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Life in Christ begins with seeking things above. Our own willpower is not sufficient to conquer earthly passions, so we must put on the goodness of Christ and live life for Him. Scripture: Colossians 3:1-17 To go deeper: Read Chapter 3 verses 5-17. Each day this week and reflect on these questions: Monday - What do you need to put away? Tuesday - What do you need to put on? Wednesday - Who do you need to Forgive? Thursday - What do you need to be thankful for? Friday - What do you need to start doing in Jesus’ name? Check out this catechism question from The Gospel Coalition: Since we are redeemed, must we still do good? https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/new-city-catechism/since-we-are-redeemed-by-grace-alone-through-christ-alone-must-we-still-do-good-works-and-obey-gods-word/

If you have died with Christ, stop settling for the empty shadows of performance, legalism, and man-made rules. Instead, hold fast to Jesus, who is the true substance and the only source of genuine spiritual growth and transformation. Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23 To go deeper: Desiring God: Shadows of Christ, the Substance — A short Look at the Book video guided by John Piper through Colossians 2:16–17, unpacking how Old Testament rules and rituals are mere shadows that point to Jesus as the true substance. Article: Desiring God: Should Christians Keep the Sabbath? — An article exploring Paul’s warning in Colossians 2:16–17 regarding holy days and Sabbaths, explaining how believers find true rest in Christ rather than external rule-keeping. Links: Desiring God | Shadows of Christ, the Substance: https://www.desiringgod.org/labs/shadows-of-christ-the-substance Desiring God | Should Christians Keep the Sabbath?: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/should-christians-keep-the-sabbath

Scripture: Colossians 2: 1-15

In the first half of Colossians 1, Paul prays for the Colossians to grow in the knowledge of God’s will and in wisdom. In the second half of Colossians 1 and the first few verses of Colossians 2, Paul explains that the knowledge and wisdom he is praying for them to receive is the full understanding of who Jesus is. Jesus is God, the wonderful mystery of God's word revealed, and His in-dwelling presence enables them to grow into mature followers of Jesus. Scripture: Colossians 1:15-2:5 To go deeper: Check out this Bible Project podcast for a deeper understanding of Colossians 1:15-20. Check out this Streetlights video on the concept of the last being first. Links: https://bibleproject.com/podcasts/firstborn-creation/ https://bibleproject.com/videos/last-will-be-first-theme-video-streetlights-remix/

Pray for God to fill you with his wisdom and understanding so that your will may be aligned with His. In this, we will be made to work in a worthy manner, bearing fruit, being strengthened, and giving thanks. Scripture: Colossians 1:9-12 To go deeper: Check out this Bible Project Overview of Colossians Study this catechism question: How Can We Glorify God? Links: https://youtu.be/pXTXlDxQsvc?si=1sGxvS5Jf85KHPzG https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/new-city-catechism/how-can-we-glorify-god/

This week's message: Our Identity in Christ as Conquerors Scripture: Romans 8:28-37 Key takeaway: Because Christ has overcome the world, we are more than conquerors, even in the midst of suffering. We can trust that God is working all things for our good and rest in the unshakable truth that nothing can separate us from His love. To go deeper: Read all of Romans Chapter 8 Check out this video from John Piper: https://www.desiringgod.org/labs/we-are-more-than-conquerors

This week's message: Our Identity in Christ as Co-Laborers Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16 Key takeaway: God has wanted us to labor with Him from the beginning, but our desire to be God has gotten in the way of laboring with God. Jesus perfectly labors with God, and ultimately brings the new covenant, putting God’s Spirit inside of us, causing us to walk in His love, and allowing us to become co-laborers with Christ. By putting on the new self with compassionate hearts, our lives will reflect the love of God, and we will become the salt of the earth and the light of the world, pointing everything back to Jesus and God, allowing us to be co-laborers of the harvest with Christ. To go deeper: Listen to the Bible Project Podcast explaining our connection to salt and light: https://bibleproject.com/podcasts/salt-land-and-light-world/ Read the teachings of Paul that highlight how our lives can show the love of Christ in our hearts: Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-13, Philippians 2, Ephesians 4-5, and Colossians 3-4. Pray and ask God to help you put on the new self daily.

This week's message: Our Identity in Christ as the Bride of Christ Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-33 Key takeaway: As the Church, we are the Bride of Christ—chosen by the Father, purchased by the blood of Christ, and awaiting the return of our Bridegroom. Because Christ has perfectly and sacrificially loved His Bride, our response in this present season of waiting is to submit ourselves fully to Him, live in righteousness, and remain ready for His return. To go deeper: Spend time studying Ephesians 5:22-33, Matthew 25: 1-13, John 14:1-3, 1st Thessalonians 4:16-18, and Revelation 19:7-8 Listen to this sermon from John Piper: Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom, Past and Future; https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/jesus-christ-the-bridegroom-past-and-future

