Audio Messages

Nearly three-quarters of the churches in America are either plateaued or in decline. And this year, 3,500 churches will close their doors for good. Among growing churches, many report no conversion growth, meaning that their growth comes merely by Christians switching their membership to churches with better programs, more comfortable facilities, and greater opportunities to blend in with the crowd. In the conclusion to his letter to the church at Colossae, Paul encourages an outward focus through prayer, purpose, and people.

Today’s message touches on a great area of darkness for many. Spiritual confusion. What is God expecting of me? How can I live a pure life, and avoid sin? How do I overcome my sinful nature? How can I live in a way that pleases God? And here’s the biggie: how can I get off the treadmill of trying to please other people? The anxiety of living a performance-based life just to please others is overwhelming.

Did you make any New Year’s resolutions? Millions of us did. Resolutions to lose weight, quit smoking, change a personality trait, develop a good habit, be a happier person, go deeper spiritually. Resolutions and decisions to change are usually driven by a sense that something is wrong and needs to be fixed. Resolutions often come out of pain and suffering. In this section of Paul’s letter to the Christians at Colossae, he shares how he has resolved to suffer for the cause of the gospel so that everyone could know the mysterious, revolutionary joy of “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

There are all sorts of images of who Jesus is. Someone has said that God created man in his own image, and man returned the favor. What is your image/concept of this baby who was born in a stable in Bethlehem? Jesus asked His disciple that question once. “What about you? Who do you say that I am?” (Mt 16:15) This is the most crucial question we face. No other religious, spiritual, or philosophical influencer ever said, “You’re opinion of me will affect your eternal destiny.” It’s all about Jesus.

Becoming a Christian can be like coming downstairs on Christmas morning and seeing a beautifully decorated tree stuffed with presents under its branches. You’ve already received eternal life and know that you will receive many other good gifts from God. But how disappointing would it be if, as you opened those presents, you found that all the packages were empty? For many of us, daily Christian living seems empty because there is no sense of God’s presence in our lives. We long to please God and live in a way that honors Jesus, but how can we when we don’t understand His will? In these verses, we learn how we can enjoy God’s perfectly pleasing presence!

At Christmas, we sometimes become aware of how small and broken down things are in our lives. Financial resources may seem small. Our decorations may look small compared to the neighbors. Our heart might feel small when we don’t have the feelings of good-will or generosity towards others, or a closeness to God that we know we ought to have. Paul’s letter to the new church in the small town of Colossae reminds us that God’s good news of the gospel comes to small places and fills them with joy!

When it comes to marriage and family, the culture of a 21st century disciple of Jesus is much like the culture of a 1st century disciple of Jesus. When it comes to your family, will you trust the culture, or will you let God's word be your guide and your guard. In this message, Pastor John looks at Jesus' counter-cultural teaching on the Kingdom Family.

We have been focusing in this chapter on the Kingdom Community. There are really two kingdom communities around us. The kingdom of Heaven and the kingdom of the World. Which do you belong to? One operates on the basis of Grace. The other on the basis of Law. Which do your actions towards others show that you are a citizen of?

The kingdom of God coexists in the world today with the kingdom of Satan, sin, and separation from God. In the Parable of the Weeds, Jesus introduces us to the Anti-Mission of our enemy, Satan, and how Jesus’ servants support the Mission of the Kingdom.

There never has been, or ever will be, a greater sacrifice than the sacrifice of Jesus for the sins of the world. But it was Jesus' resurrection from death is what brings marvelous things. In this message, Pastor John looks at how the resurrection brings us life and enables us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God.