Welcome back to Meeting Messages for the season. While I ended up missing the first 2 weeks of this series due to being away visiting my fiance in Vermont, it evidently wasn't a huge deal. There weren't even any handouts I could catch up with. Thankfully, this morning's teacher, Jeff Lockhart, did a brief review of what was said.

First of all, however, I will start us off similarly to what I do with my Sermon Summaries, and cover prayer requests. Just know that these are limited to those in the same table group with me at our Fellowship Class called "Anchored". This is an "all access" group for anyone 18+ who is looking for a basic way to connect with others without there being any other specifics of age, gender, or marital status involved.

Okay, so since I last talked with anyone, which was last May, Ashley's mother passed away in August, and now Ashley is looking for a new job in her area of expertise back home in Virginia in order to be closer to her father. (she's in Forestry) Blanche's son and 80+ yr old brother in law, both have major problems with their back. And finally, Alice, our Table Leader was recently diagnosed with Stage 1 Endometriosis. Her first round of Chemo was this past week, and she experienced no side effects. (aside from sleeping the first 3 of her 6 hr treatment) She made the decision to shave her hair ahead of time, so she was wearing a head covering today. There was also a new woman there this morning, but she didn't have anything pressing to share. My own concerns are covered in my Sermon Summaries, so please read them on the regular "Forum" page here. (I haven't specifically assigned a name to that section, and now that I'm looking to change online servers, I'll just wait and do it then)

The theme of this series, as suggested by today's title, is the supremacy of Christ and the authority of the Bible. This subject leads us to the book of Colossians. Now, getting back to the aforementioned review, our Group Leader, Fred, spoke the first week on the subject of "The Great Cover-up". This speaks to the loudest voices in today's society "hushing up" those who dare to speak publicly about God's goodness in otherwise secular situations. The recent example he used was of Houston Oilers Quarterback, CJ Stroud, having thanked God for the play-off victory in his interview following the game. I don't follow sports or the news that much, but this comment was apparently down-played, if not outright ignored in the Media. I'm sure that Fred went on to say something about how this speaks to the human desire for power and influence as opposed to reliance on, and faith in God. Last week, another Table Lead and Teacher, Ron, spoke on Paul's passion; not only for the Gospel, but for the Church at Colossi. Jeff observed Ron's passion for God and the Gospel as he spoke on Paul's.

In the body of these message notes, you will find that Jeff was inspired to compare this portion of Paul's letter to a "Pep Talk". When he asked for input on great "pep talks" from our own experiences. I shared about something I think is really cool and special that my fiance, Mike, does. Whenever he sees me frustrated or upset, he immediately asks what he's doing wrong, and when I have trouble getting the words out he encourages me by saying, "Start with the fact that I love you." I just love him so much!! And at the same time, isn't that what God is saying to us??

In giving examples of great Pep Talks from history, Jeff mentioned the speech given by William Jennings Bryan to the Democratic Convention back in 1896, now known as the "Cross of Gold" speech. His point was that gold was no longer a good basis on which to support our economy and that silver should be used as well, as the use of both would be more favorable to the poor.

The story actually included in our handouts this morning was of Notre Dame Coach, Knute Rokne, and his half-time speech to the team during their 1928 game against the Army team. I was "today years old" when I found that this was where former President Reagan got his "Win one for the Gipper" campaign slogan back in the '80's. The final score, in case you were wondering, was 12-6, Notre Dame. :D

Conversely, Jeff also shared an example of a really bad Pep Talk which came from his own personal experience. When he was on a JV Basketball Team in the early '70's, his coach, Mr. Perkins, had absolutely nothing positive to say ahead of a game against a much tougher team. His talk was all about how much bigger, stronger, faster, and better skilled their opponents were. wow... just... wow... ;p

Some key elements of what consitutes a good Pep Talk can be observed here, first from the examples above, but also from our passage which we will dig into momentarily. These include encouragement (focusing on a person), creation of a lasting legacy (focusing on things of Eternal Consequence), death ("Gipper and Jesus' deaths were sacrificial), and finally, hope (with a focus on an exciting adventure or goal). (Clearly, Jeff's HS coach didn't get the memo on any of these, or at least not for that game) Jeff observed that my example of Mike's practice was an example of a good pep talk because it focused on a personal connection and provided hope for our future together.

So, all that having been said, turn with me to Colossians chapter 1. We will be focusing on verses 13-23. Which, as Jeff described it, are "bookended" by the first two verses, along with the last 3. Those being invitations by Paul to the Colossians of adventures in Christ. The middle explains the "why" of what makes life with Jesus so great. That reason being His ultimate Supremacy as authorized by the Father.

Colossians 1:13-23

New International Version

13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

The Supremacy of the Son of God

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of[a] your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Jeff covered the 5 major concepts of this passage in the following basic ways --

A. "He is the image of the invisible God, firstborn over all creation." (vs. 15) "For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him..." (vs. 19) The word for "fullness" here is from the Greek word "pleroma", which speaks to the totality of a thing as opposed to it's constituent parts. Rather than being aptly compared to 3 slices of a single pie, all made of "God Stuff", this actually supports the idea of the Trinity as an eternal truth. The fact is that God is beyond time and space. As John wrote in his Gospel concerning Jesus, "No one has ever seen God, but the Son, who is at the Father's side, has made Him known." (Jn. 1:17) Later, in John 14, we find Jesus saying, "I and my Father are one".

Jeff brought out the fact that, while the Trinity can be hard for people to grasp, he had some thoughts on how we can at least have an easier time accepting it.

1. It is difficult to believe in God in the abstract. Jesus makes God more personal, a being we can relate to. God with us in Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

2. The doctrine of the Trinity makes it possible for God to be both eternal and loving at the same time. We say, "God is love", but love requires an object (or recipient). In the Trinity, we have three persons eternally loving in a divine "dance" of sorts. Jesus, as stated in verses 13 and 14, offers an invitation to that dance.

