Podcasts about Colossae

Onesimus comes back home. The backstory behind his leaving Colossae and his return to it is fascinating. And it teaches us a valuable lesson about who we are in Christ. 

This week Brenda Wehrly, our Community Life Director, continues our Summer in Colossae series from Colossians 2:16-23 before we release for Around the Table.  We also hear another Sabbatical Thought from Pastor Michael.  Col 3:17, 2:16-23

Send us a textJoin Fr. Aaron & Marissa Burt for this week's episode, in which they consider the readings for Proper 10, the Sunday between 7/10-7/16: Deuteronomy 30:9-14; Psalm 25:1-14 (15-21); Colossians 1:1-14; Luke 10:25-37.They discuss the promise of God's life-giving ways, the Psalmist's declaration of trust in God's goodness, Paul's commendation and prayer for the church at Colossae, and Jesus' teaching about compassion, mercy & love in the story of the Good Samaritan.Notes:--Dwell App--Prayers of the People for Pentecost--2019 Book of Common PrayerPentecost: A Day of Power for All People, by: Emilio AlvarezTill We Have Faces, by: CS Lewis Audio Sermons for Advent AnglicanThe Bible ProjectThe Bible Project: Colossians1:01 Collect1:32  Deuteronomy 30:9-1410:19 Psalm 25:1-14 (15-21)24:11 Colossians 1:1-1438:42 Luke 10:25-37 Our outro music is an original song by our friend Dcn. Jeremiah Webster, a poet and professor whose giftedness is rivaled by his humbleness. You can find his published works, including After So Many Fires, with a quick Google.

Who is Jesus?  Really.  Who is He?  Who is He to us?  Paul, an apostle of Jesus, wrote to the church at Colossae the immutable truths about Jesus.  Why?  Jack Taylor once said, “A spoken word is like a whisp of smoke.  A written word is as if etched in stone.”  Paul wrote it so it would be in stone for the early church and for us.  Brian Higbee takes an excerpt from this letter to the church in Colossae and talks about who Jesus is to us today.  Check it out.  

THIS EPISODE In this episode, Rob and Vinnie kick off their journey through Paul's letter to the church in Colossae. They explore the striking similarities between Colossians and Ephesians and discuss the possible reasons behind this overlap. Together, they ask, “Where exactly was Colossae?” and “Why does its location matter for interpreting this letter?” The episode also delves into the so-called “Colossian heresy”—a mysterious blend of religious influences that Paul confronts head-on. What was it? Why did it matter then? And what does it mean for us now? Colossians is a short but theologically rich letter that lifts up the cosmic supremacy of Christ and challenges believers to live lives shaped by that reality. Understanding this letter isn't just an academic exercise—it's a call to reimagine what it means to be the church in a world full of competing powers.     FOLLOW THE PODCAST Subscribe to be notified of our new episodes (each Monday).  Want to help us expand the Gospel of the Kingdom? Leave a review, “like” the podcast, or share it with others.     CONNECT WITH DETERMINETRUTH MINISTRIES The Determinetruth Podcast is a ministry of Determinetruth Ministries. We offer free resources to equip pastors, leaders, and the body of Christ in the US and worldwide for service in the kingdom of God. You can visit us online at www.determinetruth.com Check out our YouTube Library, where we have even more content!     SUPPORT DETERMINETRUTH MINISTRIES Determinetruth is a non-profit 501(c)(3), and relies completely on the financial support of our partners around the world.  If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation and help partner with us, please VISIT US HERE  

Tychicus was sent by Paul to deliver his letter to the Colossians. And in that letter, Paul wrote about Tychicus, commending him to the church at Colossae. Why did Paul do that? And what are the implications of Tychicus' commendation for Christians today?

This week Pastor Val continues our series "A Summer in Colossae" teaching from Colossians 2:1-15.  We also watched a video with Sabbatical thoughts from Pastor Michael on dreaming with the Lord about the next 10 years of our lives. Colossians 3:17

Sometimes we spend so much time talking to God -- telling God what to do, telling God what we want to know -- that God can't get a word in edgewise. What if God wanted to say something to us that we wouldn't think to ask? Would we be able to hear it? This Sunday Pastor Jeff launches a new sermon series entitled "What God Wants to Say to Us: Practical Guidance from the Book of Colossians." Instead of us bringing our questions to scripture, we're simply going to study what God wanted to say to the Christians in Colossae and, by extension, to us. Instead of bringing our agenda to scripture, we'll let scripture set the agenda -- and see what we might be missing.

Pastor Glenn Lawson preaches over a few important verses from Paul's letter to the church at Colossae, expounding upon an important truth: We were made alive through Jesus' actions at the cross. What does it truly mean to be alive in Christ, and how does one obtain that?

Your Years Will Have No EndJune 22, 2025 • Greg Pinkner • Colossians 1:19–20This Sunday, Greg continues our summer series on Colossians. Colossians 1:19–20, the final section of the Christological hymn, emphasizes that Jesus is not merely a spiritual being but fully God, in whom all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. Paul writes this to confront false teachings in Colossae that diminished Christ's divinity and authority over all creation and spiritual powers. Reconciliation through Christ is entirely God's work—bringing broken humanity and creation back to Himself, not through mutual compromise, but through the blood of the cross. This peace Jesus offers is not the absence of trouble but the restoration of what was lost in the fall, the resolution of the deep dissonance we feel between what is and what ought to be. Jesus stepped into our suffering, endured the wrath we deserved, and now offers us peace, not as a concept, but as a Person who holds us steady beneath all the chaos.WEBSITE: https://fellowshipknox.org/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fellowshipknox/

Are you a Christian who wants to be used by God when it comes to leading outsiders into the Kingdom of Heaven? In this message we take a look at how Paul instructed the believers in Colossae to engage with those outside the church. The instructions are timeless. Every believer today would do well to take Paul's words to heart. 

This week Joey Onidi, one of our Movement Elders, continues our series "A Summer in Colossae" speaking on the Purpose of Suffering from Colossians 1:24-29.  We also hear a video from Pastor Michael while he's on Sabbatical.

