4. Marvellous reconciliation (Colossians 1:22)

a) Reconciled fully

b) In the body of His flesh through death

c) To present to God

i) As holy

ii) Blameless

iii) Above reproach in God’s sight