Jesus Changes People

Following the statements that all fullness was in Jesus, and that those in Christ also have been brought to fullness, Paul now lays out how that is possible. It’s through the spiritual change that comes from union with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection. Paul also shares just how forgiven and secure Christians are because of what Jesus has done. Join Mike and Ken as they seek to clarify...

Paul warns the Colossians about hollow and deceptive philosophy, but instead of describing what to look out for, he says their best defense is to understand the fullness that exists in Jesus and in them. The words surely encouraged the Colossians and empowered them to live confidently. Join Ken and Mike as they discuss how these powerful and encouraging words are words we need to hear today. They...

Paul loves the Colossians, and even 1,000 miles between them wasn’t going to keep him from ministering to them. With a true shepherd’s heart, he wants to make sure they know who they are, so that they won’t be deceived by smooth talkers who wish to lead them away from Jesus. With praise for their disciplined and firm faith in Jesus, Paul layouts one of the shortest and clearest descriptions of wha...

Paul shares that he rejoices in the suffering he has endured for the sake of sharing the word of God in its fullness with the church. The message he shares was a mystery, hidden for ages, but now he’s freely sharing it with God’s people, and this includes not just the Jews but also the Gentiles. How does he do all of this? In his words, strenuously, but not by his might but by the energy of Jesus...

Following his explanation that Jesus has supremacy over all creation, Paul next lets the Colossians know Jesus is superior to all others when it comes to re-creation, the redemption of humankind. In this, Jesus is rightfully the head of the church, the firstborn from among the dead, has reconciled all things to himself, having the fullness of God dwelling in Him, so that in everything He might be...

In just 3 verses, Paul lets us know Jesus is the image of God, the firstborn of creation, that in, through, and for Him all things were created, that He is before all things, and that He holds all things together. In saying this, Paul’s thrown down the gauntlet, stating without reservation that Jesus is superior to all others! This is something the Colossians needed to hear, and it’s something we...

In verse 3, Paul moves to his opening prayer and thanksgiving for the Colossians. In this prayer, he’s thankful for their progress and shares his hopes for them. His prayer lays the groundwork for what’s coming in his letter, the themes, and it sets the tone. Faith, hope, love, the full gospel message, and the fruit of the Spirit are just a few things Paul touches on. Most importantly, he describe...

Many letters start with pleasantries and hellos, but not much substance. That’s not the case with Paul’s letter to the Colossians. In the opening sentence, which is in verses 1 and 2, Paul talks about Christian identity, his apostleship, and Timothy, his companion in ministry. But wait there’s more, which sounds like a late night commercial. He makes sure these non-Jewish believers understand they...

New year, new season. Season 3 will focus on the letter written to the Colossians by the Apostle Paul. Ken and Mike give an introduction to this letter by sharing some history about Paul the author, discussing the Colossian church and the culture of their day. The guys also lay out some of the themes from Colossians that they’ll touch on in the coming season. You’ll be surprised at the parallels b...

Ken and Mike wrap up their second season and the first year of Jesus Changes People. They reflect on the previous year and look forward to what might lie ahead in the next. During the main sections, they discuss why it’s important to reflect on past events, the trouble with New Year’s resolutions, and offer some practices to help get the year started off on the right foot. Also included is the lon...

Luke begins his biography of Jesus, explaining why he’s undertaken the writing of his account. He desires to put down an orderly record so that people won’t be fuzzy about something so important as the life of Jesus. If we’d heard the story of Jesus’ read from scripture, it’s most likely been read from the book of Luke, so it is quite familiar to us. However, the stories of Mary and John the Bapti...

Mark, much like John, begins his biography with Jesus as an adult. His account moves rapidly through a prophecy from Isaiah, John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness, Jesus’ baptism by John, God the Father speaking from heaven to Jesus, and Jesus heading into the wilderness for forty days, which included being tempted by Satan. Mark covers all of this in just 15 verses. Although it’s not the t...

