Sermons from April 2016
Rooted in Jesus
In Colossians 2:6-15, Paul builds upon the centrality of Christ with a call toward spiritual growth individually and corporately. This is rooted in the gospel and contrasts with our own abilities and any sort of false spirituality built upon human activity. Sermon Outline “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7)…
Jesus, God’s Secret Revealed
Continuing with deep exploration of Christ as the revelation of God’s mystery and the gospel in Colossians 1:24-2:5, Paul talks about his defense of the gospel. This hints that there may be something within the Colossian setting threatening their faith in the pure gospel. For Paul it is all about Christ and the gospel. Sermon Outline “God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”…
Jesus the Revelation of God
Paul’s strong statement in Colossians 1:15-23 sets the tone of this whole section: “the Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” With a summary of the gospel and a deepened Christology than almost any other place in the New Testament canon, we encounter a powerful teaching on Jesus. Sermon Outline The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” (Colossians 1:15) Christ and Creation (Colossians 1:15-18a) The image The…
Praying to the Center
Prayer is the environment in which we connect deeply with God and one another through the gospel. In the beginning of his letter to the Colossians, Paul doesn’t merely talk about prayer, but prays into the presence of God as he opens the letter (Colossians 1:1-14). This shows us the priority and place of prayer in our lives. Sermon Outline “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you” (Colossians 1:3) Starting with…