Intro:             Paul was the author, He was in prison at the time. Letter is named for the city of Colosse, which was populated by Gentiles (any one other than Jews) and Jews. Paul wrote this letter because Heresy or beliefs contrary to the Bible plagued the church. The Church had Elements of Jewish Legalism and Pagan mysticism that later became known as Gnosticism. Mysticism is popularly known as becoming one with God or the Absolute, but may refer to any kind of ecstasy or altered state of consciousness which is given a religious or spiritual meaning. It may also refer to the attainment of insight in ultimate or hidden truths, and to human transformation supported by various practices and experiences The Gnostics believed that God is good and matter is evil Self denial and neglect of the body were part of the beliefs Jesus came out of God so He was less than God This led them to deny His true humanity They believed that a secret higher knowledge of scripture was necessary for knowledge of GOD & salvation Jewish legalists Believed that Circumcision was necessary for salvation Had to observe OT rituals such as dietary, laws festivals, and Sabbaths Also were into Rigid Asceticism or self denial The Colossian heresy also called for the worship of angels and mysticism which is a belief that through deep thinking about God one can achieve a direct and immediate awareness of God or divine truth without the use of reason or any ordinary senses. This “wisdom” would release them from earthly things and put them in touch with heavenly things. All of this teaching was but man-made philosophy based on traditions and not on divine truth (Col. 2:8). It grew out of the philosophical question, Why is there evil in this world if creation was made by a holy God?[1] These false teachers tried to change people from the outside, by means of diets and disciplines. But true spiritual growth comes from within.[1]   Since to them matter was evil, they had to find some way to control their own human natures in this pursuit of perfection. Two different practices resulted. One school of thought held that the only way to conquer evil matter was by means of rigid discipline and asceticism (Col. 2:23). The other view taught that it was permissible to engage in all kinds of sin, since matter was evil anyway! It appears that the first opinion was the predominant one in Colossae.[1]   PURPOSE Three purposes emerge from the contents of this epistle. Paul wanted to express his personal interest in this church, which he had evidently not visited. He wrote to warn the Colossians, first, of the danger of returning to their former beliefs and practices. Secondly, he also disproved the false teaching that was threatening this congregation. The outstanding Christian doctrine that this letter deals with is Christology. Thirdly, Paul's great purpose was to set forth the absolute supremacy and sole sufficiency of Jesus Christ. "The church today desperately needs the message of Colossians. We live in a day when religious toleration is interpreted to mean 'one religion is just as good as another.' Some people try to take the best from various religious systems and manufacture their own private religion. To many people, Jesus Christ is only one of several great religious teachers, with no more authority than they. He may be prominent, but He is definitely not preeminent. "This is an age of 'syncretism.' People are trying to harmonize and unite many different schools of thought and come up with a superior religion. Our evangelical churches are in danger of diluting the faith in their loving attempt to understand the beliefs of others. Mysticism, legalism, Eastern religions, self-denial, and man-made philosophies are secretly creeping into churches. They are not denying Christ, but they are dethroning Him and robbing Him of His rightful place of preeminence." MESSAGE The whole message of this epistle is in 2:9-10a.: "For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete." The two statements in this sentence are the great revelations of the Colossian letter. The central doctrine in Colossians is Christology. Kenneth Hanna titled the first two chapters "the preeminence of Christ," and the second two "the preeminence of Christ in life."        Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?              John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.               “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  -John 8:32             Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.              hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don't go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F             The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” —Colossians 2:8While under house arrest, the apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes a letter to the growing church in Colossae. A church that knew Jesus but needed to be reminded of the truth.It's the truth still needed today. The truth of the gospel is that salvation comes through Jesus alone, and once we receive salvation, we are called to live in a manner worthy of the One who saved us.

After nearly four decades of research and patient anticipation, biblical scholar Dr. Clint Arnold joins the Ephesiology Podcast to reflect on his life's work in the ancient city of Colossae—a city long buried but rich in theological relevance. In this fascinating episode, Dr. Arnold shares the backstory behind his groundbreaking scholarship on Colossians and Ephesians, … Continue reading "Episode 202: A Look at Colossae and Colossians with Dr. Clinton Arnold"

This week Pete Soden, one of our Movement Elders, continues our series "A Summer in Collossae" teaching from Col 1:15-23 and we also hear a video with a Father's Day encouragement from Pastor Michael.

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” —Colossians 2:8While under house arrest, the apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes a letter to the growing church in Colossae. A church that knew Jesus but needed to be reminded of the truth.It's the truth still needed today. The truth of the gospel is that salvation comes through Jesus alone, and once we receive salvation, we are called to live in a manner worthy of the One who saved us.

What is the Source of our hope and comfort? What is the foundation of our spiritual life and maturity? It is found in this 'Christ hymn of Colossae.'

In the opening of his letter to the Colossians Paul shared with them how he had been praying for them. Now, as the letter begins drawing to a close, Paul asks them to return the favor - he asks his brothers and sister in the church at Colossae if they would pray for him. Specifically, he asks them to pray for God's intervention in Paul's evangelistic efforts.

Relevance For Today Episode 352 How To Live a Christ Like Life: Paul's Pathway Made Easy Part 4 In this final part of this new series, once again, I'll be sharing key passages from the Apostle Paul's letters to the churches in Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, and Colossae—what we know today as the books Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. My goal is to give you some Bible-based nuggets that'll not only encourage your walk with the Lord but also equip you with practical truths to help you live a Christ-like life every single day. I truly hope you feel blessed and encouraged by what I share with you. If you enjoyed the message, please consider sharing, subscribing, and leaving a rating to help us grow. Thank you, and blessings to you all! Facebook: Stephen Lewis Relevance For Today rftministry@gmail.com Instagram: @relevancefortoday TikTok: @stephenlewisrft YouTube Channel Relevance For Today Stephen Lewis

Movement Elder Cheryl Arnold teaches Colossians 1:1-14 and we also hear a recorded moment from Pastor Michael from sabbatical! 

Send us a textPaul opens up his letter with a salutation that reminds the Christians that they are not only living in Colossae but they are also living in Christ. Both locales have responsibilities. He also encourages them of the certainty of Heaven waits for them in the future. The nice thing about this  letter is that we can find much personal application for our own lives. Listen carefully and see for yourself.

