This week, we begin a new sermon series on the book of Colossians. This 4-chapter book is an epistle, or letter, written by the Apostle Paul to the church in the small city of Colossae, which was known for mishmashing different religious beliefs and practices together, including Paganism, Christianity, and Judaism.

In his letter, Paul encourages the Colossians to withstand the cultural pressures around them by living as holy followers of Jesus who are fully devoted to one another.

This is still an important message for us today as the world around us becomes increasingly hostile towards us and our values. We cannot compromise or cave, but we must remain holy in all we do. And to help us in this, we stand together as family.

Key Text: Colossians 1:1-2
Key Topics: Colossians, Apostle Paul, holiness, Christian values, stand firm

Epaphras was only mentioned in the Bible 3 times, but we know that he was the disciple-maker who shared the Gospel with the people of Colossae and helped establish the church there. When he shared Christ with the Colossians, he broke through their pagan worldview with Christ's virtues of faith, hope, and love.

Our increasingly pagan world still needs that exact same message of faith, hope, and love. That is why each and every one of us must commit to make disciple-making a priority in out lives.

In today's lesson, we'll go over some practical ways that you can do this!

Key Text: Colossians 1:3-8
Key Topics: Disciple-making, church planting, sharing your faith, evangelism

Today we'll explore the difference between knowing about God vs knowing God Himself.

You are invited to have a relationship with him through experience.

Key Text: Colossians 1:9-14

In our text today, Paul clearly states who Christ is: Jesus is supreme. Jesus is sufficient. All creation (past & present) is made through Him and FOR Him. And through His blood, He is reconciling all things to God the Father.

As Christians, it isn't hard to nod and agree with these statements. Our difficulty is living consistently with what we know to be true about Jesus.

The truth is, Jesus is first. And He deserves our first and our best. Today we'll talk about practical ways we can live out our faith, and give Jesus what He deserves!

Key Text: Colossians 1:15-23

In our text this week Paul tells us the purpose behind his work in ministry: to present the church MATURE in Christ. To be mature is to be fully grown, complete, and not lacking.

We all start as babies in the faith, but like all living things, we were designed to grow. Starting out as a baby is expected, remaining that way is a tragedy.

Our worst decisions in life are attributed to spiritual immaturity; many of the problems we experience in our relationships can be attributed to spiritual immaturity; and God does not trust the spiritually immature with heaven's resources as he does with the spiritually mature person.

On the other hand, your best decisions are on the other side of spiritual maturity. Your sweetest moments in relationships will be enjoyed once you experience more spiritual maturity. And God will begin to entrust you with more responsibility and authority as you mature and prepare yourself to receive from Him.

So how do we become spiritually mature?

In this sermon, David Hunzicker reminds us that we must understand that ultimately it's God's work to make you fully complete, but he expects your full participation. Then, he offers us a few practical steps that anyone can take to become spiritually mature.

No matter where you are right now, you can take one step in the right direction this week. And that's what we will do together.

Key Text: Colossians 1:24-29

Just like the Christians in Colossae, our society is also plagued with heresies. And if we do not clearly address and resist them — these false teachings can cost the church it's life and the believer his or her soul.

It's easy to spot a heretical notion by asking a few simple questions:
Does it follow Scripture even when it hurts?
Are sin and salvation the main concerns?
Is Christ (rather than our pleasures) at the center?
Is it self-serving?

David's Book "A Grand Illusion"
https://renew.org/ebook/grand-illusion/

David's Interview with Alisa Childers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R4zPAoY9yw


Key Text: Colossians 2:1-12

Last week, we talked about 2 major heresies that the American church struggles with. This week, we will go over a few practical things that we can do to help us remain faithful to Jesus and avoid falling for heresy.

Key Text: Colossians 2:13-24

This week we get to the heart of the sermon series title — since Christ is who He is (Colossians 1), and since we will reject heresy (Colossians 2), we can be a new person in Christ. The old has died, the new has come!

As a new person in Christ:
1) We set our hearts—our affections, our loves—on heavenly things
2) We set our minds—our thoughts, concerns, philosophy, interests—on things above, not on things on earth
3) We live longing for the revealing of Christ at the second coming

Key Text: Colossians 3:1-4

Colossians 3 contains a call to holiness, calling Christians to avoid sexual immorality, greed, rage, and coarse language.  (As such, this sermon will deal with mature "PG-13" topics.)

In our culture, we have two major ethical systems that compete with one another — hedonism v. holiness. Both ideologies dictate how people should live their lives. With hedonism, the highest value is placed on seeking pleasure and avoiding pain, and it includes phrases like "if it feels good, do it" and "as long as it makes you happy." On the other hand, biblical holiness is guided by obedience to God's will, whether or not it "feels good" to do in the moment.

God calls us to be holy in all areas of our lives because He designed us to truly thrive within a holy lifestyle. Anything outside of God's plan is subpar and ultimately destructive. When it comes to our finances, our eating habits, our speech, and our relationships, God's plan is divinely superior, and the same is true in our sex lives. He created us in such a way that requires sex (reproduction) to survive, but He also blessed us by making that act pleasurable and spiritually unifying. And with that beautifully designed blessing, God expects us to use sex in holy ways.

