Back Creek Church | Charlotte, NC

If the resurrection of Jesus is reality, it's time to change our expectations.  If resurrection is reality, the last will be first.  If resurrection is reality, the dead will be alive. If resurrection is reality, the world will be changed. 

Salvation, transformation, proclamation - we're all in this together! We are the Church. In these final greetings, Paul models and commends at least seven characteristics of a church growing more deeply rooted in Christ: Affection Affirmation Reconciliation Communication Hospitality Unity Service

Gospel transformation brings Gospel proclamation by changing our posture (inward focus to outward focus) and our participation in God's mission - we prepare with prayer, walk with wisdom, and speak with saltiness.

We need all of Christ for all of life. He is our Savior and the Lord of all our relationships, roles, and responsibilities: As husbands and wives As children and parents As workers and bosses

The root of the Gospel is Christ. The fruit of the Gospel in change. In Colossians 3:5-17, the Apostle Paul calls us to seek transformation by killing sin and living Christ.

We are naturally inclined and oriented to this world and the things in it. But they can't bear the weight of glory. We need a reorientation of our glory (our identity, our honor, our pursuit, our satisfaction) to that which is actually glorious. Being rooted in Christ reorients our glory. The Apostle Paul teaches us to reorient our glory by dwelling on our past, our present, and our future in Chri...

If we are rooted in Christ, we can walk in victory... victory over the world victory over  the flesh victory over the devil  

We are called to fight for community by - struggling for one another's encouragement - struggling for one another's belonging - struggling for one another's assurance - struggling for one another's good

We have a mission.  Three essential parts of our mission:  The cost of our mission: a ministry of suffering and stewardship The content of our mission: a mystery of riches to be revealed The culmination of our mission: a maturity in wisdom and work

What is the hope of the Gospel?  The One who is above everything (Jesus) has done everything so you can have everything and overcome everything.

The Apostle Paul prays for the local church in Colossae and provides a model for us to pray for our church (to grow).  Pray for your church to grow full of wisdom (1:9) Pray for your church to grow fruitful in works (1:10) Pray for your church to grow fortified for the walk (1:11-12)

Thank God for the root and the fruit of the Gospel.  The root of the Gospel is Christ, as we receive and rest in him alone. The fruit of the Gospel is change, as we are transformed by grace and bear fruit of faith, hope, and love.  

Are you rooted in Christ? In this first message on Paul's letter to the Colossians, we unearth the essence of being firmly planted in faith. As we navigate Colossians 2:6-7, we see the deep connection Paul fostered with the Colossian believers through Epaphras's ministry, and we confront the allure of the "Jesus plus" gospel that threatened their spiritual stability. We share insights on why havin...

"whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father." - Jesus

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.   - Jesus

Jesus promises that in this world we will have tribulation, but we can have a conquering peace because he has overcome the world.

Those who are in Christ are loved forever and will live forever.