Paul catches word from fellow workers in the Gospel that the church at Colossae is wrestling with some false teaching that had entered their church. While the heresy is not fully identified, we gather that it had an inferior view of Christ, involved worship of angels and asceticism, and promoted man-made traditions. Paul directs their hearts and minds to give glory to Christ and to seek the things that are above, where Christ is. He is Lord over all Creation, and therefore, no elemental, created thing could be as glorious or as powerful as Him.Colossians 1 - 1:11 . Colossians 2 - 5:49 . Colossians 3 - 10:47 . Colossians 4 - 14:39 . Psalm 85 - 17:45 . Psalm 86 - 19:22 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Prayer is one of the most important spiritual disciplines in a Christian's life. And yet so many of us go through seasons where we neglect praying. As the Apostle Paul nears the end of his letter to the church in Colossae, he calls them to prioritize this all-important practice. He calls them (and us!) to give ourselves to prayer. 

This week Pastor Michael kicks off our new series "A Summer in Colossae" with a word of encouragement as we head into the Summer, including a baby dedication and the movement elders praying over him as he heads into sabbatical.  Colossians 3:17  

Episode 351 How To Live a Christ Like Life, Paul's Pathway Made Easy  Part 3 In this new series, I'll be sharing key passages from the Apostle Paul's letters to the churches in Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, and Colossae—what we know today as the books Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. My goal is to give you some Bible-based nuggets that'll not only encourage your walk with the Lord but also equip you with practical truths to help you live a Christ-like life every single day. I truly hope you feel blessed and encouraged by what I share with you. If you enjoyed the message, please consider sharing, subscribing, and leaving a rating to help us grow. Thank you, and blessings to you all! Facebook: Stephen Lewis Relevance For Today rftministry@gmail.com Instagram: @relevancefortoday TikTok: @stephenlewisrft YouTube Channel Relevance For Today Stephen Lewis

In this episode of Footnotes, we begin our summer series in Colossians by exploring the opening chapter of Paul's letter to the church at Colossae. Greg unpacks how Paul confronts false teaching that sought to lower Jesus to the status of angels, and instead elevates Christ as both the Creator and the Redeemer. The heart of the message is clear: Jesus is not merely the bringer of the gospel—He is the gospel. From bearing good fruit to growing in knowledge, Paul ties all of Christian life back to the preeminence of Christ, in whom all things hold together. Watch this episode on YoutubeListen to the Sermon

We wrap up our series on Colossians by looking at 4:7-18. What simple but powerful lessons do we glean from Paul's final words to Colossae?

In his letter to the believers at Colossae, the apostle Paul addressed the various relationships that existed in the home. He spoke to husbands and wives. He spoke to fathers and children. And then he spoke to masters and slaves. When we read Paul's words to masters and slaves he doesn't seem to take issue with the institution of slavery that was widespread across the Roman empire in his day. Was Paul pro-slavery? Was he against it? Was he indifferent to it? We unpack those questions and more in this message. 

Relevance For Today Episode 350 How To Live a Christ-Like Life: Paul's Pathway Made Easy Part 2 In this new series, I'll be sharing key passages from the Apostle Paul's letters to the churches in Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, and Colossae—what we know today as the books Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. My goal is to give you some Bible-based nuggets that'll encourage your walk with the Lord and equip you with practical truths to help you live a Christ-like life every day. I truly hope you feel blessed and encouraged by what I share. If you enjoyed the message, please consider sharing, subscribing, and leaving a rating to help us grow. Thank you, and blessings to you all! Facebook: Stephen Lewis Relevance For Today rftministry@gmail.com Instagram: @relevancefortoday TikTok: @stephenlewisrft YouTube Channel Relevance For Today: Stephen Lewis #FaithBasedPodcast #relevancefortodaypodcast #spiritualspotlightpodcast #hopeinChrist  #ReflectJesus #ChristianLiving #FaithWalk #BeTheLight #JesusFollower #LiveForChrist #WalkInLove #ScriptureTeaching #LiveChristLike #ChristInYou #FruitOfTheSpirit #WalkingInTheSpirit #BibleStudySeries #relevancefortodaypodcast #spiritualspotlightpodcast

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” —Colossians 2:8While under house arrest, the apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes a letter to the growing church in Colossae. A church that knew Jesus but needed to be reminded of the truth.It's the truth still needed today. The truth of the gospel is that salvation comes through Jesus alone, and once we receive salvation, we are called to live in a manner worthy of the One who saved us.

We are studying the Book of Revelation. We are in chapter 3. The church we are looking at is the church of Laodicea.Welcome to the Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast with Dr. John G. Mitchell.Dr. Mitchell gives us the meaning of the word "Laodicea" in which church, there is no praise from the savior. In fact, they were self-sufficient and seemed to need nothing.But the Lord Jesus gives them and us a very different perspective, a divine perspective, of their condition as a church. Laodicea was close in proximity to two other cities. Laodicea, Hieropolis and Colossae were the tri-cities of their day. Each city had a church as we learn from the book of Colossians chapter 4 verse 13.Dr. Mitchell dwells on verses 14 and 15 in this lesson in which he helps us understand the real meaning of the words that Christ is the beginning of the creation of God. Here is Dr. Mitchell, Rev. 3:14-15.

Relevance For Today Episode 349 How To Live a Christ Like Life, Paul's Pathway Made Easy Part 1 In this new series, I'll be sharing key passages from the Apostle Paul's letters to the churches in Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, and Colossae—what we know today as the books Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. My goal is to give you some Bible-based nuggets that'll not only encourage your walk with the Lord but also equip you with practical truths to help you live a Christ-like life every single day. I truly hope you feel blessed and encouraged by what I share with you. If you enjoyed the message, please consider sharing, subscribing, and leaving a rating to help us grow. Thank you, and blessings to you all! Facebook: Stephen Lewis Relevance For Today rftministry@gmail.com Instagram: @relevancefortoday TikTok: @stephenlewisrft YouTube Channel Relevance For Today Stephen Lewis

Paul writes to the church of Colossae—a group of new believers who have embraced the gospel, but false teachings have clouded the truth and simplicity of it. Paul reminds them of what they already know: salvation is through Jesus and Jesus alone. He encourages them to be filled with the knowledge of God's Word, because whatever you're filled with is the very thing that will control you. If you aren't filled with the Word of God, you will be tossed around. There's a world waiting to fill the empty spots. When you are filled with truth, you will walk worthy, please Him, grow, be strengthened, have endurance, and give thanks. True salvation is life change. Be filled with the Truth. Listen to this sermon about being filled with the Truth in the first part of our In The Word series, walking through the book of Colossians.Check out our video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/rJtJ1GDJwMUSubscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/8wmeCwBf_zkLearn more about us at chestnutmountain.orgFollow us on Facebook & Instagram @chestnutmtn_Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave a review, and let us know what you think.

