Colossians 1:9-14 Fully Pleasing to God As the gospel transforms us from the domain of darkness into saints standing in the light, our lives are meant to be fully pleasing to God. Â Disciples strive to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. Pray for Spiritual Wisdom (Col. 1:9) Knowledge is the content of truth, wisdom is the comprehension of …
Colossians 1:1-8 Disciples Keep Growing Paul recognized the Colossian church as a group of disciples who had been changed and yet were still being changed by the gospel. Â As disciples, the gospel should be continually bearing fruit and increasing within us and through us. 9 Traits of Growing Disciples Disciples keep growing if: their faith is in Jesus – Faith …
Here I Raise My Ebenezer (1 Sam. 7:2-17) Samuel remembered God’s faithfulness in the past to help him go forward. As individuals and as a church, it is important to celebrate his activity in the previous year as we anticipate his work in the coming year. REPENTANCE (1 Sam. 7:2-6) True repentance always involves a turning to and a turning …
Peace on Earth There Can Only Be One King (Matt. 2:1-21) Herod felt threatened when his throne was challenged by Jesus’ birth.  There is only room for one king on the throne of your life, and you cannot experience peace until Jesus sits upon it. Seeking the King (Matt. 2:1-6) God notified pagan astrologers about Jesus’ birth out of His …
Peace on Earth The Dragon Outside the Nativity (Rev. 12:1-17) The Book of Revelation reveals a different perspective that happened at the birth of Jesus. While the enemy comes to bring chaos, Jesus has come and will come again to bring peace. The Anticipation You will never experience peace until you wake up to the fact that you are at …
Peace on Earth Obedience Over Feelings (Matt. 1:18-25) Joseph thought he had been betrayed by Mary and yet surrendered his personal feelings to obey God’s commands. We must submit to God’s Word to experience God’s peace. THE PROBLEM (Matt. 1:18-19) Submitting to God’s plan can often involve surrendering your reputation. Joseph chose to extend grace when he experienced disgrace. Joseph’s …
Peace on Earth Did the Angels Waste Their Words? (Luke 2:8-14) When the angels announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, they told them that peace on earth had come.  As we look around us, how do we reconcile this supposed peace with the state of the world? ANNOUNCING PEACE Jesus’ birth announcement came to lowly outcasts before the religious …
The Word All Things New (Rev 21:1-8) What once was broken will be made right again. Jesus is making all things new. CONTEXT The Apostle John was exiled on the island of Patmos when he received a revelation from Jesus. Addressed to seven churches, he encouraged the people to persevere in the increasingly challenging times. Jesus sought to protect the …
The Word When Jesus Sat Down (Heb. 10) Priests could never sit down in worship because sacrifices would always need to be offered. Once Jesus offered himself, he sat down at the right hand of God because the task was finished once and for all. CONTEXT As the early Church grew in doctrine, they saw the complete biblical picture become …
The Word Red and Yellow, Black and White (Eph 2:11-22) In Paul’s description of the Church in Ephesians 2, he explained that Jesus’ cross broke down sinful, ethnic boundaries we established.  How are we to combat racism within the Body of Christ? CONTEXT The early Church was originally predominately Jewish, and they initially struggled with how to accept Gentiles. At the …