God Centered Life

We’re looked at how God does not give up on us. This passage provides ten promises that demonstrate that enduring love. But what are the implications of that persistent love in our efforts to face challenges? Is it possible for us to fail so massively that we cannot be restored? How do we glean hope out of the rubble of what we’ve done? The prophet has good news for us. Zechariah 8:1-23 Learn more...

What emotion does the word “family” bring to mind? Peace? Conflict? Harmony? Disfunction? As Josh dives into our Colossians passage, we’ll also look at a parallel passage in Ephesians to gain further clarity on Paul offering a focal point for any family that is looking to thrive. Colossians 3:18-21 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When was the last time you thought about the connection between your local church and gratitude? In today’s look at the book of Colossians, Paul invites us to find connection with the church, and our service within the church, as a fuel for thankfulness. Colossians 3:15-17 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s not hard to find folks talking about how powerful thankfulness can be. But what about the notion of being amazingly and consistently thankful? Seem a bit over the top? It’s what Paul is inviting us to as we continue our study in Colossians. Colossians 3:15-17 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is holiness? How do we get there? Perhaps it conjures up an image of separation, being above those around us, those considered “unholy.” The pursuit of holiness is a recognized goal, but less known is the “how” of holiness. We’ll look at that in this study. Colossians 3:12-14 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s sometimes thought that as one becomes more holy, one becomes more out of place in our world. From one perspective, that may be true, but what about from the perspective of eternity? Is a journey towards holiness actually a natural progression? We’ll look at that question in this study. Colossians 3:9-11 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A prophet looks ahead. A prophet of hope anticipates good things ahead. If we’ve failed miserably, can we still anticipate good things ahead? Is it possible to fail so miserably that we’re outside the realm of hope? Our objective is to gain a perspective of how our failure measures up to God’s promises and love. Zechariah 8:1-23 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“It just comes naturally.” But what comes naturally? Paul tackles the old nature, and how a relationship with Christ goes to work building a new nature. Part of that new nature is reflected in telling the truth to each other, and ourselves. Colossians 3:9-11 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is it that distinguishes a Christian? Is lifestyle a strong indicator that an individual is a Christian? If not, why not? While Paul addresses this question to his readers in Colossae, the admonition lands powerfully for us today. Colossians 3:1-2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Being a rule follower is a good thing, right? Or is it? Our study today helps us sort out rules that have been added to the essential truth of the Gospel and as such, become dangerous to our faith. Colossians 2:20-23 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Christianity, and religion…. the same thing? Or is there a danger to let subtle additions get in the way of our core relationship with Christ? And what exactly is that danger? Paul addresses this in our study passage. Colossians 2:16-19 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is it possible for good things to get in the way of the best thing? Paul addresses his readers’ attention to good things… things that have become more important than the main truth those things are pointing at. Colossians 2:11-12 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The prophet has laid down the law for those who have violated God’s law, those who are not Holy. He has pointed out that we need to be reconciled with God. And then, in a move of pure hope, he points out how this understanding of our condition sets us up for a significant dose of good news. Zechariah 5:1-4 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s a heartwarming slam dunk—the person in need is told to open the door, revealing an ample supply of just what they desperately needed. It would be sad to watch that person continue to search, but is that what we do in a spiritual sense? What exactly is “fullness"? That’s the focus of our study. Colossians 2:9-10 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Distracted by bright, shiny things!” Does that describe anyone you know? Perhaps, you? In this study, Paul addresses the spiritual equivalent of bright, shiny things and warns against falling for false teachings. Colossians 2:8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“But wait, there’s more!” The church in Colossae was being presented with “gospel-plus” teachings. In today's study, we’re going to explore the gospel, and how if we really understand it, we’ll guard ourselves against unnecessary add-ons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Many analogies are presented in scripture for our roles in the kingdom. Do any of them align with our modern “sales associate?” What does a successful approach to church or evangelism look like? What should our attitude toward non-members be? Important questions are addressed in today’s study. Colossians 1:28-29 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is the mission of the church? Evangelism, fellowship, teaching, sending… making perfect? What is this perfection that Paul talks about? And what is the role of the church in our pursuit of perfection? We’re working further into the first chapter of Colossians as our study continues. Colossians 1:28-29 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s not uncommon for all of us at times, maybe just quietly to ourselves, to feel like we’re dealing with the consequences of our past. We struggle when others around us appear to be flying high. We see clearly all is not rosy in our world at large, and often times, right in our own little corner of it. Are we cursed? We’ll look at that question with our objective being a better understanding who...

You tell a friend about Jesus. But you exclude the part about everyone being a sinner so as not to offend. Have you really presented the Gospel? What happens when we deviate—to accommodate? We’ll look at this question as our study in Colossians continues. Colossians 1:21-23 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you experience the Sunday Spiritual Syndrome? You’re lifted to heights during worship on Sunday, but just 24 hours later, you’re being pummeled by discouragement, frustration, and a lack of hope. Our study in Colossians tries to connect Monday to Sunday. Colossians 1:18-20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The pursuit of excellence may seem a daunting, exhausting task. But if that’s the case, our current study may be a pressure-relief valve as Paul, while encouraging excellence, also reminds us of the important elements we need to lean on to achieve that goal. Colossians 1:10-11 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re admonished to pass along grace to others as grace has been given to us. But how does that idea pair up with a pursuit of excellence? As Paul desires excellence for his readers, we learn about how that pursuit lands for us. Colossians 1:10-11 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How good are you at praying? Or is prayer something you’ve never given much thought to? Sure, it’s vital, we know that, but is there a way to pray… better? As our study in Colossians continues, we’ll take a close look at Paul's prayer and see what we can learn from it. Colossians 1:9 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Power is important, and vital to change, right? Might is the best way to impact the world. And wouldn’t it be great if we had special powers to make amazing things happen all at once? But is power always the solution? Our study today explores those ideas with irony and hope. Zechariah 4:1-14 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices