Podcasts about god colossians

December 30, 2025 - Wednesday PM Bible Class In this episode of the Deuteronomy class, the instructor leads a topical study on idolatry as presented throughout Deuteronomy. Using key passages (including Deut. 4, 7, 9, 29, and the Song of Moses in 32), the class explores the Bible's repeated commands against idols and carved images, the story of the golden calf, and the specific injunctions to destroy pagan altars and statuary. The lecture includes close readings of Deut. 29:17 and 32:21 (God's jealousy over foolish idols), Deut. 4:15–16 (the prohibition on making any form to represent God), and Deut. 7:5, 25 and 9:12 (commands and historical reminders of Israel's failure). The session surveys why idolatry mattered historically and why God fiercely opposed it: pagan gods were false and devotion to them was wasted; pagan worship practices (documented by other ancient writers like Herodotus) could be destructive — including child sacrifice, ritual sex, and self-harm; and images diminish and misrepresent the incomparable Creator. The golden calf episode is used as a prime example of how quickly a people can turn to crafted representations and how images box God into a limited, misleading form. Class discussion connects these Old Testament teachings to the New Covenant: Jesus is presented as the true image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15), and incidents like Jesus cleansing the temple are read as condemnations of anything that robs God of exclusive worship. Andy also draws practical, contemporary parallels — warning that modern “idols” can be careers, money, comfort, entertainment, or even devotion to a hobby or brand — and challenges listeners to examine what competes for God's place in their lives. Format and contributors: this is a recorded classroom lecture with interactive Q&A between the instructor and students. Key takeaways include God's demand for exclusive devotion, the theological reasons images are forbidden, historical evidence of pagan practices, and concrete prompts for personal reflection and repentance in light of both Old and New Testament teaching. Duration 42:30

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.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him" or "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.

This sermon is a part of our Triumphs & Trials of the King series. If you live in the Raleigh area, we would like to invite you to join us in person on Sunday mornings at 9:15am or 11:00am. We look forward to worshiping together!

1. “The minister wants to baptise our baby!”2. God's salvation plan consists of a series of covenants— A biblical covenant is a solemn agreement between two parties with blessings and curses attached (Deuteronomy 29; Genesis 9:8-11; Genesis 17:3-11)— There is one covenant of grace administered differently across time (Genesis 15:6; Galatians 3:6-18; Jeremiah 31:31-32)— God has provided covenant signs to symbolise and guarantee his promises—- Noahic = Rainbow; Abrahamic = Circumcision; Mosaic (Old) = Circumcision and Passover and more; New = Baptism and the Lord's Supper2. Baptism replaced circumcision as a sign of belonging to the people of God – Colossians 2:11-12; Romans 4:9-12- Both point to the same reality- Both are a rite of initiation- Baptism entails an expansion of who receives the sign- There is no command to stop giving the covenantal sign to children- Not everyone who receives covenant signs is saved (Romans 2:28-29; 4:9-11; 9:6-8; Hebrews 6:4-6)- The children of Christians are viewed as insiders not outsiders (1 Corinthians 7:12-14)4. How do we respond?Parents: Let's do a baptism or thanksgiving spot for your childEveryone: Let's welcome the children of believers as young disciplesRESOURCESWhy Do We Baptize Infants? – a booklet (32 pages) by Bryan Chapell- A brief summary of the key arguments.How Our Children Come to Faith – a booklet (28 pages) by Stephen Smallman- A brief and thought-provoking book that will encourage parents in their efforts to disciple their children. He speaks of conversion as the point when a regenerate person personally takes hold of Christ by faith.Covenantal Baptism – book by Jason Helopolous.- Great explanation of covenants and baptism and God's kindness! Helpful on baptism in general but also for those wondering about baptising the children of believers.What is Coventantal Baptism – article by Gabriel D- A brief article on an apologetics website which gives a good overview of covenantal baptism.https://trinityapologetics.com/covenantal-baptism/ Why You Should Remember Your Baptism – article by Christopher David- A great article from Gospel Coalition, India on how baptism is an ongoing means of gracehttps://in.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/road-goes-ever-on/why-you-should-remember-your-baptism/Getting Baptised at DPC – paper by Adam Humphries- A summary of DPC's position and how to work towards baptism.https://darebinpc.elvanto.com.au/file/87d97797-3114-4671-95bd-7fadd0808ada/Bringing You Child to God at DPC - paper by Adam Humphries- An overview of options for your child: baptism or a thanksgiving spothttps://darebinpc.elvanto.com.au/file/ff359bec-492a-42c6-ba96-2ca860773369/

We have much to be thankful for. Satan doesn't want you thankful. He wants you worried. Discouraged. Offended. Complaining of how things could be better. But God says we can find something to give thanks in everything. In this final section of the Book of Colossians, we learn... Things I'm thankful for in my first year at Calvary Church What Paul's greetings tell us about church life in the first century Two friends that were a big help to the Apostle Paul Why ethnic diversity is a good thing in a local church How a church becomes a "band of brothers"  Thanks for listening. You can find more sermons on my sermon hub page. 

