Sermons | Local Church in Wabash, Indiana | Bachelor Creek

We spend so much of life waiting: waiting in lines, in traffic, for our kids, for test results, for a promotion, for our turn, etc.. We would rather not wait, but Scripture shows that God does some of His best work in the waiting. Better yet, God does not waste the waiting. How we choose to wait determines whether we experience spiritual growth or spiritual decline.

Most of us have a distorted view of work. On one extreme, some are content to sit back and take it easy, expecting everything to be handed to them. On the other extreme, some of us put too much weight on what we do by finding our identity in our work. God invites us to partner with Him. Yes, we plan, work, and give our best effort, but we trust God with the outcomes. This type of living allows us to truly embrace rest as we receive God’s divine love.

Psalm 121 assures us that our help comes from the Lord. When we’re in need, we can turn to God because He watches over us. While God doesn’t promise to prevent us from walking into harm, He does promise to preserve us when we encounter harm.

In the final chapter of Colossians, Paul closes his letter by refocusing the church on what matters most: the gospel. His practical advice for the early church is still applicable for us today.

We all submit to somebody. We submit to our parents, or our teachers, our boss, our Governing Authorities, the police… even the Elders of this Church. Submission sounds like a bad thing but God, in His infinite wisdom, has made submission something honorable. Ultimately, we submit to Jesus Christ, who is the head of the body… the Church. Submitting to my Savior is not a burden because I know that He loves me. I know that He provides for me. I know that He protects me. I know that He would die for me.

Like cleaning out an old closet, new life in Christ means getting a new wardrobe. It involves taking off our old selves and putting on virtues that reflect the inner transformation we’ve experienced. The hope found in the Gospel teaches us how to honor Christ in both word and action.

If we’re not paying attention, it’s easy to be deceived. In Colossians 2:6-23, Paul describes how a life rooted in Christ is the key to avoiding the deception the enemy wants to bring in our lives. Without deep roots, we’ll topple over when the storms come.

When we catch a glimpse of Christ as He truly is, we bow in humble worship. Christ is Lord of All; He requires and deserves nothing less than everything we have to give.

Who is Jesus? Paul’s letter to the Colossians tells us. No book in the New Testament presents such a comprehensive picture of the supremacy of Christ as Colossians. In chapter 1, vs. 1-14, Paul begins the letter with a prayer for the believers. In it, he outlines what it looks like to live a life that pleases God. If we take to heart what Paul says, every one of us can move from people-pleasing to God-pleasing.

Memories are great, but when your memories exceed your dreams, the end is near. We follow Jesus, the pioneer of our faith. With our eyes fixed on Him, we move forward. Christ has not called us to settle, He’s called us to go! Our best days are ahead of us.