Good morning,

There are many misconceptions about heaven. This week we will begin a series on heaven. We need to understand that there are three heavens, that heaven is a real place, and that God built it.

Three Heavens

1. Firmament or sky that covers the earth

This is the realm of birds and clouds that surrounds the entire earth.

2. Where the stars, sun, moon resides

This is the space beyond the earth and it covers the entire universe.

3. Where God resides

This is the unseen and is the residence of God, including Jesus Christ. This is where the dead martyrs and saints are today. This is the location of the throne of God and where the holy angels surrounding His throne sing day and night, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord our God.

“I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.³ And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)⁴ How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” (2 Corinthians 12:2-4)

Someday soon all believers in Christ will be transported to the third heaven. It may be in the rapture or at death, but it will happen.

Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.¹⁸ Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

Death (2 Corinthians 5:6-8)

“Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:⁷ (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) ⁸ We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

Are you ready to be transported to the third heaven?

Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sin, through His blood, to pay our sin debt.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

We must repent of our sins and trust Christ as Savior and Lord.

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: ¹³ Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”     (John 1:12-13)

Salvation is not by works, but by the grace of God, through faith.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Have you trusted Christ as Savior and Lord? This is the only way to arrive in the third heaven!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This compliments our study of Colossians 3.

(John Newton, Gadsby’s Hymnal #1100)

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above,not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:1-2 

    1.  Let worldly minds the world pursue,
            It has no charms for me;
        Once I admired its trifles too,
            But grace has set me free.

    2.  Its pleasures now no longer please,
            No more content afford;
        Far from my heart be joys like these,
            Now I have seen the Lord.

    3.  As by the light of opening day
            The stars are all concealed;
        So earthly pleasures fade away,
            When Jesus is revealed.

    4.  Creatures no more divide my choice;
            I bid them all depart;
        His name, and love, and gracious voice,
            Have fixed my roving heart.

    5.  Now, Lord, I would be thine alone,
            And wholly live to thee;
        But may I hope that thou wilt own
            A worthless worm like me?

    6.  Yes, though of sinners I’m the worst,
            I cannot doubt thy will;
        For if thou hadst not loved me first,
            I thee had hated still. 

   ~  ~  ~  ~

“Gadsby’s Hymnal” is considered the best devotional hymnal ever written.  In the preface Gadsby writes: “It is the desire of my heart to give a selection of hymns in one book, free from Arminianism, and sound in the faith–that the church might be edified, and God glorified.” November, 1838
   ~  ~  ~  ~ 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This week we will learn how to walk in Christ. We will be looking at the heavenly focus (1-4), how to live a holy life (5-17), and living the Christian life in all relationships (18-4:1). We will be encouraged and challenged as we study Colossians 3.

COLOSSIANS 3

PRACTICAL LIVING FOR BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (3:17)

Paul taught the Colossians about Jesus, then about the believers being complete in Jesus and why, now he has explained how to live holy lives. So his next logical step is to teach about relationships concerning wives, husbands, children, fathers, servants, and masters. He makes the point that each of these relationships is contingent on their relationship to God. Chapter 3, verses 18 through Chapter4, verse 1, explains.

Living the Christian life in all relationships (18-25, 4:1)

¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.  ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.  ²⁰ Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.  ²¹ Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.  ²² Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye service, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; ²³ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; ²⁴ Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.  ²⁵ But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Verse 18: Wifely submission cannot be forced; it must come from her own free will. As it is fit in the Lord means the wife’s submission to her husband is proper in her relationship with Christ; submission rendered to her husband is submission rendered to Christ.

Verse 19: Ephesians 5:25 explains the duty of the husband is to love his wife. The Greek word for love is agapao, the same affection with which “God so loved the world” (John 3:16). This type of love is a willing and sacrificial giving of oneself for the benefit of another, without thought of return. Be not bitter against them might be translated, “Do not be harsh toward them.”  The husband who loves his wife will not be rude, unkind, or cruel toward her. This implies that wifely submission is gained in part by the husband’s love.