For centuries Israel offered sacrifices to God for sin. Over and over, a substitute shed its blood to earn forgiveness. Then Jesus appeared, the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. He died as the substitute for sinful mankind. Connected to him by faith, you have new perspective and new motivation for living a Christian life.Support the showMessages from the King is produced by King of Kings Lutheran Church in Maitland, FL.To find out more about King of Kings... Please visit VisitKoK.com Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/visitkok) Email us @ info@visitkok.com Remember your Savior Jesus loves you! May he bless you with his grace!

Life is all about learning! We are to never stop learning as followers of Jesus Christ. Christianity is not a destination, it's a journey. It is growing in our knowledge of God. In this sermon Pastor Kim helps us to understand all the various ways in which we can increase in our knowledge of God. Remember, Christianity is a relationship - it is getting to know the God who created you. A worthy walk is indeed increasing in our knowledge of God.

Send us a text“For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).Freshly written and sent out immediately "morning by morning" from the morning prayer time of Tommy Hays each day.God bless you and you have a great day!—Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministrieshttp://messiah-ministries.org

In this sermon "Who I am in light of who God is," Pastor Patrick Austin explored Genesis 1:26-31 to address the fundamental question of human identity in a world full of lies and confusion. He began by establishing that since the Bible starts with "In the beginning, God" rather than "In the beginning, man," we must understand ourselves in comparison to God, not as the standard ourselves. Pastor Austin presented four Biblical truths that counter prominent worldly lies about identity. First, we are created by God in His image, meaning we're designed to live godly lives and in relationship—not that we are God ourselves. Second, we are blessed with God-given purpose to fill the earth with worshipers and subdue creation through faithful stewardship—not to determine our own purpose. Third, we are sustained by God as dependent creatures who need our heavenly Father's provision—not self-sufficient beings. Fourth, we are loved by God, with Him declaring His creation "very good"—not unlovable as many believe. The pastor emphasized that Jesus Christ, as "the image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15), is the key to understanding our true identity. Only through Christ can we truly know what it means to be made in God's image and have our broken identity restored. Pastor Austin challenged both believers and non-believers to reject the enemy's lies and embrace the Biblical truth of who God created them to be.   WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Take a moment to fill out our digital connection card here: https://www.bayleaf.org/connect We hope you enjoy this programming and please let us know if there is anything we can do to be of service to you. ONE CHURCH. TWO LOCATIONS. ONE MISSION. Bay Leaf at Falls Lake: 12200 Bayleaf Church Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27614 Bay Leaf at 540: 10921 Leesville Rd, Raleigh, NC 27613 SERVICE TIMES Come join us on Sundays at Bay Leaf at Falls Lake (8:30 AM or 11:00 AM) or at Bay Leaf at 540 (10:00 AM) CONTACT www.bayleaf.org (919) 847-4477 #BayLeafLife #Worship #Inspiration

We Always Thank God Colossians 1:1-8 All rights not specified here are reserved to and for the benefit of the copyright owner. Used by Permission. CCLI License CSPL163010

