Struggling With A Smile

Northwest Gospel Church

Struggling With A Smile

Colossians 1:24-2:5

October 6, 2024 • Andrew Murch • Colossians 1:24–29, Colossians 2:1–5

Colossians 1:24-2:5 | Andrew Murch | We are called to make disciples of all peoples because God loves them. He made them. He wants to return them to community with himself. How will we do this? Truth and love. Righteousness and compassion. Paul writes that “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Not only is life in Christ but life to the fullest. These treasures and riches cannot be swallowed by the grave, destroyed by moths, or reduced to rubble. We become connected to Christ to spread his love. We are changed so that we cannot help but support our brothers and sisters, both those who are with us or will join us by God’s grace.

Around the Table

November 24, 2024 • Andrew Murch • Colossians 4:7–18

Colossians 4:7-18 | Andrew Murch | Sitting on the floor of a Roman prison and bound in chains, Paul concludes the dictation of his letter to the church in Colossae. In his usual format, Paul closes the letter by extending his greetings to the complex network of leaders connected with his churches across the Roman world. After all that Paul has written to the Colossian church, this is what he wants to leave them with. Also, this means that after all that the Holy Spirit has inspired Paul to write to His people, this is what He wants to leave His people, us, with. It’s easy to neglect these greetings and skim through them, but they matter just as much as every other word of Scripture - let’s see why!

Being the Church

November 17, 2024 • Andrew Murch • Colossians 4:2–6

Colossians 4:2-6 | Andrew Murch | This week, after pointed instruction about the household of the follower of Jesus, Paul begins to conclude his letter, giving some final instructions before wrapping up. He puts his finger on two crucial elements of the Christian life: prayer and our behavior toward those who do not believe. In light of who Jesus is and what he’s done, how should we pray? And how should we act around those who aren’t living as though all things truly are through him and for him?

Colossians 3:18-4:1

November 10, 2024 • Gavin Hesse • Colossians 3:18–25, Colossians 4:1

Colossians 3:18-4:1 | Gavin Hesse | Moving on from his exhortations in the beginning of Colossians 3, Paul now takes those principles and then gives instructions on what it looks like to live life in Christ in the context of the relationships we find ourselves in. He first addresses the family, the foundational relationship of any society. He speaks to wives, husbands, children, and fathers before turning his attention to servants and masters. Our lives in Christ are to reflect him fully, no matter what role we find ourselves fulfilling, living out verses twelve through seventeen in every context.