Verse 20: Obedience to parental authority is pleasing to the Lord in the child’s relationship to Him. The obedience given to parents is obedience given to Christ.

Verse 21: Fathers can provoke their children to anger by injustice, loss of temper, undo severity, cruelty, favoritism, suppression, sarcasm, ridicule, and misuse and abuse of authority.

Verse 22-25: Eyeservice is work done only when the master is watching. Christian slaves were to work hard even when the owners were absent. Singleness of heart means a sincere disposition. Do it heartily means the slave is to perform his slave duties wholeheartedly, doing the best job he can with all his strength. A slave could be enthusiastic in carrying out his menial tasks because they were done, not so much for his earthly master (unto men), but for his heavenly Master (to the Lord).

Verse 1, Chapter 4: The reason earthly masters should give their servants that which is just and equal is that the masters themselves also have a Master in heaven. As they want Him to be just and fair with them, so they must be towards their servants.

CONCLUSION

• SEEK THOSE THINGS ABOVE
• LIVE HOLY LIVES PLEASING TO GOD
• DWELL IN UNITY WITH FELLOW BELIEVERS

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This week we will learn how to walk in Christ. We will look at the heavenly focus (1-4), how to live a holy life (5-17), and living the Christian life in all relationships. We will be encouraged and challenged as we study Colossians 3.

COLOSSIANS 3-STANDARDS OF CHRIST

PRACTICAL LIVING FOR BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (3:17)

INTRODUCTION

In Chapter 2 Paul exhorts the Colossians’ to walk in Christ. Today we will learn how.

1. Heavenly Focus (1-4)

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. ² Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

2. How to live a holy life (5-17)

Mortify (5-7)

⁵ Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: ⁶ For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

Put off (8-9)

⁷ In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. ⁸ But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. ⁹ Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

Put on (10-15)

¹⁰ And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: ¹¹ Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. ¹² Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. ¹⁴ And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

The word of God (16)

¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus (17)

¹⁷ And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

3. Living the Christian life in all relationships (18-25)

¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. ²⁰ Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. ²² Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; ²³ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; ²⁴ Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

CONCLUSION

SEEK THOSE THINGS ABOVE

LIVE HOLY LIVES PLEASING TO GOD

DWELL IN UNITY WITH FELLOW BELIEVERS

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This week we will learn how to walk in Christ. We will look at the heavenly focus (1-4), how to live a holy life (5-17), and living the Christian life in all relationships. We will be encouraged and challenged as we study Colossians 3.

COLOSSIANS 3

PRACTICAL LIVING FOR BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (3:17)

The Bible tells us to live holy lives. Paul gives us principles, teaching us what holiness looks like. Holiness is not passive. We will see action words. Things we must do to bring us closer to the example Jesus Christ set for us. Chapter 3, verses 5-17, challenges us to live as Christ lives.

How to live a holy life (5-17)

Mortify (5-7)

⁵ Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: ⁶ For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

Put off (8-9)

⁷ In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. ⁸ But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. ⁹ Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

Put on (10-15)

¹⁰ And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: ¹¹ Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. ¹² Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. ¹⁴ And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

The word of God (16)

¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus (17)

¹⁷ And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Paul starts by telling the Colossians to mortify, kill, members, energies and activities of the old man. He continues by telling them to “put off” the activities of the “old man”.  Then to counteract the activities of the “old man”, they are to “put on” the activities of the “new man”. These activities are to be bound by charity and love. Having “put on” the activities of the new man, Paul encourages the Colossians to be thankful, allowing the word of Christ to dwell within them, to teach the fellow believers in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Although there is no magic formula to holiness, these verses give us some steps to get there.

Tomorrow, we will see how these principles play out in our individual personal relationships with others?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This week we will learn how to walk in Christ. We will look at the heavenly focus (1-4), how to live a holy life (5-17), and living the Christian life in all relationships. We will be encouraged and challenged as we study Colossians 3.

COLOSSIANS 3-STANDARDS OF CHRIST

PRACTICAL LIVING FOR BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (3:17)

Heavenly Focus (1-4)

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. ² Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Chapter 2 taught us that we are complete in Christ. Christ shed His precious holy blood for our sins. He forgave all our sin and nailed it to His cross. With those things in mind, He wants us to “…seek those things which are above…” and “…Set your affection on things above…”.  Is that we strive to do or is our affections still on earth.