  I CANNOT DO ALL THINGS Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through (en – in) Christ who strengthens me.  That is a wonderful Scripture but what does ‘all things' mean and what does ‘through' mean? To get the full meaning of all this I need to mention something a little irregular in the English interpretation of that text. The correct English word for ‘through' in that Scripture is ‘in'. The Bible uses the English word ‘through' 119 times in Paul's epistles, and the Greek word for through is always dia except in that one text here where the word en is used, and en means in, not through, so my reading of this would  be ‘I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me. This brings home the point that Christ is the one doing the ‘all things' that he wants to happen and I'm being strengthened in doing it with him. Am I being too pedantic, isn't me doing it through Christ okay? think it through, because with Paul this is all about being IN Christ – IN Christ is relational, being part of God's life, but doing things through Christ puts us in charge and not God, like us doing something through a lawyer - it is utilitarian and non-relational. You've seen sportsmen on TV signalling to Heaven that they are going to win this match through God – that seems a little presumptuous. But saying ‘I can do all things IN Christ' puts God in charge, as he does the things with and through us as the earthen vessel, that the excellency of the power is of God and not of us and it's a proclamation of yielded faith by us. What I'm saying is never going to change the way this verse is written or even said, probably even by me. But if I'm going to do something by faith I want to understand what I am really proclaiming and why. Paul says in Galatians - it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live in the Son of God by faith, (Galatians 2:20). Being in Christ was Paul's revelation, his message – Christ in you the hope of glory – his glory. (Colossians 1:27) – Christ in us and us in him. Paul said that he wanted to be found in him (Philippians 3:9) I mentioned in my last talk that Moses was hidden in the cleft of a rock and only saw the glory of God after it had passed by because God had said you cannot see My face and live. (Exodus 33:17).  Paul says that rock was Christ. He said the rock that followed Israel through their journey in the wilderness was Christ (1Corinthians 10:4). Moses being hidden in the cleft of rock is us being hidden in Christ. The Bible says your life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). God was prophesying to us that ‘In Christ you will see the work I have done and you will know that it was me that has done it from heaven and not just you on earth, and somehow, we have done it together!!  Previously I also shared the story of God being with Paul in that shipwreck at Malta. No one was lost as Paul had prophesied to them ‘An angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me…not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed (Acts 27:23). The people of Malta then lit a fire for them because it was cold and raining, and as Paul gathered firewood, a viper bit his hand and the islanders expected him to die, assuming some kind of divine justice, but Paul simply shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. They then think he is a god. Then Publius the magistrate of Malta hosts them generously and Paul heals his father who has a raging fever and the rest of the sick on the island came and were healed.  Malta wasn't Paul's idea. God went to Malta and Paul was IN Christ seeing God at work through himself as the clay vessel. The Holy Spirit and Paul did it together! Even Jesus said Truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father do. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise”.  I have two more questions today. The first question is - What does it mean to be ‘in Christ'?' The second question is how I can ‘do all things through (in) Christ who strengthens me' There is a clue to understanding what being IN Christ means in what Paul said in that shipwreck incident at Malta. He says ‘An angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me.” (Acts 27:2). Paul knew he belonged to God IN Christ. The way we know that that we are IN something is by knowing that we belong, like being in a family or a friendship or a group or a church community. We are accepted and we can be ourselves there and share the care there, as a part of it. The Bible says that Jesus died for all of mankind because we all belong to him. Paul said We are held in (synech??) by Christ's love for us. We are certain that if one died for all, then all of us have died. (2 Corinthians 5:14).   That means that because of what Jesus has done we all belong right from the start even if we do not know it or believe it - we are accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6.), forgiven in Christ and belonging to him. He didn't ask for our permission he just did it. and we challenge people to believe it – that's the Gospel. Paul spoke of this as an eternal reality in God's destiny for humanity when he spoke to the Athenians about their unknown God in Acts 17:26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times (Kairos) and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might search for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being… When a person knows that they belong their hearts can open up to hearing and understanding and believing and finding new hope for their lives. So then belonging and believing lead to uprightness in behaving - belong believe behave – instead of ‘if you behave and truly believe what we believe we will tell you if you belong'.  The second question was how can I ‘do all things through (in) Christ who strengthens me' This requires that I ask myself three things when considering what lays ahead for me – a) what do I expect will happen? – then when something happens comes b) what actually happened? – then comes c) where was I surprised?  I find that concerning point a) I overate my self expectations, and b) what actually happens confirms point a, then c) I am surprised at how much more God does than I could ever have expected. It is God that takes us into things IN Christ, not us that takes Christ into all that we plan. There are shipwrecks and Malta experiences. We do our upmost and we see God do his highest. I will illustrate with a story. I went to a pastors conference in the late 90's with my old friend the late Hal Oxley. We had visited Toronto Canada and then visited the revival meetings in Pensacola and finally attended a pastors' conference in Houston Texas in the Lakewood church now run by Joel Osteen but then run by Joel's father John Osteen who was a very gifted and anointed man, with a healing and evangelical ministry and much wisdom and integrity. Hal had been a friend of John Osteen for some years. There were over two thousand pastors and leaders there and Hal received a warm welcome. He was also a storehouse of wisdom and experience and had conducted similar leadership events in Melbourne with a Q and A session at the end. Hal was the pioneer of the Christian School movement on the East Coast of Australia, and I visited his school before starting Northern Beaches Christian School – here in this actual building in 1981.  At the end of John Osteens conference there was also a question-and-answer session which Osteen conducted single handedly, and Hal was riveted by the complex questions of the pastors, and I knew he would have answered their questions excellently. The questions dealt with problems of administration and church programs including youth groups and home groups and financial management questions and some weird legalistic ones about tithing and church discipline. John Osteen would quietly listen and pause and speak his wisdom and Hal and I were impressed. But we began to notice that time after time especially with the tougher complex questions John Osteen would give the same answer, over and over again. He would say ‘Do the best you can and trust the holy Ghost' (he didn't say Holy Spirit). All the while Hal was writing comments on his ever-present note cards and showing them to me – comments like Vision statement needed here, or delegated authority essential etc. And I would nod, thinking this is going to be quite some conversation later.  Then right at the end one pastor said he wanted to start a Christian school, and his question was ‘what is the first thing I should do if I wanted to start a Christian school in Alabama?' I looked at Hal and he leaned over to me and said ‘I'd love to answer this one, and I thought just what a blessing that would be. I said to him ‘what would you say?' and Hal looked at me and said with a grin ‘do the best you can and trust the Holy Ghost'. I got the giggles, and we both had to hold ourselves in check and not explode laughing. But that answer was strikingly enough the simple truth of faith for all those difficult challenges. Think of some major decisions you've made lately doing the best you could – and the ones coming up. We belong to someone who belongs to us and who gets things done perfectly with us in the midst of our imperfection. God says to us – ‘In Christ you will see what I have done, and you will know that it was me and not just you, but somehow we did it together!!' So do the best you can and trust the Holy Ghost and watch as God brings his will to pass in your life. He will do the things, and we will give him the glory.  When you are in thr midst of something, doing it the best you can and you have an outcome in mind, and something goes wrong and the challenge seems too great. I've found that the thig to do is to capture that moment and realise that that moment of challenge, of difficulty of self-consciousness – that moment belongs to God. He hasn't dumped you in it and said ‘you sort this out', no he's in that and when you sort that out, however well or not you sort it out, God is there sorting it out for you in the world of the unseen, wanting you to know that and be conscious of that and believe that. You may not see an instant miracle happen but as you believe that God is at work it gets you out of your self consciousness and the moment belongs to God even though you may feel that this is still a real challenge for you. It is only afterwards that you realise that you don't have to be the master of that occasion. You've been brought into it and God is in it and your faith is there. Then afterward God will say, ‘see, we did that together' – we say who me? And od says ‘well done good and faithful servant' – amen Paul OSullivan – pauloss@icloud.com

