Sermons

Who or what is your life? At times we can get deceived and sucked into times of disillusionment, not even knowing that we are practicing idolatry. We think of idolatry as something that was done thousands of years ago with manmade statues. There is so much more to the evil of idolatry. An idol is something that dominates our life or something we try to appease. To practice idolatry is to be a slave. So again, who or what is your life? Paul calls those who have been completely changed by Christ to be hidden in Him, that Jesus would be their life. May we be challenged and encouraged today to put to death the idols in our life and be hidden in Christ

This morning’s teacher is Scott Berthel. Scott and his wife Sally have two beautiful girls, Isabella (2nd Grade) and Elliana (Preschool). It is a joy to have them here at The Ridge. During the week one of Scott’s main spheres of influence is Trinity Christian Academy, where he serves as the assistant head of the middle school. This morning we continue in Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae. Paul encourages us to keep seeking and to set our minds on the things above (3.1-4).

Though the word legalism is never actually mentioned in Scripture we definitely see this great evil mentioned throughout its pages. Today as we continue to look at Paul’s writing to the church at Colossae we see the great danger of legalism and the strong warnings to flee from it. Legalism and all its other false religion counterparts exist in a false world, but complete reality is found in Christ alone. Be encouraged today to continually walk in the true light of God’s grace by the power of the Spirit and not according to your own strength. May legalism die!

This week we are gathering with our dear friends from Nahnum Church to worship. As we worship in song, communion and around the taught Word we are asking the question, Are you working in the Vineyard? So often we make promises and say we will do this or that, but fail to follow through and follow up our words with action. The Kingdom of God is a growing and fruitful Vineyard that faithful followers of Christ are to be working in, whether in or out of season. May we go and work in the Vineyard today.

What captivates you? Maybe it is a breathtaking sunset or a beautiful rainbow after a Spring storm. There are many things that can capture our attention and affections. Today we pray that you would be captivated by the Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ alone. He made the sunset, the rainbow and He was triumphal over death by raising from the dead. Be captivated by Jesus on this Easter Sunday.

On this Good Friday we rejoice at the great gift God has given us in His Son, Jesus! His afflictions have healed us and given us a mission. The mission is to fill up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions. His death is sufficient, but the church is to take knowledge of the mystery (the gospel), Christ Himself, to the nations. May we do our share as Paul does and rejoice at the effect God so graciously produces.

Reconciliation is an important word in Scripture. It is vital to the description of the gospel. On this Maundy Thursday as we come around the Lord's table we are challenged by Paul's words to the Colossians to remember and proclaim reconciliation.

Today we gather on this Palm Sunday to thank God for what He has done in and through Christ for us. He has qualified us for His Kingdom. We do not deserve it, nor can we earn it, but He graciously transfers us to His Kingdom. So, we must know who Jesus is, that He is Lord over all and that He can be our Lord as well.

Today we begin a series on The Apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae. In his letter this young church plant, he addresses issues of blurred lines and pre-eminence nearly two thousand years ago. Though the religion, philosophy or gods of this era had names like Judaism, syncretism or even some Greek mythology the issue is the same today. What the soul of man needs cannot be found anywhere else, only in Christ. Christ is supreme and should not be seen as just an add on to our life, but should be supreme over all things. May Christ have the supremacy over all things in our life.

Our current series is entitled, The Church: Belong to Become. As we close out our series this week we look at the witness of the Church. The zeal and vitality of the first century Christians in the book of Acts is so needed today. Our prayer this week is that God would give us a burden to open our mouths and share the gospel and that others would come to know Jesus Christ.