In our new series called START, we’re looking at the foundational elements of our faith. Whether you’re a new believer trying to figure out this whole Christianity thing, or if you’ve been following Christ for years but want to get back to the basics, this study is for you! 

In the conclusion of our series titled, First: The Preeminence of Jesus in Colossians Pastor J.D. encourages us to pray, act wisely, and stay alert as he follows Paul’s conclusion of the book of Colossians.

Sometimes, we view our faith as a checkbox on a list. We go to church on the weekends, check that box, and move on. But in this message, Pastor J.D. reminds us that Jesus isn’t one part of our life, he’s first in everything.

Pastor J.D. cautions us about treating Jesus like an a la carte menu. We’ll see that we can’t take Jesus and “a little bit of this” and “a little bit of that” as we continue our series called, First: The Preeminence of Christ in Colossians.

Have you ever considered that everyday you are experiencing the fruits of the audacious faith of others who came before you? You are the fruit of someone’s bold faith! Now, are you following in the footsteps of those that put their faith first or are you giving Jesus sloppy leftovers?

In the book of Colossians, Paul makes it clear that Jesus is not just a character in God’s story; he’s the author of the story. He’s before all things. He’s above all things. He’s first in all things. In light of who Jesus is, Pastor J.D. asks one simple but revolutionary question: Is Jesus just important to you, or is he truly first in your life?

You’ll likely notice a common message in the ads and marketing that surround us: the accumulation of more things equals happiness. But with a “never enough” mindset, it’s impossible to be what God desires us to be: cheerful givers. In this message from 2 Corinthians 8–9, Pastor J.D. helps us to see a kind of giving that is motivated not by guilt, but as a response to the grace that we have received. When we have this as our focus, we can move from asking, “What must I give?” to “What do I get to give?”

We’re likely familiar with the call from Jesus to seek the kingdom of God above all other things, but our financial decisions are one indicator of what we are truly seeking. In this message from Haggai 1–2, Pastor J.D. encourages us to consider how our giving reflects the priority we have placed on God in our hearts and lives. Just as the Israelites fell to the temptation to place their own comforts and priorities ahead of their worship of God, we are still susceptible to this today. By reorienting our hearts, we can ensure that the stewardship of our finances is in alignment with God’s kingdom.

A legacy is inherently something that reaches far beyond us, making an impact long after we’re gone. So how do we approach the stewardship of our money in a way that leaves a lasting legacy? In this message from Luke 16, Pastor J.D. takes us through one of Jesus’ parables to show us how leveraging our resources for eternity truly is the wisest course of action. If we believe that everything ultimately belongs to God, this will radically change the way in which we handle our finances.

In this final message from our series through 1 Corinthians, Pastor J.D. walks through Paul’s final, rapid-fire exhortations. Often what we learn from others is more caught than taught, and the final chapter in this book exemplifies that truth. As Paul bounces from topic to topic—principles on giving, the need for courage, dealing with opposition, discerning God’s will—we see a snapshot of a faithful Christian life. And in seeing it, we are encouraged to “go and do likewise.”