Unfortunately, we forget that our home is NOT on earth, but is heaven. The way we live our lives should demonstrate to whom we belong.

Tomorrow we will learn how to live a holy life.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Romans 12 challenges us to live for Christ. We must present our bodies as living sacrifices, no longer live for the world, remember that we are part of the body of believers, we have specific responsibilities as a believer, and ultimately how we treat unbelievers.

How to Treat Outsiders (12:17-21)

¹⁷ Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. ²⁰ Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. ²¹ Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

CONCLUSION

• Present your body a living sacrifice
• Be not conformed to this world
• Renewed mind
• One body, many functions
• Christian responsibilities
• Treat others well

These verses go against everything the world teaches us. Live peaceably with all men. What a challenge. Allow God to execute vengeance. Feed your hungry enemy. This is radical stuff.

Verse 21 sums up how we are to act when we have been wronged. “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

This is how our world could be changed from wickedness to righteousness.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Romans 12 challenges us to live for Christ. We must present our bodies as living sacrifices, no longer live for the world, remember that we are part of the body of believers, we have specific responsibilities as a believer, and ultimately how we treat unbelievers.

Christians Love and Fellowship with Other Christians (12:9-16)

“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. ¹⁰ Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; ¹¹ Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; ¹² Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; ¹³ Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. ¹⁵ Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”

God has given us gifts. He expects us to use them. We may use our gifts to love others, do good, preferring others before ourselves, hardworking, serving God, rejoicing, patient, giving, blessing others even when we have been persecuted.

How has God gifted you? Are you allowing God to use you to lead others to Christ, bless others, meet their needs, pray for them, or simply love them?

Why not?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Romans 12 challenges us to live for Christ. We must present our bodies as living sacrifices, no longer live for the world, remember that we are part of the body of believers, we have specific responsibilities as a believer, and ultimately how we treat unbelievers.

ROMANS 12

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (12:1)

INTRODUCTION

1) The Christian’s Body a Living Sacrifice (12:1-2)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. ² And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2) Christians are Members of the Same Body (12:3-8) Read 1Corinthians 12:12-31

³ For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. ⁴ For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: ⁵ So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. ⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; ⁷ Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; ⁸ Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.¹³ For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. ¹⁴ For the body is not one member, but many.¹⁵ If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?¹⁶ And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?¹⁸ But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. ¹⁹ And if they were all one member, where were the body?²⁰ But now are they many members, yet but one body.²¹ And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. ²² Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:²³ And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.²⁴ For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked.²⁵ That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.²⁶ And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.²⁷ Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.²⁸ And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?³⁰ Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?³¹ But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

3) Christians Love and Fellowship with Other Christians (12:9-16)

⁹ Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. ¹⁰ Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; ¹¹ Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; ¹² Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; ¹³ Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. ¹⁵ Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

4) How to Treat Outsiders (12:17-21)

¹⁷ Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. ²⁰ Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. ²¹ Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

CONCLUSION

• Present your body a living sacrifice
• Be not conformed to this world
• Renewed mind
• One body, many functions
• Christian responsibilities
• Treat others well

Good morning,

Romans 12 challenges us to live for Christ. We must present our bodies as living sacrifices, no longer live for the world, remember that we are part of the body of believers, we have specific responsibilities as a believer, and ultimately how we treat unbelievers.

Christians are Members of the Same Body (12:3-8) Read 1Corinthians 12:12-31

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.

The body of Christ is a body. It has multiple parts that must work with other parts to make everything run smoothly. God has given each Christian a gift to encourage the body. These gifts are not intended for private use. They are intended to make the body work properly.

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.¹³ For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.¹⁴ For the body is not one member, but many. (1 Corinthians 12:12-14)

“Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?⁶ I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.⁷ So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3:5-7)

We can not live for Christian life alone. We need others to be successful as we walk through life. Ministry for Christ is never done without support. It takes all the members working together for souls to be reached for Christ!

Will you do your part?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001