Gratitude for Gospel Fruitful People

Dale Gooding - Colossians 1:1-8

https://youtu.be/0iPOOe_gaFw

What are you most grateful for?

I) Epaphras’ testimony of the Colossian church 
     A) They had come to faith in Christ - Col 1:4
     B) Their faith caused love for the saints - 1:4
          - Faith is the foundation of salvation
             (Ephesians 2:8,9)
          - Love is the fruit of salvation - John 13:35
          - Love is spiritual - Epaphras testified - 1:8

II) The Hope of the Colossian Church - Col 1:5
     Theirs was a hope that ...
     A) is only found in the "word of truth" - 1:5
     B) bears fruit - Matt 13:23; John 15:8
     C) increases - Acts 12:24; 19:20

III) The Evidence of true hope - Col 1:6-8
     A) Evidence of sincere faith - Col 1:6b-7
          - It is the same as others have - Titus 1:4
     B) Evidence of a true & accurate belief - 1:6c
     C) Gospel fidelity - 1:7b-8
     D) Ministry faithfulness of Epaphras - 2 Tim 2:2

We too ...
     1) have the same "hope laid up in Heaven"
     2) have faithful ministers to teach the Gospel
     3) share a common faith from the Gospel
     4) have love for the brethren
     5) have people we can/should pray for
     6) are part of the Gospel has increased