November 24, 2024 • Pastor Mark Johnson • Colossians 4:7–18
God’s work done God’s way is usually done in teams (Psalm 133). Don’t think of Paul as an aloof theologian and detached preacher. He was a people person par excellence and modeled the joy and effectiveness of partnership in Christian life and service. Paul loved the little Greek word sun- (“connected to”) which was often translated fellow or partner, as in fellow-prisoner, fellow-servant, fellow-worker, etc.
Open Doors
November 10, 2024 • Pastor Mark Johnson • Colossians 4:2–6
How grateful are you for your salvation? It is such a privilege to know Who Christ truly is and trust Him as Savior. It is also fantastic to be “In Christ” and be letting Him transform us as we know, reckon, and act on that truth. But, how do we relate to those who do not know him yet? Pi-2 is for every Christian… pray for, invest in, and invite those who are close to you, but far from God.
When Christ Is Lord Of Your Home
November 3, 2024 • Pastor Phillip Macdonald • Colossians 3:18—4:1
Commentator David Garland said: “Nothing is more difficult than living in a family where the virtues of compassion, kindness, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love (3:12-14) are tested daily.” In Colossians 3:18, the Apostle Paul turns his attention from the spiritual family to the physical family. Colossians 3:18-4:1 shows us that when we treasure Christ most of all, we are able to love and serve our family best of all.
Dressed For The Occasion
October 27, 2024 • Pastor Phillip Macdonald • Colossians 3:12–17
None of us want the embarrassment of showing up to a formal black-tie event in a t-shirt and shorts. Likewise, it would be foolish to wear a suit and tie in a tree stand. We must dress for the occasion. Spiritually, there is only one dress code that is fitting for all occasions—godliness! In Colossians 3:1-11, the Apostle Paul instructs believers to put off and put to death their sinful habits. In Colossians 3:12-17, he calls us to put on the character of Christ in accordance with our identity as God’s chosen ones who are holy and beloved.
Kill What's Dead
October 20, 2024 • Pastor Phillip Macdonald • Colossians 3:1–11
“Just stop it!” Perhaps you have told a child that when they are misbehaving. You may have the same attitude towards your sin as a believer: “Oh no, I sinned again…I really need to just stop it!” If you are like me, you’ve found that mere willpower to “stop sinning” is not enough, because you continue to sin. The Apostle Paul did not tell believers to stop sinning—he told them to kill their sin. But how do we do this? If we are going to successfully kill our sin, we have to look to Christ and love Him as our greatest treasure.
Dangerous Additives
October 13, 2024 • Pastor Mark Johnson • Colossians 2:16–23
Beware: Human nature and human religions regularly lean toward human regulations and human effort as the basis of our salvation or sanctification. Do we need 1. Works? 2. Christ + Works? Or, 3. Christ Alone? Remember Colossians 2:10, “You are complete in Him.” Therefore, avoid adding anything to Him for your salvation or growth and maturity.
All You Need
October 6, 2024 • Pastor Mark Johnson • Colossians 2:6–15
It sounds strange and over the top to most people of this world; but Jesus Christ is the one great need of every human being. When we come to him by faith and walk with Him by faith, we are truly “complete in Him” and experience “abundant life.”
Christ's Church
September 29, 2024 • Pastor Mark Johnson • Colossians 1:24—2:5
The rich letter to the Colossians Church calls us all to Treasure Christ. In presenting the glorious Person of Christ in chapter 1, Paul included the truth that He is the head of the Body, the Church… (1:18). Paul became a minister (servant) of this Good News; and as he unpacked what that meant, three glorious understandings of the Church, Christ’s Body stood forth. Remember that “church” is not a place we go; it’s who we are.
Treasuring Christ Exalted
September 22, 2024 • Pastor Phillip Macdonald • Colossians 1:15–23
Colossians 1:15-23 is one of the greatest and richest passages on Christ in the New Testament. Here, the Apostle Paul surveys the glories and the supremacy of Christ. The exalted Christ deserves our highest praise and our deepest devotion, for he is our greatest treasure.
How To Pray For One Another
September 15, 2024 • Pastor Phillip Macdonald • Colossians 1:9–14
Praying for other believers is difficult. We may struggle to pray for others at all. If we do pray for other people, we may find we only pray for something bad not to happen, or after something bad has happened. We can learn how to pray for one another by following Paul’s example in Colossians 1:9-14. When we pray unceasingly for one another’s spiritual health and growth, we honor God and help each other.
Thank God for the Gospel
September 8, 2024 • Pastor Phillip Macdonald • Colossians 1:1–8
Welcome to our new sermon series: Treasuring Christ: A Study in Colossians. Paul tells us in Colossians that “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” are in Christ. If all treasures are in Christ, then believers should treasure Christ above all. We begin treasuring Christ by thanking God for the gospel—for the change it brings, the fruit it bears, and the growth it yields.