Key Text: Colossians 3:5-7

We were not intended to have ethical vices; instead, we were designed to live virtuous lives! But because of sin, our natural feelings (pain, fear, etc.) become sources of vices (anger, lying, slander, etc.). The work of Christ is to take us back to the "natural" state of humanity (as we were in Eden) through the work of the Holy Spirit.

But how do we allow the Spirit to work this change in our lives? According to Paul, it starts in the mind. The Holy Spirit offers to "reset" our minds, allowing us to react differently to the pains, fears, mistreatments, and deprivations of life.

Key Text: Colossians 3:8-11

Is it possible to "reprogram" our automatic response to life circumstances? How can we make kindness our first response? How about singing? Gratitude?

When you learn to make the virtues listed in Colossians 3:12-17 your response, then the work of the Spirit will flourish in your life!

And we begin by practicing these concepts together in the church community – especially when it's difficult to do so. How do I practice patience when someone makes it hard for me to do my ministry? Or when someone says something ugly about me? Or when someone leaves the church?

Key Text: Colossians 3:12-17

In Colossians 3:18-21, Paul focuses on giving instructions to each member of the family unit, specifying how they are to treat one another.

Today, we will take a practical approach with each of these commands for husbands, wives, and their children, and we will address some of the fears that accompany them. Come be inspired and challenged!

Key Text: Colossians 3:18-21

When Americans hear the word "slavery," we specifically think of it in terms of a person owning another person as property, which Scripture proclaims is an evil act on the same level as murder!

In the days of the Roman Empire, when the New Testament was being written, the word slavery had multiple, commonplace definitions. For example, a family who owed an enormous debt might agree to serve in the home of a wealthier family in order to work to pay off their debts. That practice, which we would call "indentured servitude" isn't very common today, but in the 1st century, it was referred to as "slavery." Same word, different meanings.

We can still apply the teachings of Paul in Colossians 3:23 to our lives today, though! We are all called to work, and Scripture instructs us to do our work as if we're doing it for Jesus!

Key Text: Colossians 3:22-4:1

It's no secret that we all experience difficulties in our lives. These trials shape us into who we are... either tearing us down or making us stronger. It is BECAUSE we undergo hardship in this life, that we don't know exactly what a person will become.

Jesus was crucified and laid in a tomb, and that appeared to be the end of everything. But then He rose from the grave victorious! In the same way, at the resurrection, we will find all our sorrows undone and the burdens of this life reversed in an eternal act of glory.

Key Text: Colossians 3:1-4

We all know that we are called to share the Gospel with the lost, but maybe you're nervous or don't know where to start.

Start with prayer! Prayer is a CRITICAL tool for making disciples. We must make the most of every opportunity since the souls of the world are at stake!

Prayer Wall:
Our congregation was asked to write down the name of a person they know who is lost on a slip of paper. And then we rolled up those pieces of paper and placed them between the rocks in the wall on our stage — similar to the Western "Wailing" Wall in Jerusalem where Jews leave their prayer requests.

If you are watching or listening online, you can participate by texting "PRAYERWALL" to the number 615-560-7729. Then send the first name of one person you know who doesn't know Jesus.

Key Text: Colossians 4:2-6

Why can't I just follow Jesus in my heart? Why do I have to belong to a church? And if I do become a member, how do I make the most of my time at church?

Today, we will explore how and why the early followers of Jesus formed a tight-knit Christian community. And we'll offer practical ways to immerse yourselves in the life of the church.

Prayer Wall:
Last week, our congregation wrote down the names of people they knew who don't know Jesus and placed them in the rock wall on stage. Our online members were able to submit names via text message

This week, we encouraged church members to come up to the stage after the service in order to take a name and pray for that person.

If you are watching or listening online, you can participate by texting "PRAYER" to the number 615-560-7729. We will respond with the first name of a real person for you to pray for!

Key Text: Colossians 4:7-17

Why did Paul feel that the letters he wrote to one church should be shared with other churches? How did those letters become canonized in the Bible? How do we know that things Paul wrote are really the Word of God?

Today we will take a glimpse into the mind and work of Paul and the nature of inspiration. We'll discuss the early workings and development of the canon, of which Paul is an important contributor. And we'll remind ourselves of the importance of obedience to the canon Scriptures.

Key Text: Colossians 4:18

Today's sermon is a follow-up to "The New You" sermon series, where we will take a look at the book of Philemon, which is only 1 chapter long.

Philemon was a member of the church in Colossae, and he was a good friend of the apostle Paul. In this brief letter, Paul specifically asks Philemon to do something quite extraordinary — to receive a runaway slave back as a brother and a "man" (an important concept, since Romans did not always consider slaves as "men" or "women").

Many of us have a call from God to do something extraordinary, too ... perhaps extraordinarily hard. For the Kingdom to flourish, and for us to grow, we must do the hard thing. Forgive someone who deeply hurt us. Reconcile with someone we haven't seen in years. Start that ministry that we've dreamed about. Give generously to some initiative. Give up some sin.

Whatever your calling is, you will be blessed when you step into it.

Key Text: Philemon 8-21