bpchurch Sermons

The personal greetings at the end of a New Testament letter might seem perfunctory, just part of the normal letter format. Certainly these personal notes were encouraging to those mentioned, but is there anything in them for us today? Actually, the closing words in Colossians 4:12-18 direct us back to some of the key points made earlier in the letter, and they give us some practical principles for serving the preeminent Christ in real life. The discouragements and distractions for these persons mentioned are ours also, and so their encouragement and call to action is ours as well.

What are you hoping for right now? Maybe you are hoping for the sun to come out tomorrow, or maybe you are hoping for a nice weekend with family, or maybe you are hoping for a good health diagnosis or recovery from illness. But what are we supposed to hope for? To hope for any of those things is unsure, there is no way to guarantee those hopes. But we do have a confident hope in something or someone else. Join us this Sunday as we see what God's Word tells us about true hope.

The book of Colossians is all about the preeminence of Christ, who has changed everything in our forgiveness and restoration. He has given us a new identity, lived out by His resurrection power. Redemption in Jesus transforms us personally and relationally: at home, at work, and toward our neighbors. But what about when it doesn't seem to be working, at least not as we expect? Sometimes the opposition seems to be succeeding, or someone we counted on has let us down. How do we keep going in the midst of seeming setbacks? Just when Colossians seems to be winding down, God has included some glimpses of encouragement in the closing greetings. Those who have walked with Christ before us show us how to keep serving through setbacks.

Colossians has given us a higher view of who Jesus is and how His salvation gives us new life. When you get a fuller grasp of who Jesus truly is and what he has actually done for us, you want to tell somebody. But for many of us, telling others about faith in Christ seems intimidating; what if you make a mess of it? In Colossians 4:5-6, God gives us two principles that tell us how to engage wisely with people around us who need Jesus. As it turns out, what most thrills your heart concerning Jesus is also just what they need to hear - if only you had an opportunity. Maybe you do... Let's talk about it on Sunday.

If God tells church to be devoted to prayer, does that suggest that prayer wasn't a significant part of their spiritual life? And if the same church he needs to remind that Jesus is over everything is the church that needs to be called to prayer, what does that suggest? How can we at bpChurch be more devoted to prayer? Let's talk about it Sunday. Julie and I are really looking forward to being back with you all, even if we are still on Zimbabwe time...

This week, we have a special guest speaker, Petr Burunov. Petr has been attending our church for a couple of years now and was one of our speakers at the Rock Tumbler last fall. Petr is married, has six children, and is currently attending seminary. We are thankful for Petr's willingness to bring God's Word to us this Sunday. He has two questions he wants you to think about this weekend: What is the most scandalous and controversial truth about work? How does it relate to our biggest problem?

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word authority? Is it Jesus? I hope so! What about when you hear the word submission, do you find the same name rolling off your tongue? In Christ, how should the distinction between submission and authority be understood? Join us this Sunday at Prairie High School as we explore the tension between these concepts within the context of our homes.

What should our lives look like as followers of Christ? That is the main question we will be answering from Colossians 3 this week. Last week, we learned all about the old clothes from our old life that we are called to "put off," and this week, we will learn all about the new clothes of Christ that we are called to "put on." As we worship at Prairie High School again this week, it is important to remember that we are the same people, wor-shipping the same God, even though we are in a new place. See you at Prairie on Sunday!

This weekend we have two "holydays." Two special days of worship to which we can also invite others to join us. We focus on Jesus' death for us on Good Friday and on His resurrection on Easter Sunday. Without these two realities, there would be no reason for us to gather on any Sunday, move to Prairie High School, or build up the church body or buildings. That gets me thinking...what else has Jesus' resurrection changed? What difference has it made? What difference could it make? That's what we'll talk about on Sunday.

Colossians chapter 2 declares that Christ is everything, so don't settle for nothing. Unfortunately much of what passes for spirituality is nothing, rather than everything. There have always been steps to follow, rules to obey, and disciplines to perform. But none of these, however wise and spiritual they may seem, will keep us from sin and lead us in new life. How then do we live the new life we have in Christ? Let's talk about it on Sunday.