Matthew begins his biography of Jesus with a genealogy. Although a genealogy seems like something we should skip, it’s surprising who we find listed in Jesus’ family tree. It’s also amazing that Matthew didn’t hesitate to include some of these individuals. From those he includes, we’re provided a great reminder that no one is beyond the grace of God. Matthew, unlike John, further shares the detail...

John begins his biography of Jesus as an adult and with what seems to be a philosophical introduction–but one that is packed with rich theology. Contrary to what we might think, the Christmas story did not begin in Bethlehem or even when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. The Christmas story–God coming from heaven to earth–has existed in the heart of God since the very beginning. That’s what John...

We’ve learned a lot about Jesus as we’ve journeyed through the book of John during Season 1, but if we don’t do something with it, then it hasn’t really been helpful information. In this season wrap-up episode, Ken and Mike discuss different ways that will help you put into practice what we’ve learned about and from Jesus. The major themes from John chapters 1-21 they discuss are dependence, witne...

The last story that John records sets the stage for what will happen in the Book of Acts. After breakfast, Jesus calls Peter aside and asks him the same question three times – “Do you love me?” Some commentators believe the three questions are Jesus’ way of referring back to Peter’s three denials. After each question, Jesus commands Peter to care for his sheep. Although the series of questions hur...

John 21 contains a simple but powerful story about trusting in Jesus. Several of the apostles decided to go fishing. This included a few professionals (Peter, James, and John). Although they spent the entire night fishing, they had nothing to show for it. John tells us that Jesus appeared on the shore, “but the disciples did not realize it was Jesus.” Although he appeared to be a stranger, they st...

In verses 30 and 31, John tells us why he wrote this biography of Jesus. The first reason is that we may believe that Jesus is truly the Christ, the Son of God. This is why his Gospel emphasizes the miracles of Jesus and the “I am” statements of Jesus. Jesus is the most unique person in all of history. The second reason happens as a result of believing in Jesus – that we may have life in his name....

When Jesus makes his first post-resurrection appearance to the disciples, he meets them in a locked room. Why are they hiding? It’s because they are afraid of the Jews. During this encounter, he speaks directly to their fears: “Peace be with you.” He reassures them that it’s really him by showing them his scars. Finally, he gives them the charge that will shape the rest of their lives: “As the Fat...

We’ve learned more about Jesus in John 16:1-20:18, but if we don’t do something with it, then it hasn’t really been helpful information. Ken and Mike discuss different ways that will help you put into practice what we’ve been learning about and from Jesus. This includes what it means to be set apart and grow in our faith; to understand what truth is and how to apply it; and how we connect the Jewi...

Following the death of Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea asks Pilate for permission to take his body. Pilate grants him permission. He is assisted by an interesting figure – Nicodemus. This is the same Nicodemus who comes to Jesus at night (John 3) and who will come to Jesus’ defense (John 7). This reemergence of Nicodemus seems to reflect a growing connection to Jesus. Three days later, Jesus comes back...

Jesus will make seven statements from the cross. John’s account of the crucifixion contains three of them. The first statement is to ensure his mother is cared for. The second statement is a recognition of thirst. It is the third statement – “It is finished” – that signals the end of his life. But it’s more than just the end of his life. “It is finished” is his way of saying that the work he came...

Pilate wanted to dismiss Jesus and set him free. At one point, Pilate faces the angry crowd and tells them, “I find no basis for a charge against him.” When the crowd responds that Jesus has claimed to be the Son of God, Pilate becomes even more afraid. He asks Jesus where he’s from, Jesus refuses to answer, prompting Pilate to say, “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify...

The death of Jesus was not an accidental part of God’s plan – and it wasn’t simply the result of human activity (Judas, the Jewish leaders, the Roman soldiers). Jesus was aware of what was happening. Other gospels record that he prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). When questioned by Pilate, Jesus would tell him “the reason I...

John seventeen is the longest recorded prayer of Jesus in scripture. The prayer is divided into three main parts: for himself, for his disciples, and for all eventual believers. Throughout the prayer, Jesus uses his relationship to the Father as the example for how we are to relate to one another. He wants his disciples to be protected and to have “the full measure” of his joy within them. The las...