The Will of God for the Church

Colossians 1:9-14

1. The Gospel is God’s powerful commitment to fulfill His promises to us.

A. It transforms as it is made known and taken up by faith (vss. 5b-6).

B. It transforms our desires and and our actions (vss. 7-8).

2. God’s will for us is that we will worship Him in all of life (vss. 9-12),

A. Marked by good works (vs. 10b),

John 15:1-7

B. Treasuring and fearing Him above all (vs. 10c),

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.  - John 17:3(ESV)

C. Persevering through hardship with joy (vs. 11),

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Romans 8:16–17(ESV)

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.  - I Peter 5:10–11(ESV)

D. Filled with gratitude, humility, and optimism (vs. 12).

Ephesians 1

3. God’s promises to us are full of hope and grace (vss. 13-14).

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. - I Peter 1:3–5(ESV)