series: colossians: closer to jesus

Colossians tells us that Jesus is the all-surpassing treasure of infinite worth; He is the creater and redeemer, ruler and maker of all things. If you get Jesus and get nothing else, you still get filthy rich. In Colossians 4:2-6, we are given two commands: Walk in Wisdom and Continue in Prayer. How do we Walk in Wisdom in today's world? Ask yourself these 4 questions: 1. Is it biblical? 2. What are the influences in my life? 3. Is there balance? 4. How is my speech? Continue in Prayer: When? Constantly What? Pray the Bible. How? The Lord's prayer.

Do you always try your best? Whether you’re working, relating to your spouse, training your children, or serving others, do you always give your best effort? If not, why not? Listen as Pastor Jeremy teaches us about the importance of doing your best in marriage, parenting, work, and service from Colossians 3:17-4:1 in the sermon, “In All things…” WHAT: 1. Marriage 2. Parenting 3. Work WHY: 1. The Lord sees. 2. The Lord knows. 3. The Lord will reward.

Are you only going after things that you want, or are you seeking God for the things He has already promised to give you? Do you know what has God promised to give you? Now is the time to fully believe in His promises. Listen as Pastor Jeremy teaches us from Colossians 3:12-17 in his sermon, “Grace Propels Grace.” 1. Grace to Us 2. God 3. Grace to Others

One of our goals as Christians is to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). But before we can overcome the sin in our lives, we have to look our own evil straight in the eye and decide to fight against it. When the Holy Spirit opens our hearts to recognize our own sin, we understand we are not great – we are deeply flawed and in desperate need of a Savior. Listen as Pastor Jeremy teaches from Colossians 3:5-11 in his sermon, “What to Fight and How.” 1. What is sin? 2. What drives us to sin? 3. How do we resist and fight against sin? ***** SERMON TITLE: What to Fight and How SERMON SERIES: Colossians – Closer to Jesus SPEAKER: Pastor Jeremy Lobdell SCRIPTURES: Colossians 3:5-11 Romans 12:21 James 4:1-3

Will more money solve our problems? What do real riches look like based on God’s message in Colossians 3:1-4? Listen as Pastor Jeremy teaches us how to get rich in Christ. 1. Seek Jesus 2. Get Rich

It’s time to take our eyes off of the shadows (the fake) and focus our eyes on Jesus (the real). Listen as Pastor Jeremy teaches from Colossians 2:16-23 about the shadows to avoid and the substance to pursue: 1. SHADOWS • (v. 18) Mysticism - Watch out for those who downplay Jesus Christ or emphasize external spiritual experiences or angels instead of the person of Jesus Christ. • (v. 16) Legalism – We want our focus to be on Christ instead trying to be justified by our own works and deeds. 2. SUBSTANCE • (v. 17) – Hold fast to Jesus. • Find your identity, worth, meaning, purpose, joy and confidence in Him and Him alone.

What is the Christian path to victory? As we study Colossians 2:6-15, let’s give thanks for these eight amazing things that God did to win the victory for us, save us from sin, and transform us for His Glory: • God made us ALIVE (v 13) • God FORGAVE (v 13) • God CANCELED OUR DEBT (v 14) • God SET ASIDE our debt (v 14) • God NAILED IT (v 14) • God DISARMED (v 15) • God PUT TO SHAME rulers and authorities (v 15) • God TRIUMPHED (v15) ***** SERMON TITLE: How to Win SERMON SERIES: Colossians: Closer to Jesus SPEAKER: Pastor Jeremy Lobdell SCRIPTURES: Colossians 2:6-15

Are the pains and troubles in this life worth it? Is it possible to “rejoice in our sufferings” like Paul says in the book of Colossians? Listen as Pastor Jeremy teaches from Colossians 1:24-2:5 in his sermon, “The All-Surpassing Treasure.” • Problem – What problem do we face today? (1 Timothy 4:1-2; Colossians 2:4) • Solution – What is the solution to the dilution of false teachers? (Colossians 1:28) • Application – Get Jesus at all cost – even if it is through suffering! (Colossians 1:24) ***** Sermon Series: Colossians - Closer to Jesus Sermon Title: The All-Surpassing Treasure Speaker: Pastor Jeremy K. Lobdell Scripture: Colossians 1:24-2:5 1 Timothy 4:1-2

Why is Jesus the best? He is both our Creator & Redeemer! In these times of chaos, let’s take time to focus on Jesus. Listen as Pastor Jeremy teaches from Colossians 1:15-23 about Jesus as both the Creator of everything and the Redeemer of all. ***** Sermon Series: Colossians: Closer to Jesus Sermon Title: Part 2 Speaker: Pastor Jeremy K. Lobdell Scripture: Colossians 1:15-23

There’s no question we are living in tumultuous times. Our hope should not be in our government, our culture, or our possessions. God says to fix our eyes on things above (Colossians 3:2). As followers of Jesus our true home is in heaven – we are merely passing through this temporal and chaotic world. How, then, do we live? Listen as Pastor Jeremy teaches four ways from Colossians 1:1-14 to live in this “in between” time – the time we are living in the midst of trouble and toil on earth and yet longing for our citizenship in heaven: • Increase in knowledge (v 9) • Bearing fruit of hope and peace (v10) • Being strengthened according to His power (v11) • Giving thanks (v12)