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1-3).What does … Continue reading Who are we most closely tethered to?

A sermon in our series, Grow, Together.The Village Church is a community formed by the gospel and sent on God's mission to make, mature, and multiply disciples of Jesus. We gather in the heart of downtown Hamilton, Ohio, with the hope that God might be made known in every part of His city through every part of our lives.For more information about The Village, visit us online at myvillagechurch.com.

Speaker: John Herrick Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PassageBaptistChurch Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passagebaptistchurch Check out our Website: https://passagebaptistchurch.ie #pbccork #passagebaptistchurch #sermons #sundayservice #ireland #cork #passagewest #christian #God #Romans8

Title: The Image of the Invisible GodPreacher: Jim HamiltonPassage: Colossians 1:15–20

In the Gospel of John, Jesusused the word “Father” 126 times when He spoke of His relationship withGod. The last of the seven spiritual realities that Paul speaks of, that is theground of our unity, is “one God and Father of all who isabove all and through all and in you all” (v. 6). Nowinteresting Paul basically said the same thing to the church at  Corinth in 1 Corinthians 8:5-6: “... yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are allthings, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things,and through whom we live”. Paul often used this word Father when he referredto God. (Over 46 times in his epistles). Many times, Paul said, “God theFather”. He also said, “God and Father”. Then Paul would often say “Godour Father”.  “Godour Father”.That the God of the universe, the God who created all things. In a sense, theFather of everything that is in this world came and emanated from our CreatorGod. Yet, that truth doesn't make every one of us today one of His children.Because, as you know, we're told in Ephesians 2, that we are born “childrenof wrath, children of disobedience”. That means we are under the control ofour old nature, of Satan himself in a sense. We are alienated in our minds ourby our wicked works against a holy God (Colossians 1:21).  ButGod loves us so much (John 3:16). He wants us to be in His family. That's whyJohn 1:12 says, "But as many as receive Him, to them He gives thepower, the authority to become the children of God." Then in the bookof 1 John 3:1-2, John again reminds us of this awesome relationship we can havewith God with these words: “Behold what manner of love the Father hasbestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! … Beloved, now we arechildren of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we knowthat when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is”.Wow! What love and what a great promise!!!! This is the truth of thespiritual reality that anyone, anywhere, can experience when they believe andtrust the Lord Jesus Christ to be their personal Lord and Savior! Paulin Romans 8:14-17, puts it this way: “For as many as are led by the Spiritof God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondageagain to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out,"Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit thatwe are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and jointheirs with Christ…”  Inour despair and pain we can “cry Abba Father, dear Father, daddy Father”. Weare close to Him. He is a Father who cares for us, who loves us, who draws usnear to His bosom, who holds us close. “He is Father of mercies and the God ofall comfort," (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).Oh, what an awesome Father God that you and I have who cares for us so deeplythat He would send His Son, His only Son. He's the Father of our Lord JesusChrist in the trinity. He is Father of us as we trust Him to be our Lord andSavior. Oh my friend, you can call Him, “my Father”. The Lord's prayerteaches us to pray “Our Father who art in heaven”. Why? Because againit's speaking of the unity of believers.  So,in these seven spiritual realities that Paul points out, we have the purity ofour doctrine. Oh my friend, that's who weneed to worship. The true, the living God, the God who sent His Son, JesusChrist. Be encouraged today if you're a believer. Despite what else ishappening around you, what's going on that might be bad or tragic in your life,God can be your Father today. He loves you. He cares for you. He yearns for youto come to Him with all your needs, with all your hurts, with all your pain.He's ready to heal them through His Holy Spirit and through the blood of JesusChrist He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Would you come to Himtoday? He's waiting for you just as the father waited for the prodigal sonthere in Luke 15.