Join Jerry as he walks through the book of Colossians. This letter, written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Colossae, is full of important truths about the second person of the Godhead—Jesus. In a world that has many beliefs, and confusion about God's Word, Paul seeks to set the record straight on who Jesus really is and encourages them to continue growing in Christ.   Grab your Bible and prepare to be encouraged and strengthened through the book of Colossians. You can also join Jerry every day, and take your daily Bible reading to another level with The New Testament Daily with Jerry Dirmann.   « FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » To listen to or download more teachings from Jerry and others from Solid Lives ministries, visit our new media library at: https://app.jesusdisciple.com/jesus-way/media-library « THE NEW TESTAMENT DAILY PODCAST » https://thenewtestamentdailywithjerrydirmann.buzzsprout.com « SOLID LIVES » Find out more about the ministries of Jerry Dirmann and Solid Lives at https://www.solidlives.com/  « SUPPORT » You can help us get free resources like this out to more people. Visit https://pushpay.com/g/jdglobal  Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below: FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » Download or listen at https://SolidLivesMedia.com/ ABOUT SOLID LIVES » Find out more at https://www.solidlives.com/ SUPPORT » Help us get the word out at https://solidlives.com/give/

Celebrate Good Times   Zac Price, Student Ministries Pastor   Colossians 1:1-8 is the introduction for Paul's letter to the Church in Colossae. We dive in to understand that as Saints, we should celebrate who Jesus is.    Click on the links below for additional Cascade Church resources. Connect Card: https://cascadechurch.org/connect Give Online: https://cascadechurch.org/give

My friend Judy was a missionary living in Nairobi, Kenya. She traveled a good deal in and around Nairobi, and if you've ever been there, you know it's pretty much a continual traffic jam. And there are always people lined up on the streets selling everything you can imagine—including to my horror, puppies. One day Judy was traveling with her driver, Baraza, and she saw a woman selling bananas, with a baby strapped to her back and two others playing at her feet. Judy told Baraza, “Pull over; I want to buy some bananas.” She gave him the equivalent of about two dollars and told him to buy all her bananas—about 20. “But Sister,” he said, “why are you buying 20 bananas? You can't eat that many.” “Just buy them,” she told him. He was baffled as to why Judy would want so many bananas, since she lives alone, but he did as she insisted. When he paid the lady for all her bananas, her face lit up with a huge, incredulous smile. That probably represented two days of food for her and her family. Baraza said, “Sister, did you see how happy she was. You did a good thing for her.” Then they traveled on, and Judy saw a crippled man with only one leg by the side of the road. She told Baraza to stop and give him some bananas. Once again, Baraza saw how thrilled the man was to get the bananas. This went on for their entire journey until Judy had given away all the bananas. Baraza—who is a wonderful believer—said, “Sister, this was so good. I can do this. I can give away bananas.” And as a result, Baraza began to carry bananas, apples, and other fruit with him to give to people randomly as God led him. So, he had a banana ministry. What do you have in your hands that could easily become gifts of love to the people in your life—strangers, coworkers, family, friends—whoever?  I'm suggesting that every one of us should look for our banana ministry—something we intentionally do to share the love of God. You're probably familiar with the phrase “random acts of kindness.” Actually, it has become a movement, encouraging people to purposely plan and perform kind acts for others. Lots of research has been done that shows the incredible benefits for the person who decides to plan and execute random acts of kindness. According to research from Emory University, when you are kind to another person, your brain's pleasure and reward centers light up, as if you were the recipient of the good deed—not the giver. This phenomenon is called the “helper's high.” Isn't it interesting that when people follow the principles of Scripture, whether they are believers or not, they discover it benefits everyone. The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy: And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone. . . (2 Timothy 2:24). And to the church in Colossae he wrote: Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12). He was preaching “random acts of kindness” long before the term was coined. Certainly, as followers of Jesus Christ, we should share “random acts of kindness” more than any others because we have the Holy Spirit, and we also have the great privilege of showing God's love to a loveless, often cruel world. And then, as the studies show, we discover what Jesus told us—it is truly more blessed to give than to receive. Let me tell you about my friend, Kiyoko, a Japanese woman in my church. She was inspired to use her creativity to share the gospel. So, she made beautiful little bookmarks with a Bible verses, using things people throw away, like candy wrappers. She carried her bookmarks with her and whenever she had an opportunity—with a stranger, a store clerk, someone she sat by on the bus or airplane—she gave them one of her bookmarks. She called them “born-again bookmarks,” and explained how she makes them from scraps of paper that people throw away. This opened the door for her to tell them that her born-again boo...

Join Jerry as he walks through the book of Colossians. This letter, written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Colossae, is full of important truths about the second person of the Godhead—Jesus. In a world that has many beliefs, and confusion about God's Word, Paul seeks to set the record straight on who Jesus really is and encourages them to continue growing in Christ.   Grab your Bible and prepare to be encouraged and strengthened through the book of Colossians. You can also join Jerry every day, and take your daily Bible reading to another level with The New Testament Daily with Jerry Dirmann.   « FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » To listen to or download more teachings from Jerry and others from Solid Lives ministries, visit our new media library at: https://app.jesusdisciple.com/jesus-way/media-library « THE NEW TESTAMENT DAILY PODCAST » https://thenewtestamentdailywithjerrydirmann.buzzsprout.com « SOLID LIVES » Find out more about the ministries of Jerry Dirmann and Solid Lives at https://www.solidlives.com/  « SUPPORT » You can help us get free resources like this out to more people. Visit https://pushpay.com/g/jdglobal  Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below: FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » Download or listen at https://SolidLivesMedia.com/ ABOUT SOLID LIVES » Find out more at https://www.solidlives.com/ SUPPORT » Help us get the word out at https://solidlives.com/give/

