Faith, Hope, and Love: A New Year’s Renewal
Summary
As we gather at the start of a new year, it's a time for reflection and renewal. The past year may have been challenging, but 2025 offers us a fresh opportunity to refocus our efforts on spreading the gospel and being more Christ-centered in our actions. Today, we delve into the book of Colossians, where Paul writes to the church at Colossae, a church he never visited but heard great things about. He commends them for their faith, love, and hope, which are the marks of a true Christian community.
Paul's letter emphasizes the importance of faith in Christ as the foundation of our Christian journey. Faith is where everything begins, and without it, we cannot please God. The Colossian church was known for its hope, a hope that is rooted in the assurance of God's promises. This hope is not based on circumstances but on the eternal truth of Christ's resurrection. Love, the final mark, is the distinguishing feature of a Christian community. The Colossians were known for their love for all people, a love that is selfless and sacrificial, modeled after Christ's love for us.
The message of the church is the gospel, the truth of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. This message is powerful and life-changing, capable of transforming lives wherever it is shared. The gospel is not just a set of facts but a living truth that bears fruit in the lives of believers. As a church, we must be committed to sharing this message with confidence and clarity.
The ministry of the church is twofold: a place of learning and a place where love is felt. We are called to teach and learn the gospel, ensuring that every believer can understand and embrace the word of God. Love is not just a mark but a vital part of our ministry, a love that is inclusive and action-oriented, reflecting the love of Christ.
As we move forward, we must remain focused on our mission to share the gospel and show love to everyone. Each of us has a role to play in making our church a place where Christ's love is evident. Let us commit to being a community marked by faith, hope, and love, and let us move forward together, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Key Takeaways:
1. Faith as the Foundation: Faith in Christ is the starting point of our Christian journey. It is not based on sight but on trust in God's promises. Without faith, we cannot please God, and it is through faith that we are saved. This foundational belief should be evident in our lives and our church community. [13:07]
2. Hope in Christ: Our hope is not dependent on circumstances but on the assurance of God's promises. This hope gives us strength for today and confidence for tomorrow. It is a hope that is rooted in the resurrection of Christ and is a source of encouragement in difficult times. [16:19]
3. Love as a Mark of the Church: Love is the distinguishing feature of a Christian community. It is selfless, sacrificial, and inclusive, modeled after Christ's love for us. Our love for one another should be evident and should reflect the love of Christ to the world. [17:49]
4. The Power of the Gospel: The gospel is the truth that transforms lives. It is powerful and life-changing, capable of bearing fruit wherever it is shared. As a church, we must be committed to sharing this message with confidence and clarity, trusting in its power to change lives. [22:34]
5. Ministry of Learning and Love: The church is a place of learning, where believers are taught the gospel and grow in their understanding of God's word. It is also a place where love is felt, a love that is action-oriented and reflects the love of Christ. Our ministry should be focused on these priorities. [32:02]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:40] - Introduction to Colossians
- [04:28] - Faith and Love in Colossae
- [05:55] - Hope in Christ
- [08:03] - Epaphras: A Faithful Minister
- [10:55] - Marks of the Church
- [13:07] - Faith as the Foundation
- [14:15] - Hope in Difficult Times
- [16:19] - Assurance of Hope
- [17:49] - Love as a Mark of the Church
- [19:47] - Message of the Gospel
- [22:34] - Power of the Gospel
- [25:10] - Life-Changing Gospel
- [27:35] - God's Grace in the Gospel
- [28:22] - Ministry of Learning and Love
- [32:02] - Love in Action
- [35:13] - Moving Forward as a Church
- [37:19] - Showing Love to Everyone
- [38:14] - Commitment to Growth
- [39:21] - Conclusion and Prayer
- [41:07] - Closing Remarks
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Colossians 1:3-8
- Hebrews 11:6
- 1 Peter 1:3
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the three marks of the church mentioned in Colossians 1:3-8, and how are they described in the sermon? [10:55]
2. According to the sermon, how does Paul describe the hope that the Colossian church possesses? [05:55]
3. What role does Epaphras play in the church at Colossae, and how is he described by Paul? [08:03]
4. How does the sermon describe the power and impact of the gospel as shared by the Colossian church? [22:34]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the relationship between faith and pleasing God, as referenced in Hebrews 11:6? [13:07]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the hope of the Colossian church is similar to the hope experienced by biblical figures like Noah and Abraham? [05:55]
3. How does the sermon interpret the love shown by the Colossian church as a reflection of Christ's love, and what implications does this have for modern believers? [17:49]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of the gospel being both a message of truth and a life-changing force? [22:34]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own faith journey. How can you ensure that your faith is the foundation of your daily life, as emphasized in the sermon? [13:07]
2. The sermon highlights the hope that is not dependent on circumstances. Can you identify a current situation where you need to rely on this kind of hope? How can you remind yourself of this hope daily? [16:19]
3. Consider the love you show to others in your community. How can you model your love after the selfless and sacrificial love of Christ, as described in the sermon? [17:49]
4. The sermon discusses the power of the gospel to transform lives. How can you actively participate in sharing this message with confidence and clarity in your own community? [22:34]
5. The sermon mentions the importance of the church as a place of learning and love. How can you contribute to making your church a place where both are evident? [32:02]
6. Think about a time when you felt the love of your church community. How can you extend that same love to someone in need this week? [32:02]
7. The sermon challenges us to move forward as a church. What specific steps can you take to help your church focus on its mission to share the gospel and show love to everyone? [35:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith as the Foundation of Our Journey
Faith in Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian life, serving as the starting point for our spiritual journey. It is not based on what we can see or understand with our human senses but is rooted in trust in God's promises. This faith is essential because, without it, we cannot please God, and it is through faith that we are saved. The Colossian church exemplified this foundational belief, and it should be evident in our lives and our church community as well. As we begin this new year, let us examine the role of faith in our lives and how it shapes our actions and decisions. [13:07]
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God fully? How can you take a step of faith today to trust Him more in that area?
