This week at Fervent Church, Sam continues our verse-by-verse study through Colossians with a message from Colossians 1:24–2:5.

Paul writes from prison to strengthen believers facing confusion, false teaching, and “almost-true” distortions of the gospel. In this passage, we see that suffering doesn’t have to be wasted—and that joy is not just a feeling, but a chosen response rooted in Christ. Sam also unpacks Paul’s heart as a servant, the “mystery” now revealed—Christ in you, the hope of glory—and why being grounded in Scripture is the way we recognize and resist deception.

In this sermon:

• Why joy can be a choice even in hardship
• How God uses suffering to encourage others and build the church
• The difference between Christ’s finished work and the trials believers still face
• What it means to be a servant with a God-given commission
• How to spot lies by knowing the truth
• A call to communion, repentance, and faith in Jesus

Scripture: Colossians 1:24–2:5 (with supporting passages including James 1:2–4, Philippians 4:4–7, Acts 7:54–60, 2 Corinthians 1:3–5, John 15:18–25, Mark 10:35–45)

If you’re walking through a hard season, this message will encourage you to seek the Lord, stay rooted in His Word, and trust that God is working even here.

Connect with Fervent Church

We’d love to help you take a next step—whether that’s visiting in person, asking for prayer, or learning more about Jesus.

👉 https://linktr.ee/theferventchurch

From there you can:

• Plan your visit
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• Watch past messages

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/fervent-church/donations

Are you busy for Jesus... but not with Jesus?

It's one of the most convicting questions in the Christian life—and it's exactly what Jesus addresses in the story of Mary and Martha.

In this sermon from Luke 10:38-42, Pastor Nick unpacks the familiar account of two sisters who both loved Jesus but related to Him in very different ways. Martha served. Mary sat. And when Martha complained, Jesus gently corrected her: "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things. But one thing is necessary."

What is that one thing? And why do so many of us miss it?

This message explores: • Why distraction—not rebellion—may be the greatest threat to your faith • The difference between being busy FOR Jesus and being WITH Jesus • What it means to sit at the feet of Jesus and hear His word • How the practice of solitude helps us choose the "good portion" • The biblical pattern of "one thing" in Psalm 27, Luke 18, and Philippians 3

This sermon is part of Fervent Church's series on the Practices of Jesus—exploring the spiritual rhythms that shaped the life of Christ: Sabbath, Prayer, Fasting, and Solitude.

Whether you're a pastor running on empty, a parent overwhelmed by responsibility, or someone who just feels spiritually distant—this message is an invitation to slow down, silence the noise, and sit at His feet again.

📖 Scripture: Luke 10:38-42 📚 References: Acts 22:3, Psalm 27:4, Luke 18:22, Philippians 3:13-14, Mark 3:14, John 15, Luke 5:16 🎯 Series: Practices of Jesus (Week 4: Solitude)

Church: Fervent Church | Hutto, Texas

🌐 Website: fervent.church

📍 We meet Sundays at 9:30am at Nadine Johnson Elementary in Hutto, TX

#MaryAndMartha #Luke10 #PracticesOfJesus #Solitude #ChristianPodcast #BibleTeaching #SpiritualDisciplines #FerventChurch #Discipleship #PastorLife #ChurchLeadership

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/fervent-church/donations

In Colossians 1:15–23, Paul gives us one of the clearest, most powerful pictures of who Jesus really is—and why it matters.

The church in Colossae was being pressured to believe a “Jesus + something else” gospel. More rules. More secrets. More spiritual add-ons. But Paul lovingly (and firmly) pulls them back to the center: Jesus is not a lesser version of God. Jesus is God. Jesus is supreme. And Jesus is enough.

In this sermon, “The Supremacy of Christ,” we walk through five reasons Jesus is supreme:

• Jesus reveals God perfectly — He is the image of the invisible God (v.15). If you’ve ever wondered what God is like, look at Jesus.
• Jesus is Lord over all creation — everything was created by Him, through Him, and for Him (v.16).
• Jesus sustains everything — in Him all things hold together (v.17). The universe isn’t held together by chance; it’s held together by Christ.
• Jesus is the Head of the Church — the church isn’t built on personalities or platforms; it belongs to Jesus (v.18).
• Jesus alone reconciles us to God — peace isn’t earned by trying harder; it’s made by the blood of His cross(vv.19–22).

