In Matthew 9:35-38, Jesus shows us an example of living on mission by the fact that he himself went to everywhere preaching the gospel, noticing and feeling compassion for unbelievers. Jesus tells us the harvest of missions is plentiful, but laborers are lacking to bring in the crop! What are we to do? He commands us to pray for God to raise up more missional workers of his kingdom.

In Colossians 3:1-4, Paul tells us that we must keep our minds set on a Christ-centered perspective because we have been given a new position and sure promise in Jesus.

His Steadfast Love Endures Forever (Psalm 136) | Pastor Adam Swift

In this passage, Paul warns the Colossians not to feel judged or be disqualified by those insisting on practices and spiritual experiences the Lord himself does not command. Spiritual power and progress is not found in what we do or not do, but in holding fast to Jesus by faith as the source of all spiritual growth.

In Colossians 2:8-15, Paul tells us that we should not be of the world. In order to do that, we must know what it means to be in Christ. To keep ourselves from the world's emptiness, we must treasure Christ's fullness.

In these verses, Paul lays out what it looks like to be Christ-centered through and through.

In chapter 2, Paul shows that he had a goal in mind for his ministry to the church. From his example, we learn that we should strive to encourage one another to be united in love and the truth of Jesus.

Easter 2024 (Matthew 28) | Pastor Adam Swift

In a world that is confused about what love is and what it does, Jesus tells us in John 3 that love is seen most supremely in God sending the Son into the world to die for sin.

It can be hard to detect the true from the fraudalent in this world, and it is no different in the church. How do we know what a true gospel ministry looks like? In Colossians 1:24-29, Paul lays out a defense of his own ministry as an example for us of a genuine gospel ministry for us to follow.