This week's message: Celebration of Baptism Scripture: Acts 8:26-39 and 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 Today we celebrated as 4 believers passed through the waters of Baptism, proclaiming their faith in Jesus Christ publicly, with their church family. We also enjoyed hearing from Lauren Lonneman and Jonathan Murphy as they shared scripture with us and led the congregation in prayer. To go deeper: What is Baptism? https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/new-city-catechism/what-is-baptism/

Jesus paid the ultimate price to reclaim us from sin and darkness and to restore us to himself. Redemption doesn’t merely make us better, it transforms our very identity and makes us a part of God’s family and His kingdom. Scripture: Colossians 1:13-14 To go deeper: The Bible Project has an excellent podcast series on redemption that's worth a listen: The Bible Project | Redemption Check out this catechism question and answer from the Gospel Coalition: Since We Are Redeemed by Grace Alone, Through Christ Alone, Must We Still Do Good Works and Obey God’s Word? Links: https://bibleproject.com/podcasts/series/redemption/ https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/new-city-catechism/since-we-are-redeemed-by-grace-alone-through-christ-alone-must-we-still-do-good-works-and-obey-gods-word/

We were made for family, but because of our sin, lost that family with God and others. In Jesus, we are restored to the family of God as He calls us His brothers and sisters. This amazing love changes us and the way we interact with one another, causing us to pursue Jesus together in deep relationship. Scripture: Hebrews 2:10-18 To go deeper: Reach out to David or the elders about leading or joining a community group. Check out the Three Circles Gospel presentation tool: https://www.namb.net/evangelism/3circles/

Adoption changes our status. Through Christ, we are not merely forgiven; we are given a new identity as children of God and joint heirs with Christ.Adoption gives us incredible privileges. Our debt has been canceled, we share in Christ’s inheritance, and we have full and confident access to God as our Father.Adoption comes with responsibility. As children who bear our Father’s name, we are called to pray to Him, imitate Him, and trust Him in the way we live. Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-8To Go Deeper:Live from your identity, not for it. How would your daily life change if you truly believed that your standing with God is based on what Christ has done rather than what you accomplishConsider what it means to call God “Father.” Because of our adoption, we can approach God with the confidence and intimacy of a child approaching a loving father. How should that change the way you pray, especially when you have failed or are struggling?Bear the family resemblance. God doesn’t simply give His children His name; He desires them to reflect His character. Where is God currently calling you to look more like your Father—by forgiving, loving, trusting, or obeying Him?

Who Am I? Humans have been trying to answer this question from the beginning of time. In our new sermon series titled “Our Identity in Christ,” we’re going to study who we are in Christ over the next two months. This week we studied that we are beloved. Isaiah 43 says that we are precious, and honored, and that God loves us. By receiving, responding to, and sharing God’s love, we can live life as a beloved child of God. Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-7 To go deeper: Study Ephesians 4-6 to see how Paul encourages us to be imitators of God. Listen to songs that communicate God’s love to you: Run to the Father, Come to the Altar, Good Good Father, and Reckless Love are great options. Develop an identity statement based on your thoughts today. Hold onto it and write another identity statement at the end of the sermon series. Does anything change? Ask God to lead you in deepening your identity in Christ each day. Links: Run to the Father: https://open.spotify.com/track/3g7bn09uvp9jkMAW0jXOms?si=8aad499fa96d4aee Come to the Altar: https://open.spotify.com/track/6nVDBroCoxJWPo2mBt802w?si=99e30e29ea82464f Good Good Father: https://open.spotify.com/track/1mWdyqs6Zvg8b1lKjDc8yB?si=8601b83323ec4948 Reckless Love: https://open.spotify.com/track/0DWXEQvxbrDlJ1tt9Q1Zc9?si=b8fe057df8124f03

The Holy Spirit brings God’s presence into the lives of believers. The Christian life cannot be lived apart from the Spirit. Scripture: John 14:15-27 To go deeper: Spend time this week studying John 14:15-27, Acts 1:9, 2:1-13, and Ephesians 3:16-21.Start your day with a simple prayer asking the Holy Spirit to guide you, to teach you, to renew and transform you, to give you bold faith to be a witness to the world around you, and to empower you to walk in step with Him.Study this question and answer from The Gospel Coalition's New City Catechism: How Many Persons Are There in God? : https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/new-city-catechism/how-many-persons-are-there-in-god/

The story of Scripture is the story of how our perfect communion with God was lost and restored. God the Father sent his Son, fully God and fully man so that through Him we might share in the love that they’ve shared before the world or even time existed. Scripture: Colossians 1:15-20 To go deeper: The Bible Project has some great resources available! Check out their podcast episode on God's Firstborn Son and their video on The Son of Man. Study this question and answer from The Gospel Coalition's New City Catechism: How Many Persons Are There in God? Links: God’s Firstborn Son: https://bibleproject.com/podcasts/gods-firstborn-son/ The Son of Man: https://youtu.be/z6cWEcqxhlI?si=9eM7IWJ_mbPJnBKf How Many Persons Are There in God?: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/new-city-catechism/how-many-persons-are-there-in-god/