Atlanta Westside Presbyterian Church

Attention is the most basic form of generosity. Jesus modeled this attentiveness in his unusual interaction with the Syrophoenician woman. Like her, we who know the gracious attention of Jesus are liberated from self-absorption to give our attention to others, even if only for a few minutes. Seen people see people. Resources consulted: - Making Room, Christine Pohl - Secular Creed, Rebecca McLaugh...

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The entire book of Colossians

Paul closes his letter to Colossae with personal greetings that illustrate what grace looks like in community. It includes humbling the exalted and exalting the humble; sharing ordinary life together; a deep desire to reconcile with people who hurt or disappoint us; gratitude for those who "get" us culturally and above all for those who "get" the Gospel; inconspicuous service and persistent prayer...

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Healthy faith involves talking to God about others—steadfastly, watchfully, and thankfully—and talking to others about God—wisely, graciously and saltily. All of these behaviors flow out of a firm grasp of the Gospel of Jesus, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Resources: - Molly Worthen on the Gospelbound podcast: https://open. spotify.com/episode/0CwAeiZm4EasJfNFJxikh5...

Sometimes we follow, sometimes we lead; in every relationship, Jesus is King. United to him in his death and his life, we build up all others, and him glorify.  Resources: Westminster Larger Catechism , questions 123-133 PCA Report on Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Walter’s August 2022 Sermon on Ephesians 6:1-9

Paul's positive vision of Christian transformation in community is incredibly attractive—and incredibly hard. Qualities like meekness, patience and forbearance are not natural to us, nor are forgiveness, sacrificial love, peace, admonishing one another, and thankfulness. It is possible, however, to "put on" these qualities because of what Christ has done: choosing us, making us holy and beloved, f...

One of Paul’s favorite metaphors for growing as a Christian pictures change like clothing: putting off the rags of our old life and putting on the robes of our new life in Christ. Verses 1-11 focus on putting off, which involves situating ourselves in God’s past-present-and-future story, agreeing on death’s address (that is, why we should put off certain behaviors and dispositions), and killing th...

Spiritual elitism, or legalism, attempts to exclude Christians based on religious performance. Paul names three specific forms of it here: majoring on the external, pretending to transcend the physical, and being known by your don'ts. The true Gospel opposes all of them, training us to distinguish shadows from substance, not to fight flesh with flesh, and above all to hold fast to the Head, Jesus...

Everyone walks through life “rooted” in some core beliefs, whether explicitly religious or not. Paul argues that only the person and work of Jesus can give us the life we truly want. But in order to choose him we must understand how captivating the alternatives can be, why Jesus is superior to all of them, and what only he can do for us. 

In this section of Colossians, Paul opens up about the nature of ministry; it's many challenges and joys. Paul also makes clear that anyone and everyone who desires can enter into the mystery of union with Christ because it has been completely revealed in Jesus. It is not for a select few, but for all who come with simple, humble repentance and faith.

Paul wants to expand our vision of Jesus, deepen the roots of our trust in him, and tighten our grip on his Good News. In the process, he exposes multiple ways that we tend to shrink Jesus to a manageable size. Do you think of Jesus as so darn nice that it’s hard to imagine ever being intimidated by him? Are you so cynical about the church that it’s hard to take Jesus seriously? Are you offended t...

People who understand and believe the good news of Jesus increasingly bear good fruit in their lives. This is part of why the good news is good: Because it changes us! Paul's thanksgiving and prayers for the Colossians subtly challenge us to actively participate in our own transformation.

What difference does it make to believe that Jesus rose from the dead? Paul says it means carrying the death of Jesus, and looking for the life of Jesus—in our bodies. This dynamic engine of grace includes repentance and release, along with expectation to see the “weight of glory” in the mosaic God makes of our own stories and the people around us. The very physical, bodily nature of God’s redempt...

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Like Facebook or One Drive attempts to do, considering the evil, misery, and sadness we all face in our lives, this story of Jesus entering Jerusalem is meant to bring hope through seven pictures, pictures that give us subtle, but important details of God’s love for us.

Following Jesus means our supreme allegiance belongs to him alone. This commitment can generate conflict in our relationships, even within our own families. However, it does not leave us alone with Jesus against the world. Rather, we express our allegiance to him by “receiving” or welcoming into relationship everyone who belongs to him, from great prophets to the “littlest” disciple. Jesus undersc...

What frees us from fear of people is the fear of God. Fear of people paralyzes us, whereas fear of God energizes us. Here Jesus names four particular fears and counters each with a powerful promise of God: 1. Fear of exposure with the promise of public vindication 2. Fear of death with the promise of bodily resurrection 3. Fear of meaningless suffering with the promise of providential care 4. Fear...

The cost of following Jesus is persecution. It takes different forms in different times and places, but there are no exceptions. Thankfully, Jesus provides for us in the midst of persecution, including opportunities for mission, the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and escape for the sake of mission. Ultimately, Jesus’ promise that “the one who endures to the end will be saved” is based on his own enduring...

If Jesus calls you to follow him, he will always send you to represent him to the world with both your words and your actions. This doesn't look exactly like the disciples' initial ministry to their fellow Jews, but it does include sharing fellowship and the tasks of ministry with all different kinds of other believers. Ultimately, God holds us accountable for what we know, and supremely for what...

When Jesus heals two blind men and warns them not to tell, they tell everyone. When he heals a mute man, the crowds are wowed, but the Pharisees think he's in cahoots with evil. We might expect Jesus to be frustrated by these divergent reactions to his ministry. Instead he has compassion for the "harassed and helpless" crowds. He sees us as sheep needing a shepherd, and like a harvest field needin...