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