Bible Study January 16, 2025
Colossians 1:15 – 19
15 Christ is the exact likeness of the unseen God. He existed before God made anything at all, and, in fact, 16 Christ himself is the Creator who made everything in heaven and earth, the things we can see and the things we can’t; the spirit world with its kings and kingdoms, its rulers and authorities; all were made by Christ for his own use and glory. 17 He was before all else began and it is his power that holds everything together. 18 He is the Head of the body made up of his people—that is, his Church—which he began; and he is the Leader of all those who arise from the dead, so that he is first in everything; 19 for God wanted all of himself to be in his Son.
I am not the most dedicated NASCAR fan in the world. I am the first one to admit it. If I turn a race I fall asleep. After all whoever leads the last lap wins so I am good with the condensed version.
I say this because I read an article from a NASCAR driver who had been approved to enter the Daytona 500 then he was told they did not approve him. My initial thought is what poor leadership in a sport that is dying in America. It’s the same in other sports also. My mind went to the concept of leadership in the church for our study today.
The scripture teaches Jesus is the head of the church. I referenced the above passage but you can also find other references in Ephesians 1:22 and 5:23. He (Jesus) places people into leadership of the local church.
Ephesians 1:11 – 12 says, “11 Some of us have been given special ability as apostles; to others he has given the gift of being able to preach well; some have special ability in winning people to Christ, helping them to trust him as their Savior; still others have a gift for caring for God’s people as a shepherd does his sheep, leading and teaching them in the ways of God. 12 Why is it that he gives us these special abilities to do certain things best? It is that God’s people will be equipped to do better work for him, building up the Church, the body of Christ, to a position of strength and maturity.” The key word here is “He.”
What is happening in the church today is that the church has become a building (not a people, the church is the people within the building) that has moved far away from the biblical standard set for it. Man has intervened and now interprets scripture as he sees fit not what God ordained. There are examples but that is not the direction I am going today.
We have recently seen some several new couples and families visit our church and one couple has joined our Bible study. As a church we believe the scriptures should be interpreted as written. The Bible has not changed but man is attempting to make it say what He wants when the source is God’s Word.
Let us all pray that the Church of Jesus Christ does not follow the path of NASCAR and arbitrarily change its rules or make promises then retract them. Stay faithful in what you believe. If your church does not follow the scriptures that were inspired by God find one that does there are many who will not deviate from His Word.
God Bless.
Asbury Chapel 