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What is one of the best safeguards against doctrinal deviancy in the church? Colossians 2:7 tells us that it involves something we don't often think of in this connection: thanksgiving for Christ and His Word.

Ungratefulness for God's riches in Christ is the common failing of those who lead the church into apostasy, and those who follow them.

How can we guard against this danger? That's our focus today as we continue our study of what it means to grow on a firm foundation in Christ.
Scripture makes it clear that God isn't concerned with numbers in the way that postmodern church-growth gurus are. God does great and eternal works through faithful remnants -- preachers and people who understand that they, not the church building, are God's temple.
Today's message challenges postmodern Evangelicalism's conventional wisdom on church growth: God's Word tells us that it is His way to deal in small things, by human standards. God does great things through faithful remnants.
We may be the last generation before the return of Christ, or many generations may yet follow in the plan of God. In either case, the same truths apply.
What do you believe about the Bible? What kind of book is it? What authority does it have?

Why believe the Bible?

These are vital questions for every Christian, indeed for every human being. We need to make sure that we understand the right answers.
Would you be willing to make the self-sacrifice of putting your reputation on the line, in order to demonstrate genuine love for your brothers and sisters within the body of Christ?

This is not a hypothetical question. It's actually something that God may be calling you to do right now. Find out more as we continue to study what God's Word says is involved in truly loving your fellow Christians -- and what is at stake if you don't.
Long ago, some unknown evangelist first asked the question, "If being a Christian were a crime, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" The point is made even more directly in First John 3:10: Is there enough evidence of your agape love for the brethren, to demonstrate that you are a child of God and not a child of the devil?

In Colossians 2:1-3, Paul cites agape love as one of the pillars of Christian unity. The hearts of believers, he says, are to be knitted together in agape love. What is the nature of this love? What are its key characteristics? How are we to demonstrate it within the body of Christ? How can we tell the real from the counterfeit?

This week we present part one of a message focusing on these questions as we continue our series, Truth Above All: Studies in Colossians 2.
What is the foundation of genuine Christian unity? Does it mean joining hands with others who, in fact, aren't even Christians? Some popular preachers who have a large following among conservative Evangelical pastors and churchgoers, have fallen into this ecumenical trap.

What is the role of love in true unity -- the agape love we find in Colossians 2:2? It's not what many Christians think -- and that's our focus this week as we continue our series, Christ Above All: Studies in Colossians.
We hear a lot of talk today about the need for Christian unity. And surely we do need it - Jesus prayed for believers in John chapter 17, "that they may all be one."

But many of today's unity movements are promoting unity under a false flag. What is the basis of genuine Christian unity? Are you seeking genuine unity, or are you or your church marching under a false banner?

In Colossians 2:1-3, the Apostle Paul emphasizes four pillars of genuine Christian unity. Today we examine the first two: It is a matter of the heart, but not mere feelings; it is a matter of love, but not mere emotionalism.
Paul tells the Colossian believers, "I want you to understand that I have a spiritual responsibility for you, a responsibility that involves conflict." God's Word tells us that Paul's conflict is our conflict as well. Dear friend, for whom are you spiritually responsible? Are you engaged in spiritual conflict on their behalf? Today's message will encourage you to get a fresh vision of why this is so vital -- what is at stake in your home, your church, and your school.
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