3. Should we, as mortals, be able to fully conceptualize God?? (this is a point I make when discussing things elsewhere online, but here, it belongs to Jeff) CS Lewis, in his book, "Mere Christianity" had this to say on the subject -- "Reality, in fact, is usually something you could not have guessed. That is one of the reasons I believe Christianity. It is a religion you could not have guessed. If it offered us just the kind of universe we had always expected, I should feel we were making it up." (Jeff also commented here on the difference (and suggested danger) of being "Spiritual" vs "Religious", someone who seeks their own path rather than God's, and therefore makes their own rules.) (My own thought here is more of Pagan vs Christian idea, because the term "religious" carries a connotation that goes a bit too far for the point being made)

4. The Bible clearly references the Trinity as 3 persons in multiple passages. The first being Genesis 1:26-27, where God says, "Let US make man in OUR own image." (Emphasis mine) (I will add the story of Jesus' Baptism as another key passage here)

   
   

B. "He is the firstborn OVER all Creation" (vs 15) (emphasis mine) "For in Him, all things were created..." (vs 16)

The word is not, "OF", but "OVER". Jesus played a part in the Creation of the world. He knows us that intimately.

Make sure to notice this because it positively debunks the idea some have that Jesus was the son of God and some unnamed woman (or by the Holy Spirit, as some have suggested). That is just humans trying to make sense of the Trinity in human terms. (My thoughts here)

C. "... in Him all things hold together." (vs 17) On this point, Jeff asked who among us had ever given much thought to gravity. We have a general understanding of HOW magnets work, but not so much of WHY they work. Or another thing that is "super-cool" to know is that Laminin, one of the glycoproteins that hold a cell together, is most commonly shaped like a cross?? Maybe some deeper thought is needed here beyond the idea that it is nothing more than "strong forces" holding our very bodies together... (I brought out the point here that I use in other discussions online against Atheists and Evolution supporters, and that is this -- "If the universe has rules, then Someone has to have written them.") Jeff also brought out the fact that this verse, among others, argues against the Theist view that God created, and then abandoned everything. According to Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, God is intimately involved in His creation. Always.

D. "He is the Head of the body, the Church." (vs 18a) He loves the Church, and the Church is us. The Bible likens us to a bride, with Jesus standing at the altar in admiration.

E. "He is the firstborn from among the dead." (vs 18b) Obviously, Jesus wasn't the first man on Earth to die; but we need to look at the linguistic and historical context here in order to gain a better undersrtanding of what Paul is saying. Among the Ancients, with traditions of primogenture, the firstborn is equal to the father in terms of importance and status. Jesus' death is preeminent. If you really think about it, God, in Jesus, sweat, bled, and died. Through Jesus God wants to "reconcile Himself to all things". (vs 20) Through Jesus, God sees us as forgiven, cleansed, made beautiful as a holy bride, and asks us back into the divine dance. In Jesus, we are presented "holy in His sight, without blemish, and free from accusation" (vs 22)

Jeff brought out the analogy here of a scene from "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", where Toula is getting ready for her wedding to Sean and has a huge zit on her face. As is typical for her father, he thinks that every physical issue can be cleared up with Windex. LOL As the handout says, God has done far more for us than just "Windexed". The other thing we can gain from this movie reference is the fact that Sean saw something in Toula even when she was effectively a "loser". He saw a potential and a beauty in her that she had yet to see in herself. LIkewise, God sees our potential and beauty through the Cross.

Finally, we come to the point of considering how to respond to all of these truths. As Jeff pointed out in our notes, this picture of Christ brings us back to our "adventure" bookends. We were lost in complacency, lack of purpose, not feeling good about ourselves, essentially "enemies of God in our minds" (vs 21) and whisked away (reconciled) to a new life in Christ, full of hope in our Eternal Destiny.

In preparation for this morining's teaching, Jeff sought out sources from a professional. He spoke briefly about how Tim Keller, in his podcast sermon, "Gospel in Life", uses the analogy of a terminal cancer patient to the unbeliver in God. In his message on this chapter, Tim poses the question of what are we willing to give up in order to gain the "ultimate cure" for our condition?? When presented with the chance of a "sure-fire" cure with the condition that the would have to give up chocolate for the rest of their life, the patient rejected the cure in favor of chocolate. (I concur. At least in theory...) ;p

There are 3 concepts to consider when formulating our personal responses to this passage --

1. Reordering -- what needs to change in your life in order to make God your top priority?? Keep in mind that nothing is non-negotiable when it comes to following Jesus. For me, it would be to replace FB with Devotions and Excersize in the morning.

2. Relinquishing -- God is calling us to a life of adventure, but the cost may require us to get out of our comfort zones of safety, security, and attachment. What is God calling you to relinquish?? For me, this involves letting go of my expectations when it comes to what life looks like with Mike. Not only is he physically larger than when I knew him before, but his COPD saps his energy and requires him to be on a CPAP machine at least 4 hrs a day. This seriously cuts down on our outside activities.

3. Rejoicing -- in the hope set before us, in the adventure of following Christ, making our lives count, no longer as wallflowers, but part of the dance. How can this passage give us new hope and purpose in the next stage of our journeys?? Alice brought out that the Biblical meaning of hope is not just an empty idea like, "I hope you get the new job, Ashley!!", but an assurance that things will go well. An expectant confidence. Her comment put me in mind of Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the confidence in what we hope for, the expectation of what we cannot see." I also brought up the analogy I've heard for this, in the thought of a woman who is pregnant. She knows the baby is coming, even though she cannot yet see it.

   
   

-- God Bless!!