Join Jerry as he walks through the book of Colossians. This letter, written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Colossae, is full of important truths about the second person of the Godhead—Jesus. In a world that has many beliefs, and confusion about God's Word, Paul seeks to set the record straight on who Jesus really is and encourages them to continue growing in Christ.   Grab your Bible and prepare to be encouraged and strengthened through the book of Colossians. You can also join Jerry every day, and take your daily Bible reading to another level with The New Testament Daily with Jerry Dirmann.   « FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » To listen to or download more teachings from Jerry and others from Solid Lives ministries, visit our new media library at: https://app.jesusdisciple.com/jesus-way/media-library « THE NEW TESTAMENT DAILY PODCAST » https://thenewtestamentdailywithjerrydirmann.buzzsprout.com « SOLID LIVES » Find out more about the ministries of Jerry Dirmann and Solid Lives at https://www.solidlives.com/  « SUPPORT » You can help us get free resources like this out to more people. Visit https://pushpay.com/g/jdglobal Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below: FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » Download or listen at https://SolidLivesMedia.com/ ABOUT SOLID LIVES » Find out more at https://www.solidlives.com/ SUPPORT » Help us get the word out at https://solidlives.com/give/

Join Jerry as he walks through the book of Colossians. This letter, written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Colossae, is full of important truths about the second person of the Godhead—Jesus. In a world that has many beliefs, and confusion about God's Word, Paul seeks to set the record straight on who Jesus really is and encourages them to continue growing in Christ.   Grab your Bible and prepare to be encouraged and strengthened through the book of Colossians. You can also join Jerry every day, and take your daily Bible reading to another level with The New Testament Daily with Jerry Dirmann.   « FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » To listen to or download more teachings from Jerry and others from Solid Lives ministries, visit our new media library at: https://app.jesusdisciple.com/jesus-way/media-library « THE NEW TESTAMENT DAILY PODCAST » https://thenewtestamentdailywithjerrydirmann.buzzsprout.com « SOLID LIVES » Find out more about the ministries of Jerry Dirmann and Solid Lives at https://www.solidlives.com/  « SUPPORT » You can help us get free resources like this out to more people. Visit https://pushpay.com/g/jdglobal Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below: FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » Download or listen at https://SolidLivesMedia.com/ ABOUT SOLID LIVES » Find out more at https://www.solidlives.com/ SUPPORT » Help us get the word out at https://solidlives.com/give/

Colossians 3 verses 1-4 tells us that since we have through the act of baptism been raised in him to a new life our thoughts and actions should be in harmony with this. And so from verses 5-9 all those past behaviours are to find no place among believers. Our new self is being renewed every day through our growth in understanding what it means to be “in Christ”. From verses 12-17 the focus of the believer's mind and actions is to centre on living with (and as) Christ. From verses 18 to the chapter's end he addresses the different groups within Christian households and advises on proper behaviour. Chapter 4 continues with instructions for masters and servants – such an important topic as five sixths of the Roman world were slaves. Verses 2-4 is a request to those at Colossae to pray for Paul's preaching. Verse 5 tells that their speech and behaviour must be sincere at all times – “seasoned with salt”. Verses 7-17 conclude with final greetings. Verse 18 tells us that the letter was written by Paul in his own handwriting.

n this episode of The Reformed Brotherhood, Jesse and Tony dive into the final verses of Colossians 4, reflecting on Paul's closing words and the rich theological and practical insights they offer. The discussion begins by addressing the significance of these often-overlooked sections of scripture, emphasizing their God-breathed purpose and the enduring lessons they provide for the church today. Paul's ministry partners, including Tychicus, Onesimus, and Luke, take center stage as Jesse and Tony explore how God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes in His kingdom. The conversation also highlights the theme of reconciliation, particularly through Onesimus' story, as Paul sends him back to Colossae, urging the church to embody the gospel by welcoming him with grace. This practical application of theology reminds listeners that the gospel transforms relationships and calls believers to live out Christlike love in their communities. Jesse and Tony also unpack the broader implications of Paul's instruction to share the letter with the Laodiceans, underscoring the importance of scripture's universal application across time and culture. As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the unity and encouragement found in Paul's words, reminding listeners of the value of every member of the body of Christ. They also prepare for their upcoming exploration of Philemon, which continues the story of Onesimus and offers further insight into living out faith in real-world situations. This episode is a rich blend of theology, practical wisdom, and encouragement for believers seeking to grow in their understanding of scripture and community. Key Points: The Significance of Paul's Final Words: Paul's closing remarks in Colossians 4, though seemingly mundane, reveal God's interest in the details of ministry and the importance of community within the church. God Uses Ordinary People: The episode highlights Paul's ministry partners, showing how God works through ordinary individuals like Tychicus, Onesimus, and Luke to advance His kingdom. Reconciliation in Action: The story of Onesimus demonstrates the transformative power of the gospel, as Paul encourages the Colossian church to welcome him back with grace and forgiveness. Universal Relevance of Scripture: Paul's instruction to share the letter with the Laodiceans emphasizes the broader application of scripture beyond its immediate audience, affirming its value for all believers. Practical Theology and Community: Jesse and Tony discuss the importance of living out theological truths in everyday life, particularly in fostering unity and encouragement within the church. Questions for Reflection: How does Paul's inclusion of specific names and details in his letters inspire you to see God's work in the “ordinary” aspects of ministry? What lessons can we learn from Onesimus' story about reconciliation and living out the gospel in challenging situations? How can we as believers ensure that our churches reflect the unity and diversity seen in Paul's ministry team? Why is it important to view scripture as universally applicable, and how does this perspective affect how we read and apply the Bible today? In what ways can you, like Paul's ministry partners, support and encourage others in your church or community?

Paul sent the letter to the Colossians in about 62 AD. He never personally visited the region where there were two groups of believers – one in Colossae and the other in Laodicea. The one letter was read by both at this time and about 34 years time when another letter was sent in 96 AD by the Lord Jesus Christ. The area was exceptionally fertile and lay in a very rich valley. The epistle commenced with the greeting “Grace (‘charis' the Greek greeting) and peace (‘shalom' the Jewish greeting) coming to the believers from God our Father. This is followed by thanksgiving and prayer for their faithfulness in the gospel; as reported to the Apostle from Epaphras. The believers were increasing in knowledge and love. But the greatest of all thanks was to be expressed to God, our Father, who had “qualified us to share the inheritance of the saints in light … and has transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son” (verses 12-13 ESV). Then from verses 14-23 Paul tells us of the preeminence of the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Father. Our Lord Jesus is the beginning (Gk ‘archegos') and head of God's new creation and is the firstborn (Jesus firstborn by birth, death and resurrection) of that creation; the firstborn from the dead to be raised to eternal life. Verses 24-29 tell of Paul's suffering for all Gentile believers, that he might share and participate in the sufferings of Christ (as part of his body, which we,the ecclesia are). In verse 27 we have the key verse and theme of the book, “Christ in you (ie each of us) the hope of glory”.

