South Lansing Christian Church

The Kingdom of God is beyond this world. It began breaking into our world in the time of Jesus, and while the cross may have felt like defeat, it was not. Jesus’ resurrection proves that God’s power is able to turn the most tragic events for good. He has sovereignty over all things, even the governments of this world. Therefore, we should be confident, rather than fearful.

God has proven himself faithful, and because of that, Christians can trust that he will act. So then, we devote ourselves to the practices that Paul instructs in Colossians 4:2-6, living with expectancy!

In Colossians 3, Paul writes some clear guidelines for what Christians should and shouldn’t be doing. If we get serious about living according to his instructions today, we’re going to look different than the world around us. We’ll stand out just as much as if we were wearing strange clothes. But, that’s kind of the point. When we look different, we draw attention to and glorify Jesus.

Someone was telling the Colossians that Jesus wasn’t enough, and that they must do more to be saved. Paul set the record straight on that, and reminded the Colossians that they were free! In our churches today, we can be tempted to add more to Jesus, but Colossians reminds us that he is enough. We are free.

The first chapter of Colossians contains a striking hymn of truth about Christ. From it we learn core truths of our faith. These basic tenets form the foundation for a faith that is vibrant, but only if we remain steadfast in the truth and don’t drift!

In our busy, confusing, and overcrowded lives it can become easy to let things slip and become apathetic to our responsibilities, even in our faith. Malachi encourages us to remember, looking both backward and forward, to bring faithfulness in us.

The book of Zechariah is bewildering to us today, and likely would have been so to the people of his day. Even so, the prophet calls God’s people to be faithful in what they already know. Faithfulness in the basics is a key part of obedience, even when you don’t fully understand God.

Daniel and his three friends found themselves welcomed into important roles in Babylon and given new names. Even so, they remembered who they were, and God remembered them. Christians today are tempted to forget their primary identity and to adopt what this world offers. To resist that temptation, we too must remember who we are!

The Apostle Peter quotes Joel in his sermon on Pentecost, giving us a clue that Joel is not just about the locusts! Instead, Joel speaks of the Day of the LORD, and encourages his people to turn back to God in repentance. Repentance is just as important for God’s people today, although we struggle with it. We don’t like to admit we’re wrong.

Ezekiel is sharing God’s prophecies to the people in exile. They have no hope. God tells them He is going to save because he wants to honor his name. They’ve profaned Him by their actions. He will show the nations around them, that he is a good God. He is willing to save them for His honor. He does the same for us. What do we need to surrender to honor His name?