Paul is assuring the church ( the Colossian, Laodicean, and even us today) that he is completely committed to Christ and His Body. He sees it as a privilege from God to be able to provide encouragement and council to the church, even though he has never been able to visit them. Paul (and Timothy) are very aware of the heresy that has tried to work its way into the church and want to make it very clear that there is no greater hope than knowing that Christ is in them and that through Him and Him alone comes all wisdom and knowledge.

Jesus is before all, created all, is in all, and holds all together - that is great news! These truths will have an incredible freeing impact on who we are and how we live if we will believe and embrace it.

Paul wrote to the believers in Colossae to combat religious relativism and to reaffirm the supremacy of Christ. In Chapter 1:3-14, Paul encourages the Colossians with a prayer for knowing the will of God and the need to live lives that please God.

Paul wrote to the believers in Colossae to combat religious relativism and to reaffirm the supremacy of Christ. In Chapter 1:3-14, Paul encourages the Colossians with a prayer for knowing the will of God and the need to live lives that please God.

The Colossian church had several issues that Paul takes time to address in this book. At the beginning of Chapter 1, we look at being in the will of God, what it looks like to be faithful, and living under "grace & peace".

The Colossian church had several issues that Paul takes time to address in this book. At the beginning of Chapter 1, we look at being in the will of God, what it looks like to be faithful, and living under "grace & peace".

After Jesus announced His mission to the world ( See Luke 4:18&19), He knew that it would be lived out through His followers We are His last strategy. He has chosen us to live a simple life filled with His Spirit and His Word to carry out the mission He began. We are to be His hands and His feet, by demonstrating His love and His truth where ever we are.

Jesus’ modeled fully that we need to walk in step with the Holy Spirit if we are to truly embody grace and truth in the every day circumstances of our every day lives.

Walking in Grace and Truth concludes our series. In this message we look at the context for walking in grace and truth. We will examine the Biblical phrase, "speaking the truth in love" and what it means to us as believers and some practical ways to accomplish this.

The Gift of Truth is the companion gift to the Gift of Grace. Our discovery of truth begins with Jesus, who is the Truth. When we embrace the truth, it brings freedom to our lives. It changes our heart and we start moving to a place where we can experience God’s power and presence through the Holy Spirit. Our awareness increases and we recognize God working in our lives and the lives of those around us. Our self image is corrected, and our relationships ( family, church , work) improve.