Have you ever watched Wheel of Fortune? I know several people spend time trying to figure out the puzzle before the contestants do on the television. There is one more thing that many people do while watching this show. They imagine what it would be like to win the money that many win. In other words, they imagine themselves becoming rich. Ok, I don’t mean millionaires, but having more money to pay off bills or take a trip. How about the show, “Want to be a Millionaire?” Can I tell you that you don’t have to imagine what it would be like to be rich? You already are. We are rich if we have clothes on our back, a place to live, and the list goes on. If you are a child of God, you are rich beyond description. We have all been given a treasure that will make the winnings on Wheel of Fortune and Want to Be a Millionaire look like Monopoly money. You are a spiritual billionaire! There is one catch though. You have to learn how to tap into these vast resources in order to fully realize it. In Colossians 3:16, the apostle Paul wrote, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…”Let’s look a little deeper at the word “richly” in this verse. It comes from the Greek word plousios, a very old Greek word that describes: incredible abundance, extreme wealth, enormous affluence, great prosperity, and immense riches. Paul uses this word in Colossians 3:16 to let us know that if we will receive the Word of God in the right way – if we give it a warm reception and make if feel at home in our lives, it will enrich us spiritually. So this simply means that we are spiritual billionaires. I know what you are thinking, “Pastor Mike, you are really stretching this one. To compare it to being a billionaire?” Read on and see what Paul tells us it produces in us if we allow it to. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” Colossians 3:16. (NKJV) This describes people so full of the Word of God that their entire being is affected. Their hearts are full of joy; their minds are flooded with wisdom and understanding; and their mouths are singing songs to the Lord. This describes people who have struck it rich. It enriches you with wisdom, gifts, and the power you need for today. It fills you so much that it naturally comes spilling out and encouraging people in the faith along the way. When the Word of God dwells in you richly, there’s always a song of rejoicing in your heart. It spills out so much that it can actually bring life to those around you. Paul is painting a picture of what the Word of God will produce in you if you allow it to take residence in you and become a vital part of your life. So if you are tired of feeling spiritually weak and worn out with nothing to offer, then don’t take another step without making the decision to let God’s Word play a more important role in your life. Here is another way to say Colossians 3:16: “Let the Word of God dwell in you richly! Throw open the floodgates, roll out the red carpet, and give it a grand reception! If you’ll let the Word of God dwell in your in this way, it will produce an amazing amount of spiritual wealth in your life to all God to breathe life into the faintest of hearts – even yours!” Won’t you join me tonight for our final service with Stephen Manley? The service starts at 6:30pm. Come at 5:30pm and enjoy a delicious taco salad for supper. Let’s keep seeking the heart of God and we seek to know Him more. Joy in Jesus! Pastor Mike
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Rev. Mike McClurgSenior Pastor, Findlay First Church of the Nazarene Archives
March 2020
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