How do we live a "bold humility" like our Savior?  In the midst of a chaotic, spiritually dark land, are we pointing others to Christ or partnering with the world?

Colossians 2:16-23

Right thinking (orthodoxy) leads to right action (orthopraxy).  As a child, wrong thinking many times led to wrong actions resulting in punishment.  As Christians we need to make sure we have Godly thinking so that our actions will be Christ-like.

Colossians 2:8-15

Think back to an elementary school playground.  Often you could find a small group of girls sharing secrets with each other, giggling, whispering, etc...  When someone approaches that isn't part of the group, the girls scatter refusing to let the newcomer in on their secret circle.  

In Colossians 2 Paul is addressing a "secret knowledge" that brings division in the church.  Unity in the church is wrapped around love and the knowledge of Christ.  Walking in wisdom and discernment requires community.

Colossians 2:1-7

At 2pm each Sunday a Bhutanese Nepali church meets in our facility, and has been doing so for several years.  Those over the age of 25 will remember being in refugee camps in Nepal.  Members over the age of about 50 will remember when they lived in Bhutan, in one of the last pure monarchies in our world today.  The king of Bhutan got tired of having ethnic Nepalis in his country (they had been there for a few generations and were fully integrated into society).  This king kicked out every ethnic Nepali from Bhutan, forcing them to live in refugee camps as exiles in Nepal - unable to work, attend school, or enter Nepali society. They were in these refugee camps for 18 years until many were able to enter the United States.  Now they live in freedom, attend school and college, have jobs and are able to become citizens.

Just like our Bhutanese Nepali friends, once we were captives, with no way of escape - but now we are ambassadors of God's kingdom with hopes, joys, privileges and a future.  Today, Pastor Rich will examine Colossians 1:21-29 and show the steps we can take to move from being an alien to an ambassador.

Colossians 1:21-29

Towards the end of his reign, King David found himself fleeing from his son Absalom who was attempting to take throne for himself.  In the midst of heartbreak and turmoil, King David cries out to God, giving his worries over to the King of kings.  Today, Les Duncan will share from Psalm 3 how King David faced difficulties and turned in faith to God for comfort and rest, knowing that God is still in control. 

Psalm 3

"The results of the incarnation of the Savior are such and so many that anyone attempting to enumerate them should be compared to a person looking upon the vastness of the sea and attempting to count the waves." Athanasius of Alexandria, 350 AD.  God is so vast, He is beyond our comprehension.  Today, Pastor Rich will show how God describes Himself in Colossians 1:15-20.

Colossians 1:15-20

Here in the west, we have a linear view of time - we're always progressing, up and to the right.  However in the east they focus more on a circular view of time - there are things that happen in each season that lead to the next season in a circle, such as prepping the yard for summer during the spring, and prepping for winter during the summer.

Both are true.  We get older each year, and life happens in seasons.  Think of it like a spiral. It goes around and around, but it's also going somewhere.  In our passage today, Pastor Rich will show that we're encouraged to walk, but as we walk in grow in the knowledge of God. As we grow in our knowledge of God we grow in our strength, endurance and perseverance which enables us to grow in knowledge more - like a spiral of holiness.

Colossians 1:9-14

The fire triangle is an illustration that shows the 3 things required to start a fire: heat, oxygen and fuel.  Remove any one of them and you no longer have a fire. Today, Pastor Rich will discuss the "spiritual fire triangle" that is found in Colossians 1:1-8.  In order to be "on fire" for Jesus, (that is to be walking in close fellowship with Him thereby impacting your life, your family, your neighborhood etc...), you need faith, hope and love.

Colossians 1:1-8

Think back to childhood trips to the store with your mom.  Every so often she would promise a reward (ice cream, new toy) for good behavior at the boring store.

God gives us the promise of a future reward for walking by faith in the here and now.  We find it in the book of Revelation - this is the goal of worship.

Revelation 7:9-17

Have you ever stopped to reflect on your life and thought that something seemed to be missing?  Do you remember being in school, listening to your teacher and thinking "is this going to be on the test, should I be paying attention?"

In our passage today Pastor Rich will discuss the greatest commandment and how it relates to worship, and to life.  

Mark 12:28-34