Sermons on Colossians

Colossians 4:7-18 “Never before, in the history of humanity, had a more diverse group of people gathered and been welcomed, loved, and accepted than the early Christian church.” This quote comes from a recent episode of frequent Christianity Today contributor Russell Moore’s podcast. Who said it? The answer may surprise you! Join us this Sunday for our final sermon in our series on Colossians; find out who spoke these words about the early Christian church and how they can become true of the modern Christian church as well.

Colossians 4:5-6 Before He ascended to the Right Hand of God, Christ promised His disciples: “In a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. […] You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:5, 8). This promise was fulfilled ten days later — the fiftieth after Easter — on the day we now call Pentecost. Join us this Sunday as we commemorate the outpouring of the Spirit — and consider how the Spirit is empowering us to be Christ’s witnesses, too!

Colossians 4:3-4 Beloved Christian author Henri Nouwen observed that “most Christian leadership is exercised by people who do not know how to develop healthy, intimate relationships and have opted for power and control instead.” It is a commentary as accurate as it is unfortunate, one made even more tragic by its contrast with the leadership exercised by the Apostle Paul. Paul’s leadership was characterized by a relational vulnerability that invited those he led into his hopes, wants, and needs — but also into his ministry. Join us as we listen in on Paul’s conversation with the Colossian believers and consider how to support our own leaders. Eugene Kwon teaches, Hae-Rin Kwon hosts, and Ben and Lucinda King and Team lead us in worship.

Colossians 4:2 What do you call a running sleepwalker? Fast asleep! Have you ever felt like you were running through your day spiritually fast asleep? Join us this Sunday as we hear the alarm bells ring in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians.

Colossians 3:22-4:1 We have arrived at the final chapter of the Apostle Paul’s Letter to the Colossians — and to our final series of sermons on this letter! Having explained how Christ’s Rule and Return changes the way we view ourselves, participate in the believing community, and relate to those closest to us, Paul turned his attention toward out witness to the world outside the Church. Join us this Sunday as we consider how Christ’s Rule and Return changes the way we engage with the world beginning with our workplaces.

Colossians 3:18-21 A wise man once said, “Sometimes, love means giving up the right to be right.” Many a spouse has found this to be true in their marriage, but it certainly is true in our relationship with God. Understanding His Word requires that we be willing to rethink what we think it says — to give up the right to be right — and this is perhaps nowhere more true than when it comes to what His Word says concerning wives and to husbands. Come join us on Sunday as we explore what Paul had to say to married couples and how we might apply it today.

Colossians 3:18-21 In an age when religious leaders only had time for the grown-ups, Christ instructed His disciples: “Let the little children come to Me!” And with that simple command, He taught us what it means to raise our children — and how we grown-ups ought to come to Him as well. The Apostle Paul relayed this teaching to the believers in Colossae; come join us this Sunday as we take a look at what he had to say to the children of God, whatever their age!

Colossians 3:15-16 In the classic musical The Sound of Music, newly-installed governess Maria — loosely based on the historical Maria Von Trapp — discovers that her task of teaching those in her care is better accomplished with a little music. Nineteen centuries prior, the Apostle Paul came to the same conclusion, even elevating singing to the level of teaching and admonishing as a means of filling our hearts with the Word of Christ! Join us this Sunday as we take a closer look at this wonderful tool God has given us to hold onto the truth of Christ that sets us free.

Colossians 3:15 In John 17:21, Christ prayed to His Father that His disciples — across the world and throughout time — “may all be one […] that the world may believe that you have sent me.” Christ prayed for unity to be a defining characteristic of the Church, and His Holy Spirit empowers it — but how? Come join us this Sunday as we continue our study of Colossians and practice the unity we have as the Body of Christ during a time of Body Life.

Colossians 3:12-14 Forgiveness is a virtue many of us strive for our lives but have difficulty attaining; though we know God has called us to it in Christ, instinct tells us that survival in a world of scarcity cannot afford luxuries like mercy and grace. So how do we overcome this instinct and the competitive, adversarial current of the world and become a forgiving people? Come find out as we continue our study of the Apostle Paul’s Letter to the Colossians.

Colossians 3:5-11 In his 1977 album, “The Rambler”, legendary singer-songwriter Johnny Cash criticized a certain attitude he witnessed in the Church: “You’re shining your light and shine it you should / But you’re so heavenly minded, you’re no earthly good”. Perhaps we understand his point — but is it true? Is it possible to be “so heavenly minded” that we become “no earthly good”? Join us this Sunday as we see how being “heavenly minded” can actually give us the freedom to become who we were always meant to be — and to be truly good for the world.

Colossians 3:1-4 It’s been said that “metaphor is the language of faith” — it’s hard to imagine how could we speak of divine, transcendent realities without using metaphors! But does that mean that everything we read in the Bible is a metaphor? When the Apostle Paul wrote that we “have been raised with Christ”, was that just a metaphor? Or was it a literal promise waiting to be fulfilled? And if it is a literal promise, what difference does that make in our lives? Join us this Sunday as we sort the literal from the metaphor and rediscover another corner piece truth from the Letter to the Colossians.