Day 2: Hope Anchored in Christ's Resurrection
Hope is a powerful force that sustains us through life's challenges. For the Colossian church, their hope was not dependent on their circumstances but was anchored in the assurance of God's promises, particularly the resurrection of Christ. This hope provides strength for today and confidence for tomorrow, serving as a source of encouragement in difficult times. As we reflect on the past year and look forward to 2025, let us consider how our hope in Christ can guide us through whatever lies ahead. [16:19]
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." (1 Peter 1:3, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself of the hope you have in Christ during challenging times? How can this hope influence your outlook on the future?
Day 3: Love as the Defining Mark of the Church
Love is the distinguishing feature of a true Christian community, as demonstrated by the Colossian church. This love is selfless, sacrificial, and inclusive, modeled after Christ's love for us. It is not just a feeling but an action-oriented commitment to care for others. As we strive to be a community marked by love, let us reflect on how we can embody this love in our interactions with others, both within and outside the church. [17:49]
"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs to experience Christ's love through you. What specific action can you take today to show them this love?
Day 4: The Transformative Power of the Gospel
The gospel is the truth that transforms lives, and it is powerful and life-changing. It is not merely a set of facts but a living truth that bears fruit wherever it is shared. As a church, we are called to share this message with confidence and clarity, trusting in its power to change lives. Let us reflect on how we can be more intentional in sharing the gospel with those around us, knowing that it has the power to bring about transformation. [22:34]
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16, ESV)
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can share the gospel with this week? How can you approach this conversation with confidence and clarity?
Day 5: A Ministry of Learning and Love
The church is a place of learning and love, where believers are taught the gospel and grow in their understanding of God's word. It is also a place where love is felt, a love that is action-oriented and reflects the love of Christ. Our ministry should focus on these priorities, ensuring that every believer can understand and embrace the word of God while experiencing the love of Christ in tangible ways. As we move forward as a church, let us commit to being a community where learning and love are at the forefront of our ministry. [32:02]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: How can you contribute to making your church a place where learning and love are prioritized? What specific role can you play in fostering this environment?
Quotes
"Paul wrote to the book, wrote the book of Colossians to the church at Colossae to encourage these believers in their faith because he had heard great things about them. So if you would turn in your Bibles to Colossians chapter one, we're going to start in verse number three. Verse number three says this. It says," [00:03:33] (20 seconds)
"The same hope that we have when we trust and have faith in Jesus Christ because he died on the cross for us. He gave his life for us. He lived a perfect and sinless life. He suffered and he died. He was buried and he rose. That's the kind of hope that springs up from these people. And now Paul was assuring his brothers in this church of Colossae that they too have this same hope through Jesus." [00:06:33] (25 seconds)
"He goes on to share with them that the message of Jesus is spreading and it's spreading not only there, but it's spreading everywhere that it's being shared and it's bearing forth fruit and not just fruit there, but not just fruit, not just fruit in Israel or Jerusalem, but it's spreading wherever that it's being shared. And this body of believers, they're growing in their faith, they're sharing the gospel with others and they understand that it's by God's grace that all of these things are possible. God's grace is truly powerful and truly something that no one deserves." [00:06:58] (34 seconds)
"This is where Christianity begins, having faith, having faith in Christ. And even though this is a first century church, most likely there's not a whole lot of believers in this church that had firsthand witnessed the ministry of Christ or that had seen the resurrected Christ. So they, like us, have to have faith without sight. And you cannot have, and Paul says, you cannot have love for the saints. You can't have any of these other things. If you don't first start by having faith in Jesus Christ. Faith is where everything begins." [00:11:25] (35 seconds)
"Hope is about the future. It's strength for today that is rooted in the assurance that we have for tomorrow, which is what this church was all about. You see, this church was a group of individuals who had hope. They had hope. And thank God that our hope is not based on men or possessions or circumstances, but rather our hope is based on the very foundation. The foundation of the rock of ages who says to us, I've got this. You're in my hands. He puts this in the hearts of his people." [00:16:19] (34 seconds)
"The church of Colossae was known as a people who loved the lost, who loved the broken, who loved everyone. You see, it wasn't selective. Paul was saying here that salvation causes us to love our fellow believers. And this church showed so much love for each other that Paul was convinced of their salvation because of the way that they loved one another. And here this verse, John 13, 34 and 35 says, a new command I give to you, love one another as I have loved you. You must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another." [00:17:49] (39 seconds)
"The message of hope in Christ is that what he has done for us and not what we have done for him. And when Paul talks about the message, he gives three facts about the message that are essential to our message. First, the gospel is truth. The gospel is truth. The time of Paul, the time of Paul that he was writing, this letter, there were false teachers that were infiltrating the church. And these false teachers were trying to steer people away from the church and try to lead them to the idea that Christ isn't supreme, that Christ isn't enough." [00:20:45] (36 seconds)
"The gospel was not only the truth, but the gospel was also powerful. Paul confirms this to the Colossian church in verses 5 and 6 that the gospel had come to these people and that because they were sharing the gospel, it was going all over the world. And isn't that true? Isn't this what the power of the gospel really is? It wasn't that it went everywhere, but it was that everywhere that it went, the message changed lives." [00:22:34] (27 seconds)
"But we see that the church is not focused on these types of ministries, but rather, this church, the church of Colossae, was faced on the priorities of the ministry. And we should strive to make the two priorities that this church had the same priorities that we have here at Highland Heights. And the first one was that it's supposed to be a place of learning. The first priority of this church is that it was to be a place of learning." [00:28:22] (26 seconds)
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