Today's Passage: Colossians 2: 4-7I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.Today's Prayer: Dear God, would you illumine the places in our lives where we have either been deceived or are at risk of deception from the persuasive arguments of our day and time. Speak to our heart even in this moment, Lord and shine your light on the places we are thinking wrongly…acting wrongly…believing wrongly…We so identify with the people of Colossae and we confess that it our desire to stand firm and steadfast. We want to be an immovable people when it comes to walking in truth. We confess that error will divide us, and it is our desire that truth unite us as a body.Psalm 119:32 says. “I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding” and we ask you to broaden our understanding.Father we come to you in full confidence today asking you to make us a people of stability. As your people, marked by having received Christ Jesus the Lord, we choose to walk in you. Holy Spirit, apply the finished work of Christ to our lives. Root us deeply and firmly. Build us, grow us up in Christ. We reject a life that lulls us to sleep. We reject a life that makes little of you. We reject a faith that is passive. And in its place, we choose a faith that is rooted and established. We bless Your name. We thank you, Christ Jesus, for Your finished work. We praise you because You are exalted far above all powers and principalities and You sit at the right hand of the Father where are right now intercede for us. As we move throughout this day, with all that it holds, both large and small, we do so overflowing with gratitude at the life you make possible for your people. In Christ's name we pray…Amen.NOTES & LINKS:Information about the Women's Summer StudyInformation about the Men's Summer StudyReach out to the Center for Spiritual Formation

Colossians: The People of God in the Age of Empire – Naming the Empire (Colossians 2:6-15) - Rev. Donnell T. Wyche - a2vc.org. Like us on fb.com/vineyardannarboror watch our livestream Sundays @ 10:45am - vimeo.com/annarborvineyard  Summary: In this powerful and provocative sermon, Pastor Donnell Wyche continues the Colossians: The People of God in the Age of Empire series by exploring Colossians 2:6–15 and what it means to be faithful to Christ in a world shaped by empire. Drawing from Paul's letter to a fledgling church in Colossae, Donnell frames the passage as a deeply subversive text—one that directly confronts the ideologies, powers, and allegiances of the surrounding Roman empire. For Paul, and for us today, to declare that Christ—not Caesar, not the economy, not nationalism—is Lord, is to resist the false narratives that shape our lives and identities. Pastor Donnell draws sharp connections between Paul's world and our own, exposing the subtle and not-so-subtle ways empire exerts its influence today—from militarism and economic control to curated media narratives and Christian celebrity culture. He names modern forces—TikTok, Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, Warner Bros, and even popular pastors—not to shame, but to awaken the church to how deeply these forces shape our desires, fears, and theology. “Don't be taken captive,” Paul warns, and Pastor Donnell echoes that call with urgency, reminding us that resistance starts by rooting ourselves in Christ, not in power, performance, or fear. The sermon crescendos with a bold declaration: Jesus, crucified by empire, disarmed the powers not with violence, but through the cross. Pastor Donnell invites the weary, the skeptical, and the disillusioned to see Jesus clearly—not as a tool of empire, but as the one who triumphs by love, truth, and resurrection. “Empire doesn't get the last word,” he proclaims, “Jesus does.” The call to the church is clear: Wake up. Resist. Stay rooted in Christ. And when overwhelmed by the noise of the world, pray the simple prayer of resistance: “Jesus, free me from the voices that hold me captive. Root me in you again.”  

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” —Colossians 2:8While under house arrest, the apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes a letter to the growing church in Colossae. A church that knew Jesus but needed to be reminded of the truth.It's the truth still needed today. The truth of the gospel is that salvation comes through Jesus alone, and once we receive salvation, we are called to live in a manner worthy of the One who saved us.

