Villas Grace Church

Code Shifting is the practice of switching between two or more languages, dialects or accents. It's often exercised as a means to manipulate the perception of one person to another. As Believers, when we share the Gospel, we must refrain from Code Shifting. In our sermon "Speak Grace" from Colossians 4:1-6, the Apostle Paul encourages us to be accurate & consistent when God opens a door for us to share the Gospel.

The health and fitness industry garners around 1.5 trillion dollars annually around the globe. From gym memberships, home gym equipment, supplements, meal plans, to prescription meds …etc. It’s easy to see that people want to make healthy life changes & are willing to spend whatever it takes. Join us this Sunday as we wrap up chapter 3 of Colossians. Here, the Apostle Paul continues to speak to those who have become new creations in Christ. He encourages us to follow God’s design, for a healthy spiritual life. Specifically, he focuses on our home and work life, which is where we'll find out how to live out “The New Person Life”.

Like professionals put on uniforms to distinguish their identity, Believers are to put on their new self in Christ to distinguish their faith. In our sermon "Putting On the New Self pt.2" from Colossians 3:12-17, the Apostle Paul encourages Christians in the actions, perfection & priorities of a Believer. When these three distinguishing marks of Christian character are pursued, unity & harmony are achieved.

Typically, we're able to identify someone's profession based on their attire. Many working professionals wear some type of uniform. For us Believers, the same is true. The uniform of a Believer is repentance, love, truth, wisdom & disdain for sin. Join us for our sermon "Putting On the New Self," from Colossians 3:9-11, where we'll be encouraged to lay aside the old self & put on the new.

Many view religion as just a system of rules to follow. If you just do this or not do that, God will love you and you will obtain eternity. In almost every case, they are correct. However, with Christianity, this is not the case. Join us this Sunday, as we continue our series in Colossians, chapter 3:1-4. In our sermon “Relationship NOT Ritual”, we find that it’s not about following the rules or traditions, but about becoming new creations, which can only be achieved, through our relationship with Christ

Charles Spurgeon was the most widely read preacher of the 19th century. He published over 3,500 sermons & 135 books. One day, one of Spurgeon's spiritual friends asked him, "When are you going to stop smoking cigars?" Spurgeon replied, "When I start smoking to excess." To which his friend responded, "What is excess?" Spurgeon replied, "Two at a time." As Believers, we need to exercise caution regarding legalism, asceticism & mysticism. Also, we need to be careful in how we handle someone else's non-conformity. Join us for our sermon "Spiritual Deception pt.2" from Colossians 2:20-23, where we'll find encouragement in the only thing that leads to righteousness; our faith in the personhood & work of Jesus!

The world is full of deception. Take designer hand bags for example. They might have a "Made in Italy" tag, but that doesn't necessarily mean they were made by an Italian artisan. In fact, designer hand bags are made in Chinese sweat shops, then shipped to Italy where the final "Made in Italy" tag is sewn on. According to European Union law, this is perfectly legal, as long as the product underwent the "last substantial transformation" in the last country of production. This type of deception is not limited to the fashion industry, as news media, academia & governments all use various forms of deception. Join us as we examine the "Spiritual Deception" from Colossians 2:16-19, that's been upon the Church since its inception. We will observe Paul's warning about legalism, asceticism & mysticism which all deny the sufficiency of Christ.

From 1933-34, the John Dillinger gang terrorized the mid-west. In 1934, Dillinger escaped a jail in Crowne Point, Indiana by brandishing a wooden pistol, which he used to force the guards into compliance. As Believers, we know that this is similar to our adversary, who has been disarmed by Christ. Yet, our adversary still attempts to force us into compliance. Join us for our sermon "Alive With Christ" from Colossians 2:13-15, where we'll be encouraged in the benefits of believing & receiving God's grace.

It was once said that 30 philosophers can produce 30 different philosophies, regarding the exact same subject. While philosophy can assist in our understanding of the world around us, it is far better equipped to find the "meaning behind facts,” rather than seeking factual truth itself. Join us this Sunday, as we continue our series in Colossians, with a focus on verses eight through fourteen of chapter two. Here we'll find Paul urging the church NOT to fall for philosophies that contradict the truth found in Scripture. Especially, the truth of Who Jesus is, the truth of what He has done for mankind, and the truth about our response. The world has many philosophical ideas about the Person of Christ, but not one comes close to the truth found in God’s Word. This is precisely why we believe, “Truth > Philosophy”.

The Mystery Manifested - Colossians 1:24-29 - Matthew Niemier by Villas Grace Church