Southwest Harbor Congregational Church

Writing to the Colossians, Paul shares a picture with them. It's a picture of God and what he has done.

If then you were raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God - Colossians 3:1

Gratitude redirects our attention from focusing on ourselves to thanking God. We are going to focus on thanking God for the next 4 weeks and see how God changes our hearts and minds in the process. Today Pastor Nick will challenge us to start a Gratitude Journal. Are you ready for a challenge that will change the way we think? Are you ready to practice gratitude that will change your family? We thank God for His good gifts and God transforms our hearts and minds.Recorded live at Word of Life Church in Le Sueur, Minnesota, on Sunday, November 2, 2025, Pastor Nick Olson preaching.

Pastor Dan taught that Jesus Christ is the visible image of the invisible God, revealing God's glory through His incarnation, creation, and sustaining power. Christ's supremacy extends over all creation and the Church because the fullness of God dwells in Him, and through His blood He has reconciled all things to Himself. The believer's response is to worship, trust, and glorify Him daily as the visible display of God's majesty.#TheGloryOfGod #ChristSupreme #Colossians11520 #JesusIsLord #DrDanKitinoja #Calvarytilton #GodsCharacterInAction

Message Take Aways:1. Paul gave thanks for his fellowship with the Philippians while also praying for them to increase in love, knowledge, discernment, and good works reminding us to appreciate our fellow brethren while striving to grow together in the Lord—“walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” Colossians 1:102. Paul recognized that the preaching of the Gospel had advanced despite his imprisonment as fellow believers became bolder by his example demonstrating that the Lord is able to redeem even the hardest of seasons for His glory—“I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained” 2 Timothy 2:93. Paul encouraged the Philippians to persevere the threats of persecution and trials of this world by remembering the promise of their salvation in Jesus Christ—“If we endure, we shall also reign with Him.” 2 Timothy 2:12

Delivered 9.28.25

Hear Stephen Wood preach from Colossians 1:9-14. Stephen gave this sermon at Liberti River Wards on September 21, 2025.

With a Labor Day theme, here is a message from Pastor Brock that was preached on September 7, 2025.

Because of Jesus, because of his life, death, and resurrection, we are forgiven, we are made holy, we are chosen.  Because of his supremacy and sufficiency we have the Holy Spirit in us which produces compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love in us.  And THAT is why we are thankful.Support the showThanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or Instagram more info colonialkc.org

We have talked about God's graceand how important it is that we experience God's grace before we can experienceHis peace—peace with God. The Bible definitely teaches that we'reat enmity with God before our salvation. We're enemies of God. We're alienatedin our minds by wicked works away from God (Colossians 1:21), and we needreconciliation.  Justnow the world is looking for peace in the Ukraine in the Middle East. But there will be no peace without the Man of peace.That's Jesus Christ. And I can tell you one day He will bring peace to thisworld. Jesus said to His disciples, "Let not your heart be troubled.You believe in God, believe also in Me" (John 14:1).   Ourhearts are yearning for peace. Your heart yearns for peace. There's somethingmissing inside because you literally are not at one with the Father in heavenwho created you, your Creator God. You've been alienated from Him by sin thatyou were born with in your heart. And there's only one way to make peace, andthat's through the blood of His cross. That's why Romans 5:1 says, "Therefore,being justified by faith," remember we talked about grace and faith.  Paulwrote to the “faithful in Christ” at Ephesus, those who have a savingfaith. And when you have a saving faith in the blood of Christ on the cross ofCalvary, you can then enjoy His peace. You're at peace with God only throughthe sacrifice and the blood of His Son Jesus Christ. Paul wrote, “Therefore,being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our LordJesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).  Peacewith Godis what we need and what we are longing for. No more war, no more enmity, nomore separation. We're reconciled to God. And it says He reconciles all thingsto Himself in Colossians 1:20, “And having reconciled all things to Himself,having made peace by the blood of His cross”. It's only through the bloodof His cross that you can experience by faith this wonderful peace with God.Have you ever come to the cross? Have you ever come to Christ through Hisblood?  InEphesians 2:13-17 Paul wrote, "But now in Christ Jesus, you who oncewere far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himselfis our peace, who has made both one and broken down the middle wall ofseparation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is the law ofcommandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new manfrom the two, thus making peace, that He might reconcile them both toGod in one body through the cross, therefore putting to death the enmity. AndHe came and preached peace to you who were far off, those who are nownear”. Myfriend, Paul was saying that the Jews were near, (they had the law of Moses),but the Gentiles, we were far off, but we are all separated from Christ. But inChrist, we are brought together, and we have peace. Oh, today this is peacewith God. But then there is also the peace of God that passes allunderstanding. Read Philippians 4:4-9. Those first verses there that talk aboutbeing at peace with God because we yield everything in our lives to Him. Wesurrender our will. We surrender our possessions. We surrender everything toHim. And we can then enjoy the peace of God that passes allunderstanding. And then think on these things that are pure and holy and lovelyand kind and good and gracious.  Youcan live a life of peace. That's why John 14:27 means so much to me when Jesussaid, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you, (The verypeace He had with His Father), not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Letnot your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Troubledhearts, fearful hearts can come to reconciliation with God through Christ inHis blood on the cross and find that peace that passes all understanding andthat peace that takes away the enmity with God.  Godbless you today as you experience and enjoy grace and peace throughfaith in Christ Jesus.

