Harbor Rock Tabernacle

After Paul reminds the Colossian believers of the awesome reality of Christ's work, he then calls them to boldly live as those who are no longer alienated from God and marked by sin. He establishes the need and expectation to continue on to maturity, "firmly established and steadfast, not moving away from the hope of the Gospel". Our effectiveness in this continuation will be driven by our love for the Lord and for His work. 

As believers, it can be all too easy to take for granted what Jesus has done for us, rather than being amazed every day. Paul was concerned that the Colossians might be prone to do that, so he focuses right at the start on the fact that Jesus has rescued us from the pit of sin, redeemed us by buying us and forgiving us, relocated us from the domain of the darkness to His Kingdom, and reconciled us to Him forever. These powerful truths change our perspective, how we live and the ministry we have to others. 

In his most Christ-centered letter, the apostle Paul teaching young believers how to live because of what Jesus has done.  Because the message of the Gospel is most effective when given by people whose faith and love is open and obvious, Paul calls believers to assess how faithfully we are living for Christ.  We need to be filled with Him, pleasing Him in everything, bearing fruit and living by His power.

Very few of us enjoy waiting and being patient, because we want our way and get frustrated when people and circumstances get in our way. But how do we respond when the Lord causes the delay? Multiple times after the Resurrection, Jesus told the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit. Those 50 days were valuable, as they learned to wait and pray, The humility and refocusing of priorities built strength into their hearts, minds and ministry that we desperately need.  Video of this service is also available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5LTVXbxrG8&t=3689s

 Mankind tends to view hope as wishing for something with some degree of uncertainty, but the Bible defines it as "joyful and confident expectation". That all centers on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But in the aftermath of the cross, Jesus' disciples lost hope, and were depressed...to the point that at first, they didn't believe the news that the tomb was empty. But slowly, they remembered His words, and when they saw Him alive, it radically transformed their lives and their ministry, because His resurrection changed everything. 

When he met Jesus, the Roman governor Pilate had a dilemma--he knew Jesus was innocent, but the crowds demanded punishment. Pilate ignored warnings and didn't seek truth even though it was right in front of him, and unsuccessfully tried to wash his hands of any guilt. It's a stark contrast to the humility and sacrifice Jesus had shown in washing the disciples' feet 12 hours earlier, and exemplifies the difference between the heart of God and the heart of man. 

Half of the verses in the 3 Gospel texts about Jesus' "Palm Sunday" entrance into Jerusalem focus on getting the donkey He rode, fulfilling prophecy. For each of the components of the scene--the 2 disciples, the owners, the 2 donkeys and the ropes--there are important spiritual principles about trust and obedience, yielding control, compliance and being free to be utilized by the Lord. So are we prepared and available when "the Lord has need of us"? 

As believers, Christ has secured us to experience eternal victory, but He has also provided for us to live in victory now. But like the Israelites in the Old Testament, sometimes we act with subtle insubordination, looking at the obstacles and opposition as excuses to partially obey. When Israel occupied the Promised Land, the tribe of Manasseh was hesitant...but the Lord called them to take full possession, trusting Him for HIs help and victory. Similarly, we are to drive out sin and persuade people to trust Christ with their lives. 

The aggressive promotion of self-focus, victimhood and not taking responsibility is a method the devil is using to corrupt the culture, but also to discourage Christians. But we have to fight this, always remembering and secure that with the Lord, there is always victory and no defeat. We have to make sure we're not walking in darkness and being overwhelmed by the spiritual attack, by constantly trusting and praising the Lord for His faithful sufficiency.   Video of this service is also available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmYgzLeY4n4&t=29s

The preparation, planning and passion that surfers model can teach and inspire us to greater faithfulness and effectiveness in our walk. This includes understanding how world events align with Scripture, enduring with fearless conviction and confidence in God's victory in times of temptation and attack, and being on the crest of what the Lord is doing. Even more than surfers, our dedication to the Lord is our life, and we are called to fully commit to it with joy.  Video of this service is also available:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSqrdBv5ijs&t=4013s