Paul’s call is simple and urgent: don’t shift from the hope of the gospel. Stay anchored in the real Jesus—Creator, Sustainer, Savior, King.

If you feel far from God, discouraged, or distracted by a thousand voices, this passage brings you back to what’s true: Jesus is before all things… and Jesus is for you.

Connect with Fervent Church

Plan Your Visit: https://fervent.church/visit

Prayer Requests: https://fervent.church/prayer

Give Online: https://fervent.church/give

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theferventchurch

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Fervent.Church

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/fervent-church/donations

The gospel isn’t just something we hear—it’s a seed God plants that produces fruit. In this message from Colossians 1:1–14, we open our new series SUPREME by watching Paul’s pastoral heart on display: he gives thanks for a church he’s never visited, celebrates the fruit God is already producing, and prays for deeper wisdom and endurance so they can walk in a way that pleases the Lord.

Colossae wasn’t a famous city or a “big” church—yet Paul lifts his eyes and rejoices because Christ is being proclaimed. That’s a word for us today: we’re not here to compete with other churches, compare, or tear down—if Jesus is being preached and lives are being changed, we rejoice.

In this sermon, you’ll hear about:

• Why the gospel should be bearing fruit in our lives over time (not overnight)
• What gospel fruit can look like: faith, love for the saints, hope, obedience, forgiveness, humility, service, and growth
• Why the gospel must be spoken and preached, not just modeled (Romans 10:17)
• Paul’s prayer for the church: wisdom, understanding, endurance, joyful patience, and a life worthy of the Lord (Col. 1:9–12)
• The beautiful reminder that God has qualified us—not by performance, but by Jesus (Col. 1:12–14)
• The gospel as a rescue mission: delivered from darkness and transferred into the kingdom of the Son

Our theme verse for the year is James 4:8: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” As we walk through Colossians together, our prayer is simple: keep your eyes on Jesus—because Jesus is supreme.

Connect with Fervent Church:

Plan Your Visit: https://fervent.church/visit

Prayer Requests: https://fervent.church/prayer

Give Online: https://fervent.church/give

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theferventchurch

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Fervent.Church

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/fervent-church/donations

Welcome to Supreme, our sermon series through the book of Colossians—a letter written for a spiritual culture that’s open to “ideas,” but resists Jesus as Lord. In this message, we talk about why “Austin is Athens” (Acts 17), how the church in Colossae wasn’t pressured to abandon Jesus but to redefine Him, and why Paul responds by lifting Christ higher: Jesus is supreme, sufficient, and above all.

This sermon includes a full read-through of Colossians (chapters 1–4), just as the early church would have received it—reading Scripture in larger sections with pauses to reflect, underline, and respond.

Key Themes in This Sermon:

• A spiritual culture that welcomes “another option” but resists Jesus as the only way (Acts 17)
• The danger of adding to Jesus: philosophy, empty deceit, and self-made religion (Colossians 2)
• The supremacy of Christ: Creator, Sustainer, Head of the Church (Colossians 1:15–20)
• From darkness to the kingdom: redemption and forgiveness (Colossians 1:13–14)
• Rooted in Christ, not captured by cultural narratives (Colossians 2:6–10)
• Living the new life: putting off the old self and putting on Christ (Colossians 3)
• Prayer, wisdom toward outsiders, and gracious speech (Colossians 4:2–6)

📖 Scripture: Colossians 1–4 (ESV)

🗣️ Series: Supreme — The Supremacy of Christ

⛪ Fervent Church (Hutto, TX)

Next Steps & Connect with Fervent Church:

Plan Your Visit: https://fervent.church/visit

Prayer Requests: https://fervent.church/prayer

Give Online: https://fervent.church/give

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theferventchurch

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Fervent.Church

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/fervent-church/donations

As we close out the year, we take time to look back on God’s faithfulness and look ahead with intention as a church family.

In this message, we reflect on how God has sustained Fervent Church—celebrating five years of ministry, baptisms, generosity in our city, and the ways He’s been forming us through His Word and community. We’re reminded that transformation doesn’t happen by accident, and that real growth begins when we choose to be present.

Our focus verse as we head into the new year comes from James 4:8:

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”

We also introduce a 7-week church-wide challenge using Practicing the Way devotionals on the YouVersion Bible App and preview our new series beginning next week through the book of Colossians, centered on the supremacy of Christ.

