Category Archives: 51 Colossians

How do the creeds protect the Life-giving Gospel? (Part 2 of 3)

by Jared Lidgerwood

Previously we have looked at why the Christian church has the Apostles’ Creed. We now turn our attention to consider how the creeds (generally) protect the life-giving gospel.

As the early Christian church busily set about establishing new churches they proclaimed the gospel – spreading the news about a treasure that offered forgiveness from God the Father; promised life, both new and eternal in the Son; and gave a clear understanding through the Holy Spirit. It was the apostles who led the charge and took this life-giving gospel out to the nations – telling people, travelling, sometimes under persecution, and never keeping quiet. Within a single generation the gospel message had been proclaimed all over the Mediterranean, Asia Minor, North Africa and into Europe.

Continue reading →

Sermon – New Beginnings: Go and Live (John 4:43-54)

The Gospel of John introduces Jesus and gives him an extraordinary array of titles. Jesus does not disappoint. His teaching, his interactions, his miracles and his knowledge give those who meet him cause to question who he is – and as readers we also can look at these ‘encounters’ and decide for ourselves whether Jesus is worth another look. Perhaps a new beginning for a new year.

This talk challenges us to listen to God’s word, believe even if we can’t see, and as a result go and live out our faith in Jesus.

Read the text – John 4:43-54 Isaiah 65:17-25

Talk Outline: New Beginnings – Go and LiveDownload

Sermon – Gathering to Proclaim Christ (Colossians 1:15-2:7)

2020 Vision

How good it would be to have 20/20 vision? So many opportunities open up to you when you can see with clarity. Colossians helps the Christians person to see clearly. And as Colossians is written to a church, the gathering of disciples, it helps to set our sights on what we might be able to do in ministry and mission for the cause of the gospel. The core business of an assembled group of Christians is to fulfil the commission which our Lord gave us – to go out and make disciples.

Read the Bible text – Colossians 1:15-2:7

Talk Outline – Col 1.15-2.7

Watch the Video – here

Choosing what we sing in Church:Why Sing? (Part 2 of 9)

By David Shead

Why sing?

What is the place of singing in corporate worship?

Of all the things we normally do when we gather together for corporate worship (singing, prayer, Bible readings, teaching, etc.), singing is not more worship or more “worshipful” than the other elements. All are equally acts of corporate worship. This is why it’s theologically misleading to refer to the song leader as the “worship leader”.

However, there is a particular and important contribution that singing makes to our corporate worship (just as there is a particular and important contribution that our corporate prayers make, or our instruction from God’s word makes, etc.). What is singing’s particular contribution? Why sing?

There are a number of important reasons:

Continue reading →

Is Every Christian Called to be an Evangelist? (Part 7 of 7)

Consider Colossians 4:2-6

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.                                                                                           (Colossians 4:2-6)

This is a call to do evangelism, that is, to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.

From time to time there is a little bit of discussion among Christian folk about what Paul means here. Is every Christian called to be an ‘evangelist’?

Continue reading →

How to be Bold in Witness? (Part 5 of 7)

Why is it that Christians are often reluctant to be bold in witness? For me that is simple – it is often hard work, or I am too chicken, or I am too distracted, or I am…

I know the excuses, because I have used them all. I am the reluctant evangelist.

It is not uncommon for me to be standing on the sidelines of a soccer pitch watching my sons play football. Alongside, stand the other parents. A perfect opportunity to speak about Jesus?

Continue reading →

Sermon – Gospel-driven guidance: Discovering God’s plan for your life

Geoff Lin shows that the Bible differentiates between God’s sovereign will and God’s moral will. He then goes on to explain from the Bible, why understanding that distinction will help us to live in a way that does align with God’s will and also frees us from anxiety about the decisions we face each day.

Watch the Sermon

Listen to the Sermon

Read the Bible texts: Colossians 1:9-14, Ephesians 1:3-14, Philippians 2:5-11

English Support Handout