One slip can make a mountain journey feel deadly. Psalm 121 directs the frightened traveller beyond the hills to their Maker, the faithful God who never sleeps and stays close. His keeping does not promise freedom from pain, illness, or loss; it means evil cannot separate His people from His purposes and love. Jesus endured judgement without shelter at the cross, breaking sin's curse so those who trust Him will never be forsaken and will reach God's new creation.

Bible Reference: Psalm 121

Preacher: Ben Fien

Onesimus fled Philemon's household and wronged him. He now returns as a brother in Christ. Paul asks Philemon to welcome him as he would welcome Paul, freely rather than under pressure, and offers to repay any debt. Jesus grounds this new way of relating: the Lord became a servant and paid His people's debt on the cross. His grace creates a family where old power structures yield to forgiveness, honour, and peace between former enemies.

Bible Reference: Philemon

Preacher: Ben Fien

People from different cultures, classes and histories often struggle to stay united, especially after disappointment or betrayal. Colossians 4 names a diverse group serving together, including Onesimus, a runaway slave called a beloved brother, and Mark, once rejected by Paul. Christ makes such partnership possible. His love, shown at the cross and poured into His people by the Holy Spirit, creates one new family. Together they help God's people mature and spread the gospel for God's glory.

Bible Reference: Colossians 4:7–18

Preacher: Ben Fien

Authority can easily become harsh control, while faith can seem detached from ordinary life. Colossians places every household member under Jesus, so marriage, parenting and work become places of loving service rather than selfish power. Prayer remains watchful and thankful, seeking open doors to speak about Christ with outsiders in gracious, fitting ways. Jesus grounds every response. The ruler of heaven became a servant and laid down His life to set His people free.

Bible Reference: Colossians 3:18–4:6

Preacher: Ben Fien

Trying harder can change habits while quietly feeding pride. Paul begins elsewhere: those who trust Jesus are united to Him, sharing in His death to sin and His risen life. With minds fixed on Christ, they put sexual sin and harmful speech to death, replacing them with patient, forgiving love. The good news about Jesus fills their life together through teaching and singing, while every word and action belongs to Him with thanks.

Bible Reference: Colossians 3:1–17

Preacher: Ben Fien

Strict religious rules and impressive spiritual experiences can make simple faith seem inadequate. Food laws and holy days were shadows pointing to Christ, who makes those who trust Him clean before God. Heavenly visions cannot produce the growth God gives as His people stay connected to Christ, their head. Harsh discipline may look wise, but it cannot defeat sin. Freedom rests in Christ’s finished work and His power to change His people, not in human techniques.

Bible Reference: Colossians 2:16–23

Preacher: Ben Fien

Appearance, possessions and success often promise lasting wholeness. Real fullness is found in Christ, because God's whole fullness dwells bodily in Him and those who receive Him are already filled in Him. At the cross, Jesus cancels their whole debt, gives them new life and disarms the powers that accuse them. They can therefore keep walking in Christ with thanksgiving, resisting every claim that salvation or spiritual growth requires Jesus plus something else.

Bible Reference: Colossians 2:6–15

Preacher: Ben Fien

Secret spiritual techniques can look deeper than an openly proclaimed gospel. False teachers offered the Colossians Jesus plus extra practices, but Paul identifies God's revealed mystery as Christ in His people, their hope of glory. Paul suffers to make this good news known, and he proclaims Christ so believers grow mature. His people stand firm in faith, love one another, and find all wisdom and strength in Christ rather than hidden additions.

Bible Reference: Colossians 1:24–2:5

Preacher: Ben Fien

Our broken world leaves people anxious because no human power can repair it. Jesus created all things, holds them together, and began the new creation through His resurrection. By His death, He reconciles His people to God and will bring the whole cosmos into its proper order under His rule. Not every creature is forgiven. He will present His people holy and blameless, so they must remain steady in the gospel rather than add other spiritual powers or solutions to Christ.

Bible Reference: Colossians 1:15–23

Preacher: Ben Fien

Spiritual growth can easily become a search for extra rules, practices, or experiences. Paul points the Colossians back to the true gospel they received, whose fruit appears in faith, love, and hope. They grow by knowing Jesus more deeply, doing good, enduring hardship, and thanking the Father with joy. God has already qualified His people through Christ's forgiveness, so their good works please a Father who has made them His secure children.

Bible Reference: Colossians 1:1–14

Preacher: Ben Fien