bpchurch Sermons

Tomorrow is a big work day. We are moving offices, moving items into storage and cleaning out a lot of clos-ets. It's surprising and a little embarrassing what we find tucked away in unseen spaces - things we didn't real-ize we were still holding onto. This is true for our minds as well. There might be values, assumptions and principles we picked up long ago, that really don't fit with where we're now going. In Colossians 2, like a church on the move, it's out with the old and on to the new.

The book of Colossians gives us a glimpse into Paul's heart for ministry. Last week in 1:28-29 we saw the goal of our salvation and the joy set before us. This week in 2:1-7 we are urged to press into that goal. But there is also a warning, the potential for sorrow. Many are growing in knowing and following Christ, but some will not. That was Paul's struggle, his joy and sorrow. This Sunday we'll talk about the true treasure you seek, the danger that threatens it, and our best way forward.

We are getting ready to move our Sunday ministries to Prairie High School during construction. Last Sunday we were told that to worship together at PHS everyone has a job to do - but this is not new. Actually, Jesus has always intended for church to be highly participatory, a church is a body functioning by each part, not a per-formance by a chosen few. In Colossians 1:28-29 the most repeated word is "everyone." Each one matters and everyone is in ministry, helping others to know and grow in Jesus.

Our creator and sustainer, Jesus the Christ, the preeminent Lord of all has saved us and reconciled us. He made peace for us with God through His death on the cross where He cried out victoriously, "It is finished!" But we are not yet finished. God will be faithful to complete the work which He has begun in us, but will we be faithful to continue in it? What does faithfully continuing to God's finish look like? Let's talk about it Sunday.

I was a little uncertain about leading with that statement, but that is the way we think sometimes. When God's will, doesn't line up with our wants, when God seems to call for too much of us or too much from us, something inside us thinks this way. "Who does Jesus think He is to ask that of me?!" But, it's not a matter of "who does Jesus think He is," but the issue is "who Jesus is," and will I re-orient my perspective and my will to Him and who He is. So, who does God say Jesus is? Let's talk about that in Col 1:15-20 this Sunday.

When we listen in on Jesus' prayer for us to the Father in John 17, we learn something more of God's love for us. Jesus' prayer is also a good example for us to learn from. In fact, when Paul prays for Christians in Colossians 1:9-14, his requests echo some of the ways that Jesus prayed for us. If Paul, the former pharisee, deepened his prayers for others in these ways, then maybe we can too. This Sun-day we'll talk about how to pray a little more like Paul (and Jesus) for others, and how we could see Paul's prayer being answered today.

In the midst of a decision, you have likely stopped to consider, "What does God want me to do? What is God's will for me?" But, have you recently pondered in the midst of life's priorities, "What would make God glad? What would bring God the Father joy?" This Sunday, we'll see in Col 1:3-8 that the things Paul is thankful for in that passage are the things that we should also pursue. These things which Paul affirms are the things we should aspire to. These are the things that bring God joy in His church.

As we walked along the street in a small town in India, I was surprised at how eager people were to have Christians pray for them. Then I realized why. They were accustomed to a plethora of gods, so they were open to the idea of "Jesus also," as long as that didn't become "Jesus only." People are often willing enough to add Jesus to the mix if that seems helpful, as long as Jesus isn't preeminent. But the book of Colossians is all about the preeminence of Christ, over all creation and in our lives. This Sunday, we'll see the big picture of Colossians and then see in the first two verses that faith in Jesus changes us because Jesus is over everything.

We had a stopover in Rome on our way to see our daughter's family in Zimbabwe. We walked a lot and saw many sights, but there was one I was still waiting for. Then, turning the corner, there it was: Trajan's Column! I know, it's not on most must-see lists, but I've written and talked about Trajan's Column for over twenty years. Why, you ask? Well, Trajan has something important to tell us about our most essential tasks as a local church and how we will fulfill them. I'll explain what I mean on Sunday when we consider our church as "a pillar and support of the truth" from 1 Timothy 3:15.

What does it mean to be a family? Everyone has a different family experience and perspective. But one of the essential aspects of family is that we are involved in each other's lives. If you don't spend time together or know what is going on in each others' lives, are you really a family? In 1 Timothy 3:15, Paul describes the Church as the Family of God, and although that sounds nice, what does it re-ally mean to be the family of God together? Join us this Sunday as we open God's Word to understand what it really means for us to be part of God's family.