A Life Changed By God (Part 1)

Ryan Lowery

Colossians 3:12-13

Once we become Christians, we have a new identity. When we invite God into our life, we have the choice to let Him use us to change the world, but we have to say yes to Him changing us first. In the apostle Paul's letter to the Colossians, he lists two ways God wants to grow us: teaching us to put others first and how to forgive others.

The Path to Spiritual Maturity (Part 2)

Gary DeLashmutt

Colossians 3:5-17

Part two of a two-part series on the path to spiritual maturity. Paul encourages the Colossians to embrace a lifestyle consistent with what God has provided us through Christ. He urges them to ?put aside? a self-centered way of life and to ?put on? an other-centered, loving lifestyle. As we cultivate a mental focus on ?the things above? (part one) and replace a selfish lifestyle with a loving one (part two), God changes us from the inside out.

Experiencing All The Fullness

Dennis McCallum

Colossians 2:2-13

It is dangerous when believers venture outside of Christ's revelation in order to discover truth. The basis for change is to understand the new identity that Christians receive and to allow this truth to lead them into a new life.

The Key to Spiritual Growth

Scott Risley

Colossians 2:4-15

Growing with God doesn't happen by human effort, but reflecting on the new identity we have in Christ. By knowing and believing in our new identity, our lives can become characterized by gratitude and being rooted in God's truth about what He says about us, which will keep us from being carried away by false teachings.

Your New Self

Ryan Lowery

Galatians 6:8

Paul shares with the Colossians that when you come into a relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, your whole identity is changed. The first step in appropriating this identity is putting spiritual things first and disciplining your thoughts to align with your new identity. This is how real character transformation occurs.

How Does Lasting Change Happen?

Jim Leffel

Colossians 3:1-11

Being "in Christ" means that we have received a new identity where we are victorious, totally acceptable to God, and have the hope of heaven. We need to set our mind on these things as we resist the old self and act as the people that God has made us to be. The song "Ain't No Grave" by Claude Ely was performed to illustrate victory over death.

The Path to Spiritual Maturity (Part 1)

Gary DeLashmutt

Colossians 3:1-4

Part one of a two-part series on the path to spiritual maturity. Paul teaches the Colossians how to move toward spiritual maturity by cultivating a proper mental focus. ?Keep seeking the things above? emphasizes the need to keep increasing in our understanding of God's grace. ?Set your mind on the things above? emphasizes the need to keep identifying false thoughts and replacing them with the truth about what God has given us in Christ. We cannot grow to maturity without embracing these truths.

Experiencing the Fullness of Christ

Conrad Hilario

Romans 6:11

Paul writes to combat and dismantle the false Gnostic teachings that were circulating within the Colossian church. Paul warns them to not be taken captive by the false ideologies. From the early church until now, Christianity's central truths have been attacked and infiltrated by various philosophies. This is why we need to be grounded in the Word and know our new identity in Christ.

Religious Practices That Are Hazardous to Your Spiritual Health

Gary DeLashmutt

Colossians 2:16-23

False teachers were trying to get the Colossians to heed certain religious practices in order to grow spiritually. Paul addressed this by declaring ritualism, mysticism, and legalism to be hazardous for spiritual growth. Tragically, most people today think these practices are central to Christianity or viable options. Paul is clear that these practices will sideline us spiritually and we need to root them out.\r\n