In the second half of our study of John chapter 2, we explore the Jewish expectation of a rebuilt Temple—one that would surpass even the glory of Solomon's Temple. Throughout the Second Temple period, Jewish writings imagined different scenarios: Some believed God Himself would rebuild it. Others expected the Messiah to oversee its construction. We'll walk through these ancient texts and discover how they shaped the hopes of Jesus' generation. Then, we'll unpack the shocking claim Jesus made: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” In mystical Jewish thought, the “Original Adam” or “Heavenly Man” was seen as the cosmic body—the universe itself functioning as the Temple of God. The Apostle Paul draws from this imagery when he says we are members of one body and calls Jesus the “image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15). If the universe is God's Temple, and Jesus is its cornerstone, then His statement is far more than a metaphor—it's a revelation of how heaven and earth meet in Him. Join us as we explore: - Jewish visions of the future Temple - The connection between the Temple and the Body of Christ - How Jesus fulfills—and redefines—centuries of expectation ----------------------------------------------------- www.figtreeteaching.com Join the Fig Tree Coffee Club: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/store/p3/Fig_Tree_Coffee_Club.html Support Fig Tree Ministries: https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries Fig Tree Amazon Portal: https://amzn.to/3USMelI YouTube: https://youtu.be/hwIr6LZSJvk Lesson Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/destroy-this-temple-and-i-will-raise-it-up Soreg Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/the-dividing-wall-of-hostility Article - "Destroy This Temple" - The Messianic Promise of Rebuilding https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_article_background_to_john_2_18_19.pdf Jewish Annotated Apocrypha: https://amzn.to/45xBz3R Old Testament Pseudepigrapha: https://amzn.to/40YrnzW After: A Doctor Explores Near-Death Experiences: https://amzn.to/4m8HEe1

You were created by God and for God (Colossians 1:16).  If you're not living to bring Him delight and glory, you're missing your main purpose in life

In Colossians 1:19-23 we discover that Christ's death made a way for all to come to God by removing the sin barrier that blocked our relationship with the Creator.

Nick Pastore pm - Narwee Baptist Church

What does it really mean to live well? Colossians shows us that when Jesus is first, everything else falls into place. In this series, we'll discover how to truly thrive—by seeing Jesus for who He is, building a life on a solid foundation, and aligning our priorities with His ways.

Welcome to our Sunday Evening Service Podcast! The teaching this week was on the mystery of Holy Spirit indwelling the believer. Scripture reference is Colossians 3:1-3.

Colossians 3:23-24 2 Corinthians 9:7 To have a committed mindset for God's work: . Choose God first and avoid getting distracted by worldly things (Matthew 6:24). . Stay focused on pleasing Him, like a soldier obeying orders (2 Timothy 2:4). . Give yourself to God fully because you belong to Him (Matthew 22:20). . Do your best in everything as if you're working for God (Colossians 3:23-24). . Be joyful and willing when you give your time, energy, or resources (2 Corinthians 9:7). In short, focus on God, serve Him with all your heart, and do everything with joy! every commitment made towards the agenda of God bares an opportunity cost.