A Sermon for Easter Day Colossians 2:20-3:4 & St. John 20:1-10 by William Klock Sometimes there's a way that seems right, you try to follow it, and you just get yourself into trouble.  I parked at the Big Qualicum fish hatchery and went for a ride on my gravel bike on the Horne Lake-Cook Creek Forest Service Road loop.  It's a beautiful ride, but it's not the easiest.  There's a hill at one point that's so steep the logging trucks actually have to be towed to the top by one of those giant trucks with eight-foot tall wheels.  It's too steep to ride and even walking it while pushing your bike is hard, because your shoes just slip out from under you in the dry sand and gravel.  I saw that 20% grade in my mapping app and thought I'd be smart.  There's another logging road on the map that bypasses that big hill.  It would also cut the loop down from 90km to about 75km. So off I went down the mountain on that other logging road.  I should have known better.  My mapping app shows how heavily travelled various routes are.  I could see that everyone took the main road and went up the giant hill.  I could see that no one went the way I was going.  I thought I was smart and had found a secret no one knew about.  And then that shortcut suddenly ended at ravine.  There was a cliff on both sides and Nile Creek babbling away sixty feet below.  The logging company had decommissioned the road and removed the bridge.  I climbed about thirty feet down the cliff with my bike over my shoulder, sure I'd find a way.  I didn't.  And I had to climb back up and then ride back up the mountain, back to the main road with scraped knees and elbows to show for my folly.  I got to climb two big hills that day. We're always looking for the easy way, no one wants to take the hard and difficult way even if it's the right way to go.  Jesus' words were looping in my head as I rode back up that hill to the main road: The gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  I was picturing myself barreling down that road, happy I found the easy way, not paying attention, and riding right off that cliff.   This is what St. Paul's getting at in our Epistle today from Colossians when he writes, Think about the things that are above, not the things of earth.   Here's what was happening in Colossae—or, at any rate, what Paul feared would happen if the church there didn't get on the right track.  Just as in Galatia, the Christians were being tempted to fall back into a form of Judaism—to start finding their identity in things like circumcision, sabbath-keeping, and diet.  They were facing the same sort of persecution the Galatians were and it was very tempting to avoid it by backing away from their identity in Jesus and to instead identify themselves as Jews.  Jews were exempt from all the requirements of Roman religion.  But that wasn't the only thing that made Judaism tempting.  Even before Jesus came on the scene, there had been gentiles who were attracted to Judaism for its ethics and morality.  The ancient pagan world was grossly immoral and barbaric in ways that we—living in a world shaped for two thousand years by the gospel—it was filthy in ways we struggle to imagine.  And some of the pagans got sick of it.  Yes, the torah made heavy demands, but it also offered a way of life along very clearly delineated lines of holiness and purity.  That was attractive to some people.  This is what Paul is getting at, at the end of Colossians 2—which I think really needs to be part of today's Epistle if we're going to get a sense of the context.  Staring in Colossians 2:20 Paul writes: If you died with the Messiah, coming out from the rule of the worldly elements, what's the point of laying down laws as though your life was still merely worldly?  “Don't handle!  Don't taste!  Don't touch!”  Rules like that all have to do with things that disappear as you use them.  They are the sort of regulations and teaching that mere humans invent.  They may give an appearance of wisdom, since they promote a do-it-yourself religion, a kind of humility, and severe treatment of the body.  But they are of no use when it comes to dealing with the indulgence of the flesh.   Paul had in mind these gentiles who were thinking that the laws and regulations of the torah would give them a sense of wisdom and religion and humility, but it's not hard to see our own culture in his warning.  Everyone it seems is looking for some way to feel better about themselves.  Sometimes it's just a sort of generic do-gooderism.  Some people get this way with life-style and fitness routines, disciplining themselves in ways that become a sort of religion.  Some people pursue conservation and environmentalism with the fervency of religion.  Things like recycling or cutting down Scotch broom or driving an EV become almost sacramental.  These things atone—or at least begin to atone—for our sins and the sins of our ancestors.  And then there's the full-on Post-moderns who have bought into various critical theories and the whole dichotomy of oppressor and oppressed.  In that system, if you find yourself in the oppressor category—usually because you're white or male or heterosexual or—God forbid—all three—there is no atonement, there is no forgiveness.  You must simply spend the rest of your life genuflecting at the woke altar and confessing your sins and those of your ancestors.  There is no forgiveness, but at least you can feel better for constantly signaling your virtue and for being an “ally”.  You can even feel holier-than-thou and look down your nose—a Post-modern Pharisee—when you see your fellow oppressors who aren't kowtowing at the woke altar.  These are all just modern expressions of Paul's “do-it-yourself religion”.  They may make us feel better or feel like we're doing something or even that we're working to heal creation and make the world a better place, but to put it in his words, They are of no use when it comes to dealing with the indulgence of the flesh.  None of these things address our real problem.  None of these things will make us genuinely holy.  In the end, they turn out to be indulgences of the flesh themselves. They're shortcuts.  Instead, we need to take that hard and narrow way.  We need to take the road that climbs that giant hill, even though it means pushing the bike while your feet slip out from under you in the sand and gravel.  Because the hard way is the only way that will get us to the end goal.  Every other way will eventually turn into a dead end—with the emphasis on dead.  There is only one way that leads to life.  Brothers and Sisters, we have to die and be raised back to life.  That's the only way to get out of this worldly sphere and to escape the “worldly elements”—the powers and gods of the present evil age, the powers and gods that keep us perpetuating our sins and our rebellion against God.  Because no matter what we do, no matter how many good works we think we've done, as long as we're enslaved to those false gods and systems, we're just feeding, we're just perpetuating the fallenness of the world and this present evil age. Something has to change.  We have to leave behind the present age—it's days are numbered anyway and as Christians we should know that—and we need to take our place in the age to come, in God's new creation.  We all know that the world is not as it should be.  God didn't create us for pain and tears and it's good that we instinctively want to fix that.  But we can't.  Not on our own.  Our sin and rebellion have broken God's creation and there's no fixing it with the broken tools it offers.  To get back to where we should be—to get back to that place of fellowship with God, of living in his presence, of being the stewards of his world—means leaving behind the old and joining in the new. This is what drew people to Jesus during his ministry.  He was preaching good news, yes, but he was also wiping away the tears and giving people a taste of new creation.  He healed the blind and the deaf and the lame.  He cast out demons.  He even overturned death on a few occasions.  In Jesus, God's new world, Gods' new age was breaking in.  And then there's that first Easter morning that we read about in John's Gospel. We see Mary standing at the tomb and weeping.  Sin and death, all the powers of this evil age had risen up at once and killed Jesus.  If there was a time for tears, that was it.  The most evil of evil things evil has ever done.  Mary represents us all as we cry in the midst of this broken and fallen world full of evil.  She was so overcome with the sadness of it all that she doesn't seem to have been moved even by the presence of the two angels.  “Why are you crying?” they asked.  And she just kept sobbing.  “They've taken away my lord and I don't know where they've put him!”  And then Jesus walks up and asks her again, “Why are you crying?”  And she turns around and asks him, “Sir, if you've carried him off somewhere, tell me where you've put him.”  John says she thought he was the gardener.  We pass over that little detail without much thought.  At least I did for years and years.  But then I started noticing how so many artists in history depict Jesus that Easter morning with a shovel or a hoe in his hands.  There's something to that bit of detail.  John mentions it for a reason.  Mary mistook him for the gardener because he must have been doing gardener things.  So there was Mary crying at the tomb and talking to angels, while Jesus knelt nearby pulling up weeds or tending to a fallen plant.  The second Adam was alive.  