As we walk intentionally in this new life in Christ, we must not only "walk worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in every way", but we also must be encouraging each other to do the same. Even while in jail, the apostle Paul had co-labourers who stepped up to faithfully serve in simple ways, with the mindset of a bondservant. This greatly encouraged Pau…

Wars, Elijah, and Red Heifers... Oh My- -Israel Update-

Two of our high school graduates who are called by the Lord powerfully share what the Lord has been teaching them. Matthew Rhoads shares from James 1 about trusting the Lord at all times, even in trials, and as the passage says, "taking control of your joy". Nicolas Lopez talks from Acts 4 about the need to disciple others in the fullness of God an…

Often, we can become "frustrated" with the Lord when we face unhappiness or difficulty. We may see Him as unfair, simply because we don't understand or agree with His will. So the apostle Paul gives us 5 basic instructions at the start of Colossians 4, designed to keep us in the right mindset and also equip us for evangelism and discipling others. …

As a new creation in Christ, living sacrificially under Christ's Lordship, our relationships can't be selfish anymore. Sin, pride, and indifference can hinder us from being humble selfless, which is critical for us to be like Christ. It also greatly improves the relationships of husbands and wives, parents and kids, and servants and masters. When w…

As we weigh the amazing work Christ has done to redeem us, and the calling to live as a new creation in Christ, it's important to ask: "How does the Lord want me to live?" Love requires sacrifice, so if we love the Lord, how does that show in consistent and practical ways? In Colossians 3, the apostle Paul calls us to 10 specific actions that will …

Sermon Audio Passive Leadership Results in Defilement Part 2 - Genesis 34 1-31

Sermon Audio The Doctrine Of Rewards - Episode 20

Because Jesus has saved us from death to life, and is now our Lord and the Head of our lives, our old life has absolutely no place in anything we do as believers. So the Lord gives us the imperative direction to "put to death" and deprive sin of having any power. He says they can become idols to us. So we have to resist justifying impurity and vola…

Sermon Audio Passive Leadership Results in Defilement - Genesis 34-1-31

Sermon Audio The Doctrine Of Rewards - Episode 19

The Birth Pangs of Israel

One of the dangers the young Colossian believers faced was the influence of Judaizers, who wanted to pull them into legalism. So Paul warns them, and us, that being proud and "puffed up" in our mind draws attention away from Jesus, Who is the Head of our lives and the Church. When we understand the characteristics and practical control of our physi…

Sermon Audio The Doctrine Of Rewards - Episode 18

When all of our focus is on Jesus, confidence replaces doubt and we find strength in His work and assurances instead of fearing our circumstances. In the middle of Colossians 2, Paul makes a statement that calls us to be staggered by the transcendence of the Lord, Who still came here as one of us to save us. Through 10 astounding actions, Jesus mak…

Sermon Audio Don't Reconcile This Way- Genesis 33-1-20

Sermon Audio He Who Wrestles With God And Prevails Part 3 Genesis 32-22-32

The battle for people's minds is pervasive--and increasingly, that involves a strong cultural opposition to Jesus and His Word, as well as those who believe in both. Throughout history, man has offered self-centered philosophies to address the spiritual need within, but they all fall short. But Colossians says that "in Christ are hidden all the tre…

He Who Wrestles with God and Prevails - Part 2- Genesis 32-22-32

After Paul reminds the Colossian believers of the awesome reality of Christ's work, he then calls them to boldly live as those who are no longer alienated from God and marked by sin. He establishes the need and expectation to continue on to maturity, "firmly established and steadfast, not moving away from the hope of the Gospel". Our effectiveness …

Sermon Audio He Who Wrestles With God And Prevails Genesis 32-22-32

As believers, it can be all too easy to take for granted what Jesus has done for us, rather than being amazed every day. Paul was concerned that the Colossians might be prone to do that, so he focuses right at the start on the fact that Jesus has rescued us from the pit of sin, redeemed us by buying us and forgiving us, relocated us from the domain…

In his most Christ-centered letter, the apostle Paul teaching young believers how to live because of what Jesus has done. Because the message of the Gospel is most effective when given by people whose faith and love is open and obvious, Paul calls believers to assess how faithfully we are living for Christ. We need to be filled with Him, pleasing H…

Very few of us enjoy waiting and being patient, because we want our way and get frustrated when people and circumstances get in our way. But how do we respond when the Lord causes the delay? Multiple times after the Resurrection, Jesus told the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit. Those 50 days were valuable, as they learned to wait and pray, The…

Sermon Audio The Doctrine of Rewards Episode 12

Mankind tends to view hope as wishing for something with some degree of uncertainty, but the Bible defines it as "joyful and confident expectation". That all centers on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But in the aftermath of the cross, Jesus' disciples lost hope, and were depressed...to the point that at first, they didn't believe the news that t…

When he met Jesus, the Roman governor Pilate had a dilemma--he knew Jesus was innocent, but the crowds demanded punishment. Pilate ignored warnings and didn't seek truth even though it was right in front of him, and unsuccessfully tried to wash his hands of any guilt. It's a stark contrast to the humility and sacrifice Jesus had shown in washing th…

Resurrection Responsibility