Colossians 3:23-24 2 Corinthians 9:7 To have a committed mindset for God's work: . Choose God first and avoid getting distracted by worldly things (Matthew 6:24). . Stay focused on pleasing Him, like a soldier obeying orders (2 Timothy 2:4). . Give yourself to God fully because you belong to Him (Matthew 22:20). . Do your best in everything as if you're working for God (Colossians 3:23-24). . Be joyful and willing when you give your time, energy, or resources (2 Corinthians 9:7). In short, focus on God, serve Him with all your heart, and do everything with joy! every commitment made towards the agenda of God bares an opportunity cost.

Colossians 3:23-24 2 Corinthians 9:7 To have a committed mindset for God's work: . Choose God first and avoid getting distracted by worldly things (Matthew 6:24). . Stay focused on pleasing Him, like a soldier obeying orders (2 Timothy 2:4). . Give yourself to God fully because you belong to Him (Matthew 22:20). . Do your best in everything as if you're working for God (Colossians 3:23-24). . Be joyful and willing when you give your time, energy, or resources (2 Corinthians 9:7). In short, focus on God, serve Him with all your heart, and do everything with joy! every commitment made towards the agenda of God bares an opportunity cost.

March 23rd, 2025 | Jesus Is...God | Colossians 1:15-20In this episode, Pastor Matt Darby takes us through the powerful truth that Jesus is God as he dives into Colossians 1:15-20. As we continue our five-week journey of discovering who Jesus really is, Pastor Matt emphasizes that Jesus is not just a great teacher or moral leader—He is the Creator of all things, the exact image of the invisible God, and the Savior of the world.Pastor Matt walks us through the supremacy and sovereignty of Christ, revealing how our understanding of Jesus shapes our love for Him, our obedience, and our endurance through life's trials. Jesus is the key to knowing God fully, and understanding His eternal, unchanging nature transforms how we live.This week's message invites us to reflect on the central question: Who do you say Jesus is? With deep insight, Pastor Matt unpacks how Jesus holds everything together, reigns supreme over all creation, and accomplished the reconciliation of all things through His sacrifice on the cross.Join Pastor Matt as he reveals the beauty and majesty of Jesus Christ, inviting us to see Him as the ultimate answer to the question of who He really is.Do you know JESUS?: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nblongview.org/do-you-know-jesus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Need PRAYER?: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nblongview.org/pray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SUPPORT through giving: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nbbctx.org/giving⁠⁠

March 23, 2025 | Jesus is...God | Colossians 1:15-20In this episode, Pastor Todd Kaunitz kicks off a powerful new series called Jesus Is…, where we delve deep into understanding the true nature of Jesus. Drawing from Colossians 1:15-20, Pastor Todd explains how Jesus is not just a moral teacher or spiritual leader, but the very manifestation of God Himself.Through vivid illustrations and biblical insights, Pastor Todd unpacks the profound truth that Jesus is the Creator of all things — the visible image of the invisible God. He is the ultimate authority in the Church, and the Savior who reconciles all things to Himself through His death on the cross.This episode challenges you to reflect on the most important question you can answer: Who do you say Jesus is? With powerful insights into the deity of Christ, Pastor Todd urges us to fully surrender every part of our lives to Jesus.Key Takeaways:Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God.He is the Creator and sustainer of all things.Jesus is the authority of the Church and the Savior of the world.If Jesus is God, we must surrender everything to Him.Do you know JESUS?: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nblongview.org/do-you-know-jesus⁠⁠⁠⁠Need PRAYER?: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nblongview.org/pray⁠⁠⁠⁠SUPPORT through giving: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nbbctx.org/giving⁠⁠

Feeling angry or burnt out in your motherhood journey? You're not alone, Mama. In this episode, we explore how to find real, lasting joy in serving the Lord by loving and serving our families. From shifting our perspective to resting in God's strength, we'll explore practical, faith-filled ways to trade exhaustion for His peace.Key Points:The Struggle is Real: Motherhood is hard, but God meets us in the mess (Psalm 127:3, John 16:33).Reframe Your Work: Every act of love for your family is worship to God (Colossians 3:23).Pause for Strength: Take small moments to breathe in God's truth (Isaiah 40:31).Joy is a Gift: It's a fruit of the Spirit, grown as we abide in Him (Galatians 5:22-23).Scriptures Referenced (ESV):Psalm 127:3 – “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”John 16:33 – “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”Isaiah 40:31 – “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength…”Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…”Takeaways:Turn your daily tasks into acts of worship to the Lord as you love and serve the Lord through loving and serving your family.You don't have to fix your feelings alone—run to God and let His joy be your strength right in the middle of the fire.Natalie invites you to listen in and stay for this journey.Please like, subscribe, rate, review, and share so we can help other mamas who are feeling stuck in their anger and burnout get unstuck and find JOY in their motherhood journey!Tools:Take your first steps to overcome destructive anger so you can be the fun, present and joyful wife and mom you want to be!Download the Trigger Tracker today!Resources & Books Natalie Recommends!Links:EP 13: Do I Really Have Jesus in My Heart if I Can't Control My Anger?EP 7: Help! I'm Angry Now: Calm Mom Anger in the MomentWork with NatalieSponsor:Plan to Eat - click here for your FREE trial and 20% off your first annual subscription!Questions, thoughts, feedback? Send me a text!Connect with Natalie: Natalie's Website: nataliehixson.comInstagram: instagram.com/angrymamacoachPinterest: pinterest.com/nataliehixsonYouTube: @angrymamacoachAcknowledgements: Producer and editor: Skye Hixson Music: Simon Reid www.simonreidmusic.com

