There is good news and bad news this week. The good news is that the passage that we are studying is fairly easy to understand. The language is clear, the words are recognizable, and the flow of thought is very consistent. The bad news is that there is no mistaking what this passage says about sin, and about our involvement in that sin. This week, we look at “Putting Sin to Death.” Whether we know it or not, whether we […]

What does it mean to worship, and what are the ways that we are called to worship? Perhaps most of us hear the word and immediately think of the songs that we sing on a Sunday morning. And that certainly is one aspect of our worship. But really, to worship is to recognize the honor, merit, or value of something. When we worship, we recognize and respond to the greatness of God. And that response involves our voices in singing, […]

We are moving through the heart of the book of Colossians. The foundation has been laid, and Paul has made it clear that in Jesus Christ believers have everything that they need. Now, as we move through chapter 2, he begins to address the dangerous false teaching that was creeping into the church in Colossae. What are some of the characteristics of that false teaching? Are there any overlaps with what the church faces today? What makes false teaching so […]

Today, we will begin by going back to the last two verses of the passage from last week. These two verses are the pivot point of the book and are worth a second look. Last week, Matt talked about the results we should see in our lives because we have received Christ Jesus as Lord. This week, we will focus on the truth that Jesus is enough for us. We don’t know all the details of the errors that were […]

As we move into the second chapter of Colossians, Paul’s focus doesn’t seem to change much from what we learned about last week. He has talked about his ministry to the church, and what some essential characteristics of that ministry are. This week, we will look at the first 7 verses of chapter 2 and hear what Paul’s ministry works towards. If last week was the “how,” then this week might be seen as the “why.” Why does Paul work […]

As we come to the conclusion of the first chapter of Colossians, we are going to see a broad overview of what gospel ministry looks like. Now, our conclusion might be that Paul was called to ministry, but there isn’t much in the way of personal application from a passage like this. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Paul expects and anticipates that all genuine believers will share in the work of ministry. We are entrusted with gifts given […]

We are moving through the book of Colossians, and we have titled our study “Living in Light of the Glory of Christ.” Paul writes to the church in Colossae because they have been exposed to a dangerous false teaching. People have come to them with a message that sounds spiritual, that is packaged as Christianity, but that has departed from the true message of the gospel. The gospel centers around the person and work of Jesus Christ. In order to […]

As we move into the book of Colossians, we are going to be brought face to face with the glory of Jesus Christ. Paul writes to a church that was being bombarded by worldly philosophy and man-made religion. And into the spiritual confusion he shines a brilliant light on the person and work of Jesus Christ and the nature of the gospel. It would have been a comforting and clarifying thing for those initial readers to think through, and it […]

(Click “SAVE” above to download the sermon and notes.) As we come into a new year, we come into a season of new things. We have new goals, new resolutions, new habits that we hope to start that will bring change in our lives. As a church, we are moving into a new series. We will be working through Paul’s letter to the Colossians in the coming months. The title for this series is “Living in Light of the Glory […]

(Click “SAVE” above to download the sermon and notes.) Today, our service will look a little bit different than normal, but for very good reason. Churches go through seasons of change. Over the past year, this body has seen the retirement of Pastor Jim who was a faithful shepherd for over 30 years. We have said goodbye to Pastor Patrick as he and his family pursue God’s leading to Idaho and a new ministry there. We have welcomed Pastor Matt […]