Welcome to Promise Land Bible ChurchWe’re glad you’re here!

Announcements:Remembering All who have gone before us this Memorial DayHoly Communion will be served Next Sunday.

Last Day for the collection for the Alaskan State Trooper fund.

Collecting un-used perfume/cologne for Care Manor.

Remember the Gideon Memorial Cards that are in the foyer entrance.

New Doors will be installed on the 9th

Call to Worship:

Psalms 113

Psalms 113 Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD! Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised! The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD!

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore TheeHymn 377

My Jesus, I Love TheeHymn 456

Praise and Prayer Request

Eph 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Receiving of the Offering

2 Cor 9:7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Famous Quotes:

“Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic.”

UNKNOWN

Today’s Message

“Remember My Chains”Scripture text: Colossians 4:18

Remember My Chains

Are we a forgetful people?

Can and do we forget what others have done for us?

Have you ever heard the saying: “out of sight, out of mind”?

As you look around this room today, are you aware of any “Gold Star” family members?

Do you know those who have sacrificed so much, that we may have our Freedom?

Col 4:18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Why would Paul close out the letter to the Colossians with these words, “remember my chains”?

Heb 13:3 Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.

Paul wrote to the church in Colossae to fortify it against false teachers who might try to impose strict rules about eating and drinking and religious festivals.

Paul shows the superiority of Christ over all human philosophies and traditions. He writes of Christ’s deity (“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” [1:15]) and of the reconciliation he accomplished with his blood.

He explains that the right way of living in this world is to focus on heavenly rather than earthly things. God’s chosen people must leave their sinful lives behind and live in a godly way, looking to Christ as the head of the church (1:18). Paul wrote while in prison, probably about the same time as he wrote to the Ephesians.

Php 1:27-30 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

2 Tim 4:1-7 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Php 1:7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

My New Testament Joseph

(Alexander Smellie, "The Secret Place" 1907)

"The chief butler, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him." Genesis 40:23

Was it simply that the butler was absorbed in the affections of home, and the duties of business? Through his imprisonment, he had been deprived of of the touch of a wife's hand and the kiss of a child on lip and cheek. His occupation was in danger of going to another, and his prosperity of being lost. It was scarcely surprising that the treasures so nearly forfeited, should engross him, when once they were restored.

But home is at its best, when I am full of the recollection of my New Testament Joseph; and the wheels of business never run so pleasantly as then. I gain by thinking first of Him.

Was it that at Pharaoh's court, the butler was afraid to speak of his obligation to a Hebrew slave? Doubtless the stranger had conferred a measureless blessing on him; but, among the lords and ladies of Egypt, it required great courage to tell out frankly his indebtedness to an alien and a prisoner.

Just so, Christ in many circles is almost a forbidden theme. He is not fashionable in the mirthful world. There are masters of culture and leaders of society who pass Him contemptuously by. In such surroundings, am I brave enough to be His enthusiast, His witness, His champion?

Was it that the butler felt a kind of awe and dread when he recalled Joseph? As friendly and brotherly as the young captive was--there was a curious separateness about him, a noble scorn of much that the butler might have condoned and approved, an impressiveness of character to which he could lay little claim. It may have been a relief to banish Joseph from thought.

Just so, Jesus is holy Himself, and He demands holiness in me. I am glad of His blessings--but I may dislike His commands. And yet, the better I know them, the more resolved I shall be to bind them on my life.

Was it merely that the butler was unthinking and heedless? But he had not been so a little before--when the chains lay on him and the dungeon walls shut him in. It does not commend him that he could become oblivious of his friend, immediately after that friend had lifted him into the king's palace. Just so, how greatly I am to be blamed, if I fail to keep fresh and green, the memory of the mighty things which Christ has done for me! Mine was the worst and most shameful condition--and His the most astonishing emancipation. To forget the Redeemer, when He has rescued me from deserved Hell, and blessed me with undeserved Heaven--there never was ingratitude so base!

"Be thankful!" Hebrews 12:28. It is a command which nothing must induce me to disregard, and which I must hold in constant reverence. I cannot sound the praises of my Deliverer too loudly. I cannot yield myself too absolutely to Him who sacrificed Himself for me!

So what should we do?

In the Natural: Remember those who have gone on before us!

Those who have paid a heavy price, that we may be free. Give them, the respect and honor that is due!

In the Spiritual:

Live for Christ!

Rejoice in what He has done for you!

Share your testimony, preach the Word, and live a life worthy of the calling of Christ!

Remember the high and heavy price that those have paid, in order to give us the written Word of God, and to proclaim the Gospel of Christ!

I Close this Service with the Reading of

“Taps”

“Day is Done”

And prayer.