5 Stones Church exists to help people; Follow Jesus, Discover Purpose, Experience Freedom, Make a Difference. 5 Stones Church is a life-giving church in Franklin, Tennessee.
This week we begin our series through the book of 1 Timothy.What the Church believes shapes how we behave. But what is the actual goal of biblical teaching?In this message, we see that the goal is not information, arguments, or religious performance—but love that flows from a transformed life.
Palm Sunday is a celebration—but it's also a warning.In Matthew 21, the crowd welcomed Jesus with shouts of “Hosanna!”—declaring Him King. But within days, everything changed.What went wrong?The issue wasn't their enthusiasm.It was their expectation.They wanted a political deliverer.Jesus came as a suffering Savior.In this message, we unpack the dangers of:Selective listening (hearing only what we want from God)Conditional worship (praising Jesus only when He meets expectations)Misaligned hope (wanting God to move… but on our terms)Through the P.A.L.M. framework, we see what Jesus actually came to do:Propitiate God's justiceAtone for sinLiberate from sin and deathMinister reconciliation through usThe same question the crowd faced is the one we face today:
Every test reveals what's in us. James shows the contrast between prideful, earthly wisdom and humble, godly wisdom—and calls us to live anchored in Christ through every season.
Our words reveal the condition of our hearts. In this message from James 3–4, we see how the tongue can build up or destroy, bless or curse. While no one can tame the tongue through self-discipline alone, God transforms our speech when we submit our hearts to Him. True maturity in Christ begins with humility and a heart surrendered to God.
Faith in Christ is more than belief—it is a life that demonstrates trust in Him through action. In the book of James, we see that trials give our faith a stage on which it can grow and mature. When believers encounter testing, they have an opportunity to stand firm in Christ and allow their faith to deepen.James reminds us that faith must move beyond simply hearing God's Word. Followers of Jesus are called to be doers of the Word, allowing the truth of Scripture to shape both their hearts and their actions. Genuine faith reveals itself in how we treat others, especially when it comes to favoritism. Showing partiality contradicts the character of God and is inconsistent with the gospel that calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves.Finally, James teaches that faith without action is dead. True faith produces visible fruit through compassion, generosity, and obedience. Every opportunity to serve others becomes a chance to demonstrate our trust in Christ. As believers grow in their relationship with Him, their faith becomes active, visible, and life-changing for the people around them.
Trials are not interruptions to our faith — they are the stage where our faith is revealed, refined, and strengthened. In James 1, we are reminded that perseverance is not how we earn God's grace, but evidence of God's grace at work in us.When temptation comes, we don't blame God. When deception whispers, we don't doubt our Father. Instead, we ask for wisdom, trust His unchanging goodness, and receive His Word with humility.Every trial gives our faith a stage to show itself — and to grow as we stand firm in Christ.
In Colossians 3:17–4:9, we see that following Jesus is not just personal — it's relational. God uses our marriages, parenting, work, leadership, and everyday interactions to draw us into deeper union with Christ.When we crave “more of the world,” we drift toward pride, entitlement, and self-centered living. But when we pursue “more of Christ,” our homes, workplaces, and conversations are transformed. Biblical submission, leadership, obedience, and authority are not about control — they are about honoring Jesus.Because we belong to Christ, we live differently. We work as unto Him. We lead with love. We speak with grace. We pray with expectation. And we share the hope we have in Him.Union with Christ changes everything.
In Colossians 3:1–17, Paul shows us what it looks like to live in union with Christ.Because we have been raised with Him, our lives are no longer rooted in earthly identity but hidden with Christ in God. We are called to actively mortify sin, recognize the idols of the heart, and put on the new self that reflects the image of Christ.Salvation reveals Christ in us. Sanctification reveals Christ through us. And one day, Christ will be revealed to all in glory.This message walks through what it means to: • Set your mind on things above • Kill what belongs to your earthly nature • Put on compassion, humility, and love • Let the peace and Word of Christ rule your life • Represent Jesus in everything you doChrist is all, and in all.
In this message from Colossians 2, we explore Paul's warning against spiritual deception and empty religious substitutes, and his call for believers to remain firmly rooted in Christ. Human philosophy, legalism, mysticism, and asceticism all promise spiritual depth but ultimately fall short. True wisdom, freedom, forgiveness, and fullness are found in Christ alone. Because Jesus fully reveals God and has defeated every opposing power, believers can walk in confidence, gratitude, and spiritual stability — complete in Him.
A verse-by-verse look at Colossians 1 highlighting God's sovereign grace in rescuing, redeeming, and reconciling His people, and our calling to remain steadfast in the gospel and proclaim Christ.
Compelled by grace to live generously
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