No matter how much wisdom we gain, how many trophies we collect, or how well we plan, we all face the same fate. It's an uncomfortable truth, but Solomon didn't shy away from it. He wrestled with a reality we all try to ignore—does any of this really matter? Welcome to The Daily. We go through the bible verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, every single day. Our text today is Ecclesiastes 2:12-17. So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly. For what can the man do who comes after the king? Only what has already been done. Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness. The wise person has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that the same event happens to all of them. Then I said in my heart, “What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?” And I said in my heart that this also is vanity. For of the wise as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How the wise dies just like the fool! So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind. — Ecclesiastes 2:12-17 Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, stood at the peak of human achievement. And yet, at the end of his reflection, he reached a disturbing conclusion—his wisdom and toil would eventually be left to another, whether wise or foolish. What he sees is the injustice of wisdom and toil. No matter how much effort he poured into his work and put into protecting his work, someone else would always reap the benefits. Someone else would enjoy the wealth he worked for all his life. Someone else would take his throne and do unwise things with the kingdom. And worst of all? His wisdom couldn't alter the unavoidable: both the wise and the fool share the same fate. The point? Death comes for all, erasing their memory from the minds of future generations. This reality broke Solomon. “So I hated life,” he admitted. Not because life was meaningless in itself but because its bounties were brief, passing to those who did not earn them. The temptation is to look at Solomon's words and despair, but his frustration points us to the truth: if all we labor for is under the sun, it will never satisfy. Everything we build, everything we achieve, will eventually be given to someone else. If our meaning is found in our work, we will be crushed by the reality that it won't last. We all know companies fail, businesses are sold, people are fired, careers are altered, all in the blink of an eye. But we find hope if we shift our focus above the sun—beyond this temporary world. Our labor, when accomplished for God, has eternal significance. The Apostle Paul echoes this in 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” So, what do we do with this? Do we stop working, stop striving, and let life happen? No. But we must shift our perspective. So here's the challenge: Stop working for things that won't outlive you. Start investing in what will outlast you. How? Serve with eternity in mind. Work as if you are building something for God, not just yourself. Invest in people, not just projects. Prioritize relationships over rewards, faithfulness over fame, and obedience over outcomes. Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God (Colossians 3:23). If your toil is focused on earthly gain, you, like Solomon, will "Hate your toil." But if your toil is for the Kingdom, your labor is never in vain. #EternalPerspective, #WisdomFromSolomon, #WorkForGod ASK THIS: What earthly achievements do you invest in that won't last? How can you shift your focus from temporary success to eternal significance? In what ways does your work glorify God? How can you prioritize faithfulness over fame in your daily life? DO THIS: Shift your focus—serve with eternity in mind. Work as if you're building something for God, not just yourself. PRAY THIS: Lord, help me to labor for what lasts. Teach me to seek eternal significance rather than temporary gain, and to glorify You in all I do. Amen. PLAY THIS: Come Jesus Come.

Continuing our current sermon series, A Maturing Church, TA walks us through Colossians 3:18-21 and reminds us that when we are in Christ, we will point to Christ in our singleness, in our marriages, and in our parenting.

Continuing our current sermon series, A Maturing Church, TA walks us through Colossians 3:18-21 and reminds us that when we are in Christ, we will point to Christ in our singleness, in our marriages, and in our parenting.

Today Emma Dotter is joined by faithful Watermark Member Brandon Pokley to talk about Psalm 68. This passage shows us more about who God is by seeing what He values. We see many elements about God's character from this psalm found in Jesus' teachings as well, as Jesus Christ is the very "image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15) and the "exact imprint of his nature" (Hebrews 1:3). As we see God rightly, the Holy Spirit transforms our character to become more like Christ and find joy in His presence.  Additional Scripture Referenced: Psalm 16:11 – "in Your presence there is fullness of joy"  If you're interested in serving on the Join The Journey Resource or Hospitality Team, check out this link: https://www.watermark.org/search/serve?query=Join%20the%20journey  Grab a Join The Journey Journal for Psalms: https://a.co/d/7rt0H3g   Got kids? Check out the NEW Join The Journey Jr. Journal for 2024: https://a.co/d/eYBgvUM   You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898