Message Notes

THE NEED FOR ENCOURAGEMENT

1. We all need to be encouraged

2. Understood and demonstrated by the Apostle Paul

a. As he wrote to the Colossians

b. His purpose of writing: to encourage their hearts

3. A positive and powerful word of encouragement: we are complete in Him

WE ARE COMPLETE IN HIM

1. The idea of “fullness” is intended

a. Fullness in every aspect

b. Enriched in every way

c. There is nothing that we lack

2. We are made complete

a. It is the work of the Lord

i. He is the head of all principality and power

ii. In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily

b. It is a perfect work

INVITATION

Everybody is invited

Whether old or young

THE PARABLE OF THE WEDDING FEAST

A king who had a wedding feast for his son

Huge feast –

Invited people – but also those in the highways and byways

The poor, the maim, the lame and the blind

He gave them new clothes

They can stay at the feast for however long they want

Illustrating this from my own testimony

1. Over the past three years

a. We thought we gave up much to be in ministry

b. But it is actually the opposite – we are given everything we could possibly need

c. We begin understand what it means to be filled in Christ

i. Wisdom and understanding

ii. Life, energy and joy

iii. Faith, hope and love

d. In Christ, we have lacked nothing – He has given to us everything we need

e. One special thing the Lord gives: We see His love being poured out again and again

i. Through the church, through different people

ii. Even amidst times when I almost like giving up

f. Through these, I begin to see the fullness of life and love I can have in Christ

2. Now as an I-P

a. It has been two weeks as an Intern-Pastor

b. To be honest, one emotion that I felt in the past week: fear

c. Fear because I remembered other individuals who have made it past the Student years, only to come up short as an Intern Pastor

d. One encouraging text: we are in complete in Him

i. No need to fear

ii. In Christ, we have be made more than sufficient to equal the task before us

NEVER ABOUT US, IT IS ALWAYS ABOUT CHRIST

OUR CHALLENGE TO WALK IN HIM

1. As we have received Christ Jesus

2. So let us walk in Him

a. Rooted

b. Built up

c. Established in the faith

d. Abounding in it with all thanksgiving