colossians: stay the course

In Rome, under house arrest, Paul’s travel is restricted, but his ministry is thriving. New churches are being established as the gospel spreads across Asia and Paul eagerly writes to encourage them. Though Paul hasn’t met the Colossian believers, his heart yearns for them to stand firm against the opposing winds of cultural and religious ideologies which threaten to undermine their faith. Paul’s exhortations to stay the course are just as relevant and important for us today!

Letter From A Stranger

[Part 1]

Pastor Chris Voigt

August 11, 2024

Have you ever plugged a specific destination into your GPS, only to deviate from the designated route for a lunch break, to get gas, stretch your legs, or the inevitable bathroom break? What happens? An automated voice, in the accent of your choice, will persistently remind you to 'return to the route.' I wonder... what would it be like if there was a GPS for life... a voice that reminded us when we got off-track in any of our goals, priorities, or values... to return to the route. That's what the Apostle Paul is doing in his letter to the Colossian church. He is imploring, exhorting these new believers to stay on track! In the midst of a culture that threatened to drag them off-course, Paul reminded them of how to go about reaching their intended destination without getting waylaid or sidetracked. We need the reminder just as much as the Colossians did.

Membership Has Its Privileges [Part 2]

Pastor Chris Voigt

August 18, 2024

"Welcome to the club!" Has anyone ever said that to you? Perhaps upon reaching a milestone birthday or becoming a grandparent for the first time? There are clubs of all kinds someone might be part of... maybe you're part of a book club, or a classic car club. Perhaps you're a member at a gym or a golf club. You might belong to a union or just be a Costco or Amazon Prime member. Regardless of the kind of club you're part of, there are benefits to being part of it. Once you're in, those benefits are yours... but it's still up to you to use them!

We're in week 2 of a 4-week series on Paul's letter to the Colossians that we've titled, 'Stay the Course.' This week we'll see more of Paul's heart for the Colossian believers to understand who they are in Christ and all the rights and privileges that come with being part of the church.

You Are What You Wear [Part 3]

Pastor Chris Voigt

August 25, 2024

To all the parents navigating the back-to-school shopping season, you have my heartfelt sympathies. Been there, done that. So glad to not be there anymore! But the memories of this busy season - the replacing of backpacks and jackets, stocking up on notebooks, pencils, and crayons, buying new water bottles and lunch boxes, and the inevitable purchasing of new clothes and shoes – got me thinking.

In the third chapter of Colossians, the Apostle Paul begins to unpack what living a new life as a follower of Jesus looks like. He uses the analogy of a wardrobe, identifying ‘garments’ the believer should take off and the new clothing they should be wearing. Old clothes, old behaviors, old habits aren’t fit for this new like-Jesus life, much like the old backpacks, broken crayons, worn-out jeans and sneakers aren’t fit for starting a new school year.

It’s out with the old and in with the new. And the fresh apparel that Paul lays out for us to wear… it’s all Designer duds. You’ll be the envy of the class. Ready to get dressed?

When Opportunity Knocks [Part 4]

Pastor Chris Voigt

September 1, 2024

We are wrapping up our sermon series, Colossians: Stay the Course, this Sunday. As Paul brings his letter to a close, he leaves his readers with some very practical instructions for doing life like Jesus. Because this like-Jesus life is about more than knowing, it's about growing and being like Him... being His hands and feet at home, at work, in your neighborhood, when you're running errands. And trying, as much as possible, to see the unexpected 'knock' as an opportunity, not an interruption.