Whether you’re reflecting on the past year or preparing your heart for what’s ahead, this message is an invitation to draw near to Jesus and be formed by Him.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/fervent-church/donations

Celebrate Christmas with this Christmas message from Fervent Church as we reflect on the powerful truth of Immanuel — God with us.

In this sermon, we walk through the story of God’s presence—from Exodus 40, where the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, to the fulfillment of God’s promise in Jesus Christ, the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1).

This message also focuses on why Jesus came: to save His people from their sins, to bring light into darkness, and to offer eternal life to all who believe. We are reminded that Christmas is not just about a birth, but about rescue, redemption, and restoration.

Whether you’re listening on Christmas Eve or later, our prayer is that this message points you to the hope, grace, and salvation found in Jesus.

🔗 Connect With Fervent Church

Plan Your Visit: https://fervent.church/visit

Prayer Requests: https://fervent.church/prayer

Give Online: https://fervent.church/give

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theferventchurch

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/fervent-church/donations

As we enter Christmas week, it’s worth asking an honest question: Have we made room for Jesus, or have we filled our lives with everything else?

In this message, Making Room, we walk through Exodus chapters 35–40, the powerful conclusion of the book of Exodus. After being rescued from slavery, God’s people respond with willing obedience, joyful generosity, and faithful service, working together in their God-given gifts to prepare a dwelling place for God’s presence.

This passage shows us that the story of Exodus is also our story. We were once slaves to sin, but by God’s mercy and grace, we have been set free through Jesus. And just like Israel, we often struggle—grumbling, doubting, drifting, and turning back to old ways. Yet God’s desire has never changed: to dwell with His redeemed people.

This message highlights the beauty of serving the Lord together as the body of Christ—each person doing their part, giving willingly, and making room for God’s presence. As we prepare for Christmas, we are reminded that the greatest gift is not what we place under the tree, but God with us.

📖 Scripture: Exodus 35–40

🎄 Theme: Making room for God’s presence

⛪ Church: Fervent Church – Hutto, TX

🔗 Connect With Us

Plan Your Visit: https://fervent.church/visit

Prayer Requests: https://fervent.church/prayer

Give Online: https://fervent.church/give

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Fervent.Church

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theferventchurch

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/fervent-church/donations

What truly sets God’s people apart—success, blessing, or God’s presence?

In this episode, we continue our verse-by-verse study through the book of Exodus, teaching through Exodus chapters 33–34. After Israel’s rebellion with the golden calf, Moses intercedes before God and prays one of the most powerful prayers in Scripture: “If Your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.”

In this message, we see how a holy God chooses to remain with a sinful people through grace, covenant renewal, and His faithful character. God reveals His name, restores what sin has broken, calls His people to holy worship, and ultimately points us forward to Jesus—the One who secures God’s presence with us forever.

Whether you’re driving, working out, or spending time in God’s Word, this message invites you to seek God—not just for what He gives, but for who He is.

🔗 Connect with Fervent Church

📅 Plan Your Visit: https://fervent.church/visit

🙏 Prayer Requests: https://fervent.church/prayer

💙 Give Online: https://fervent.church/give

Follow us online:

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theferventchurch

▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Fervent.Church

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/fervent-church/donations

In this week’s message from our series through Exodus, Pastor Nick teaches from Exodus 32, where Israel grows impatient in the waiting and wanders into idolatry. When God feels slow, our hearts often drift—we follow the crowd, return to old habits, and grab for something we can see. But even in our wandering, God calls us back through a greater Mediator: Jesus.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why waiting seasons reveal what we truly worship

• The danger of bandwagon spirituality & fear of man

• How old patterns creep back in when we feel uncertain

• God’s response to the golden calf

• Moses’ bold intercession and how it points to Jesus

• The invitation to destroy our idols and return to the Lord

If you’re walking through a season of uncertainty, fighting old habits, or needing encouragement to stay faithful in the waiting, this message is for you. Jesus meets us in both our waiting and our wandering.

CONNECT WITH FERVENT CHURCH

Plan Your Visit: https://fervent.church/visit

Prayer Requests: https://fervent.church/prayer

Give Online: https://fervent.church/give

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theferventchurch

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Fervent.Church

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/fervent-church/donations