We continue with the tone change from Paul as he’s combating destructive beliefs. The technical word is "polemical" meaning: Strongly critical & highly-controversial. And his applications are uncomfortable in mainstream culture today! The church was wrestling with Gnosticism AND its impact on the believers. Today the topics impacting our culture are found in these avenues:
Social media
Cable News
Written publications
Academia (college campuses)
& Politics
So the church needs to know how powerfully God has spoken against all corrupting influences! Yet applying the word to these topics comes with a massive cost! So pastors accurately teach scriptures but stop-short of the full-force by giving wimpy applications to questions nobody’s asking!
Defensive Stance
Colossians 2:8-10
November 3, 2019 • Pastor Jeff Cramer
Stopping Bad Decisions
September 15, 2019 • Pastor Jeff Cramer
Today we kick off a new study in the book of Colossians; This letter was written about 3-years after the book of Romans some where around (60AD - 62 AD). This morning the only reason we want to know the time frame is so we can see where Paul was at in his life. We get to see that change is possible! A guy that was NOT welcome in church becomes the one who cares for the church!
Jesus Is The Center
September 22, 2019 • Pastor Jeff Cramer
Today we dive right into the main thrust of this letter the preeminence of Christ! This topic lays the foundation of what we believe and it also combats the false philosophy’s of any age. Point being, the theological topics in Colossians are important to grow in as we live out our Christian Faith.
He's Number One
September 29, 2019 • Pastor Jeff Cramer
Last week we learned why the topic of Preeminence took center stage with the believers in Colossae. They were immature & needed to be grounded in the faith. They were being harassed & confused by heretical doctrines and Paul wanted to see them succeed (strengthened). So too, our understanding of Biblical truths directly affect the way we live our lives because we live out what we believe. We've seen the Superiority of Christ in Creation (vv.15-17), and in the Church (vv.18-23) Today we see the Superiority of Christ in our individual lives & ministries. Paul magnifies three particular points: 1) Suffering for Christ (1:24) 2) Proclaiming Christ (1:25-28) 3) Depending on Christ (1:29)