I am really excited to be speaking on Col 2  this Sunday at Stonebrook! The more I study it the more important this passage seems to me.

Do you ever struggle with your motivation as a Christian?

Do you ever feel like we do to much?

Do feel like a failure as a Christian if you don’t do __________?

Do you ever feel like your relationship with God has become a list of rules?

Do you feel judged by others because you don’t do ______________ or do _____________?

Do you ever feel twisted around by all the conflicting ideas out there in the world on self improvement?

We so often focus on the externals. Externals are easy to measure and sometimes the only way to measure where we are at. But focusing on them draws us away from what is the substance, the heart, the base of our faith- Christ and his work.

We desperately need Col 2 before we get to Col 3 with its commands to put off and put on. Col 2 is the motivation and heart of how Col 3 starts with “seek the things that are above”.

Last Sunday night at the Rock Underground we talked about  how focused we can get on ourselves especially when we get busy or stressed. One huge tool I use to break out of this way of thinking is to search the scriptures for attributes of God.

We broke up into a group focused on the Old Testament and a group focused on the New.

Here are the rough lists that we came up with. Let them push your eyes upward – and relax. 🙂

1. God is Gentle, 1 Kings 19:11-13
2. God is Mighty, God is Present,  Joshua 1:9
3. God is a Protector, our Strength, Psalm 3:3-4, Psalm 62:2
4. God is a Righteous Judge, Psalm 7:11
5. God is the Creator, Genesis 1:1
6. God is compassionate and Faithful, Lamentations 3:22-23
7. God is righteous and Kind, Psalm 145:13, Isaiah 42:6
8. God is a Shepherd, Psalm 23:1
9. God is a Glorious King, Psalm 24:8
10. God is our light, our salvation, Psalm 27:1
11. God is full of steadfast Love Psalm 136
12. God hears, and is faithful Proverbs 15:29
13. God desires relationship Zephaniah 3:17
14. God is our Rock and Fortress, Psalm 76:3
15. God is interested in our good always Deuteronomy, 6:24
16. God takes delight in the spreading of His salvation, Isaiah 52:
17. God is Holy, Psalm 77:3
18. God knows us, 130:9
19. God love unity, Psalm 133:
20. God is Jealous for us, Zephaniah 8:2
21. God is purposeful, Proverbs 6:4, Jeremiah 29:11
22. God is Perfect, Psalm 18:30
23. God is Unique, Isaiah 46:9
24. God is Just, Psalm 11:7
25. God is a Warrior, Psalm 24:8
26. God is a Rescuer, Joel 2:32
27. God is fulfilling, makes known the way of life, Psalm 16:11
28. God is rewarding, Proverbs 25:22
29. God is a Redeemer, Isaiah 43:13
30. God is Everlasting, Tireless, unfathomable, understanding Isaiah 40:28
31. God is Peaceful, Psalm 29:11
32. God is personable, Genesis 5:24
33. God is Wise, Daniel 2:20
34. God is Sovereign, Daniel 4:34-35
35. God is Good, Lamentations 3:25
36. God of Vengeance, Psalm 94:1
37. God is Omniscient, Jeremiah 23:23-24
38. God is Gracious, Isaiah 30:18

 

1. Eternal Power and Divine Nature – Rom 1:20
2. God is light – 1 John 1:5
3. God is love – 1 John 4:8
4. Righteous Advocate – 1 John 2:1
5. Kindness, Patience and Tolerance – Rom 2:4
6. Holy, Holy, Holy – Rev 4:8
7. Great high priest – Heb 4:14
8. Beginning and the word – John 1:1
9. Savior – Phil 3:20
10. Forbearing – Rom 3:25
11. Sufficiency – Phil 4:19
12. Alpha and Omega – Rev 22:13
13. Wrathful against unrighteousness – Rom 1:18
14. Kindness – Titus 3:4
15. Father and Lord – Phil 1:2
16. Consuming Fire – Heb 12:29
17. Spirit of Truth – 1 John 4:6
18. Creator – John 1:3, Rom 1:25
19. Trustworthy – Titus 3:8
20. Justifier – Rom 8:33, 5:9
21. Interceder – Rom 8:34
22. Reconciler – Rom 5:10
23. I AM – John 8:58
24. Way, Truth, Life – John 14:6
25. Stern – Rom 11:22
26. Bread of life – John 6:48
27. Light of the world – John 9:5
28. Severe – Rom 11:22
29. Not of this world from above – John 8:23
30. Healer – Matt 8:32
31. Working – John 5:17
32. Encouragement and gives endurance – Rom 15:5
33. Good Shepherd – John 10:11
34. Witness to the truth – John 18:37
35. Sustainer to the End – 1 Cor 1:8
36. Faithful – 1 Cor 1:9
37. Comforter – 2 Cor 1:4, Matt 5:4
38. God of Peace – Rom 16:20
39. Holy – 1 Peter 1:16
40. Wise – 1 Cor 1:20
41. Impartial – Rom 2:11
42. Example – John 13:15
43. Author and perfector of our faith – Heb 12:1
44. Author of life – Acts 3:15
45. Worthy – Rev 5:12
46. Empowering – 1 Cor 12:11
47. Helper – John 14:26
48. Merciful – Rom 11:52
49. Victor over death – 1 Cor 15:55
50. Against those who do evil – 1 Peter 3:12
51. King of King and Lord of Lords – Rev 19:16
52. Justice and love – Luke 11:42
53. Master – Col 4:1
54. Friend – James 2:23
55. Owner of Everything – Gal 4:1
56. Gives freedom – John 8:32
57. Able to keep us from stumbling – Jude 1:24
58. Gives us blessings – Eph 1:3
59. Chooses us – Eph 1:4
60. Adopter – Eph 1:5
61. Sovereign – Eph 1:5
62. Almighty – Rev 1:8
63. Forgiver – Eph 1:7
64. Foundation – 1 Cor 3:11
65. Patient and not slow, wishing all to reach repentance – 2 Peter 3:9
66. Ruler – 1 Tim 6:15
67. Above everything – Eph 1:21
68. Chief Shepherd – 1 Peter 5:4
69. Our Peace – Eph 2:14
70. Knowledge surpassor – Eph 3:19
71. Provider – 1 Tim 6:17
72. Unifier – Eph 4:3
73. Equipper – Eph 4:12
74. Teacher – Eph 4:11