As I sit and listen to the chorus of prayers ascending to heaven on a Sunday morning, I feel the pleasure of our God. I’m grateful for the faith and the love in this room.
I understand the sentiment of Paul the apostle when he gave thanks for the reports he heard about the church in Colossae. He was thankful for them and he wanted them to know he was thankful for them.
He was thankful for the genuine fruit of the gospel in their community: faith in Christ, love for all the saints and hope in heaven. (3-5)
He was thankful for the genuine power of the gospel in their community: it was increasing and bearing fruit in their town and all over the world! (5-6)
He was thankful for the genuine ministry of the gospel in their community: servant-hearted leaders like Epaphras laboring sacrificially for the love of the church. (7-8)
How these words must have blessed and reassured a church wrestling with doubts about the sufficiency of their faith.
False teachers will measure churches by their particular brand of tradition, politics or ethics.
But Jesus alone is judge of his churches.
And what he is looking for is simple fidelity to the gospel.
As we focus on the gospel of our Christ, making the main thing the main thing, his power will flow in our midst and his smile will rest on us.
Look to Christ today and lean into faith, love and hope.
Tom Brown is the planting pastor of Vintage Faith Church in Wichita. Tom and his wife, Mandy, have worked together in ministry for over 20 years and have four children. More about Pastor Tom Brown