God had raised him from the dead and rolled away the great, heavy stone from the tomb.  That was the greatest event on the greatest day in the history of the world.  When Jesus burst forth from the tomb, I like to say that he sent a shockwave of life through a dead world.  Nothing would ever be the same.  And yet what does he do?  He walks out of the tomb and starts tending to the garden.  My first thought is something like, “Doesn't he have bigger and better things to do?”  But it shouldn't really be surprising.  This is the same Jesus, God incarnate, who humbly took on our flesh and who humbly went to the cross for the sake of his enemies.  Why shouldn't he act the part of a humble gardener first thing after his resurrection?  But, too, it shouldn't be surprising, because this is what he came to do: to set his creation, broken by our sin and rebellion, he came to set it to rights.  Why not start with those weeds just outside the tomb and then that rosebush starting to fall over.  Mary keeps weeping uncontrollably.  And then he says her name and suddenly she knew, suddenly she recognised him.  “Rabbi!”she said.  And the tears stopped—or maybe they turned into tears of joy.  John doesn't say.  But the weeds, the rosebush, Mary's tears—Jesus didn't just burst out of the tomb to be some highfalutin and abstract doctrine of resurrection to be studied and discussed by theologians in ivory towers.  No, he came out of the tomb, resurrected indeed, but immediately working out that resurrection for his beloved creation and for his beloved people.  First the garden and then Mary, and pretty soon everyone. One by one Jesus has come to each of us as we've been confronted with the good news of the gospel.  He's spoken our names.  He's wiped away our tears.  We've believed.  We've been baptised.  And coming out of those baptismal waters, we've been filled with God's own Spirit and made new.  We still wait for the day when we will be resurrected as Jesus was, but the Spirit is a down-payment, an earnest on that day.  In our baptism we have died and been raised up with Jesus to a new life.  Like Israel delivered from Egypt at the Red Sea, we've been delivered from our slavery to sin and death as we've passed through the waters of baptism and now Jesus sends us out.  Now we're the gardeners, sent out into the world to proclaim and to live the good news.  To tend to the weeds and the falling rosebushes and the tears.  To do the things we knew all along needed to be done, the things maybe we tried to do, but that we could never really accomplish on our own or with the world's broken tools.  But now they get done, because the power of the Lord goes with us in the gospel and the Spirit. We are—again—like Israel.  Consider.  Israel passed through the Red Sea and then the Lord sent her to conquer Canaan.  And yet it wasn't Israel who won the victory, but the Lord.  Yes, Israel had to march and Israel had to fight, but it was always the Lord who won the battle.  And just so with us.  Jesus has brought us through the waters of baptism and now he sends us out into the world to reclaim what rightly belongs to him.  And it won't happen if we don't go, but at the same time, it is not we, but he who wins the victory.  The kingdom of God fills the earth because of the power of the gospel and the Spirit.  But, again, Paul's warning to the Colossians: We are so prone to forgetting all of this and we fall back into do-it-yourself religion.  And so he says in verse 1 of Chapter 3: So if you were raised to life with the Messiah, search for the things that are above, where the Messiah is seated at God's right hand.  Think about the things that are above, not the things of earth.  Don't you see: you died, and your life has been hidden with the Messiah, in God!  When the Messiah is revealed (and he is your life, remember), then you too will be revealed with him in glory.   Here's the good news.  Throw away all the do-it-yourself religion.  Get off those dead-end trails and get back on the main road.  Because if you belong to the Messiah, you're also already part of his new creation.  This is one of the greatest themes all through Paul's epistles.  Paul wants us to understand that what is true of Jesus is already true of us because we are “in him”—or as he puts it “en Christos”, “in the Messiah”.  It may not always feel like it, but this is one of the fundamental things about the life of faith that Paul wanted these new believers to understand.  It's often hard, but we need to learn to believe that this is true even if it doesn't always feel that way.  Because it's in those time when we're not feeling it—feeling like our prayers are bouncing off the ceiling, feeling like we're far from God, feeling like there's no escape from sin, feeling like the world will never change—it's in those times that we're most prone to falling back into do-it-yourself religion. And there are two true things that Paul wants us to understand above everything else.  If we can remember these two things, everything else is going to fall into place.  Jesus has died and he's been raised from death.  And that means that if we are “in the Messiah”, then we have died with him.  You have died with him.  You are no longer a part of the old evil age.  You are no longer a slave to sin and death.  You don't need any do-it-yourself religion to get close to God or to make the world a better place.  You just need Jesus.  You have been raised with Messiah.  Even though we wait for the resurrection of the dead at the end of time, through the indwelling of God's Spirit, we have in part—here and now—the life of the age to come.  Jesus has made us part of his new creation. Our hope—and the hope of the world—lies with him as he sits at God's right hand.  In his incarnation, in his ministry, in his death, and in his resurrection, Jesus began the process of uniting heaven and earth, of bringing God and man back together.  One day that task will be finished, heaven and earth will be rejoined and we will be resurrected and—as Adam and Eve once did—we'll live in the full presence of God.  But in the meantime, we—his church—have been given the task of proclaiming the good news about Jesus and by our life together, giving a dark world a taste of God's light, of his new creation—of giving the world a taste of heaven. Brothers and Sisters, that's how the kingdom spread.  That's how Christendom came to be.  As Jesus' people set their minds on God's new creation and, as the church, lived it out in the midst of the darkness.  And just as the God of Isreal who gave his son for their sake was unlike any god they'd ever known as pagans.  This church, this community of people who identified with the Messiah and who gave their lives humbly for the sake of the world, who lived as one people regardless of whether they were rich or poor, slave or free, Jew or gentile, this people who taught the world what love and mercy and grace and justice are, this people showed the world the holiness it had been looking for, it showed the people how this broken world really can be set to rights—when we set aside our do-it-yourself ways and let the Messiah wash us clean and let his Spirit make us new. Brothers and Sisters, keep your eyes fixed on the things that are above.  Keep praying with Jesus: Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done, one earth as it is heaven.  One day heaven and earth will be fully rejoined, but only because the church, in the power of the Spirit, has proclaimed the gospel to the whole world.  In his book Surprised by Hope, Tom Wright wrote this, “People who believe in the resurrection, in God making a whole new world in which everything will be set right at last, are unstoppably motivated to work for that new world in the present.”  May that be true of us.  While we wait for God's new world to come in all its fullness, let us never tire of being that new world here and now: as we, empowered by the Spirit, proclaim the good news that Jesus has died, that Jesus has risen, and that Jesus is Lord, as we pull the weeds, and as we wipe away the tears. Let's pray: Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant us by your grace to set our minds on things above; that by your continual help our lives may be transformed; through the same, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

Occult spiritual practices are nothing new. False teachers attempted to sway the church at Colossae into believing that if a person didn't have these kinds of spiritual experiences then that person didn't truly know God. Paul makes quick work of this false teaching by showing the Colossians that the only spirituality that matters is the one that is connected to Jesus. 

While the Apostle Paul was under arrest in Rome, he was visited by a church planter from Colossae named Epaphras. Epaphras had great news about the move of the Holy Spirit in Colossae but had some concerns about false teaching making its way into the church there. This visit inspired Paul to write a letter to the church in Colossae to remind them that Jesus really is above all. As Paul concludes his letter, he focuses on how we are to use our words - and how they are to line up with our conduct.

False teachers were telling the Christians at Colossae they had to obey commands in the Old Testament Law in order to be saved. Paul tells the Colossians they have no obligation to uphold the Old Testament Law now that they are in Christ. Why did Paul say that? Because the Law was the shadow that pointed ahead to Jesus.