Fly The Kite

The congregation is invited to reclaim daily faithfulness as the venue for God's greatest work. Opening with practical campus updates and pastoral encouragement, the talk pivots to a simple but profound image: flying a kite. That image becomes a lens for spiritual formation—small, faithful actions done for God's glory can open pathways for far larger blessings. Historical example and exegesis combine to show that perseverance in ordinary tasks, when aligned with God’s will, can accomplish extraordinary outcomes beyond human expectation.

Scriptural instruction centers on Colossians 3, urging believers to set hearts and minds on things above, to understand that identity in Christ changes how life is lived, and to put to death the habits and attitudes that belong to the former self. There is a stark call to abandon sexual immorality, greed, anger, gossip, and crude speech, not as abstract moralism but as necessary pruning to prevent spiritual rot. Language and everyday behavior are treated as theological battlegrounds: words and ordinary tasks either build up the body of Christ or reveal a divided allegiance.

Unity and mutual submission within the household of faith receive careful attention. The apostolic household codes (wives, husbands, children, servants) are unpacked as practical applications of the gospel—mutual love, humility, and service that mirror Christ’s sacrifice. Work and duty are reframed: whatever is done, whether trivial or significant, must be performed “as for the Lord,” transforming labor into worship and ordinary moments into missionary opportunity.

The closing summons is precise and hope-filled: choose today to live as a new creation, allow the Spirit to rule the tongue and actions, and do simple things with extraordinary devotion. Small acts, repeated with gospel-shaped intention, form a life whose ladder leans against God’s wall. The promise is not merely improvement of behavior but participation in God’s redemptive work—often accomplished through the faithful, mundane obedience of ordinary people.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Live for God’s plan daily Believers are called to evaluate ambitions and orient each day toward the purpose God has designed. This is not a one-time decision but a continual re-locating of priorities—choosing divine purposes over cultural validation in daily choices. A life shaped this way resists the exhaustion of worldly striving and opens space for God’s handiwork to appear. [27:08]
• 2. Faithfulness in small acts matters Small, faithful actions—like a kite string pulled across a river—become instruments for large, unexpected outcomes when offered to God. Persistence in lowly tasks can create openings others cannot imagine because God uses ordinary means to accomplish extraordinary ends. The account of a youth flying a kite across the Niagara illustrates how humility and grit serve greater design. [33:05]
• 3. Put earthly habits to death Holiness involves decisive removal of patterns that corrupt heart and community—sexual sin, greed, slander, rage, and coarse speech are listed not for shame but for life. Left unaddressed, these sins rot relationships and block a Spirit-empowered witness; they must be actively cut away. True repentance is both renunciation and replacement: the new self must be clothed in Christlike virtues. [47:37]
• 4. Do everything for the Lord Reframing work and speech as service to Christ converts routine tasks into acts of worship and evangelism. Whether at home, work, or church, performing duties “as for the Lord” shifts motive from human praise to divine fidelity, changing posture and outcome. Such a lens unifies vocation and spirituality and makes every moment an opportunity to honor God. [59:56]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [07:00] - Announcements & Registration
• [10:36] - Property Grant Update
• [12:13] - Opening Prayer
• [22:31] - Intros and Humble Fellowship
• [23:19] - Wednesday Worldview Invitation
• [25:27] - Colossians Intro & Kite Question
• [33:05] - Holman Walsh: Kite Across the River
• [35:33] - Faithfulness in Little Things
• [42:21] - Exposition: Set Minds on Heaven
• [47:37] - Put Sin to Death (Practical)
• [59:56] - Do All Things in Jesus' Name
• [60:26] - Household Instructions (Home Start)
• [68:33] - Closing Prayer and Charge

Here is a Bible study guide based on the sermon summary and transcript:

Bible Reading

Colossians 3:1-17 (ESV)

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
6 And in these things the wrath of God is coming.
7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once followed.
8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in the knowledge in the image of its creator.
11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since the body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell among you richly, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and songs of the Spirit, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Observation questions

1. The sermon uses the image of flying a kite to illustrate how small, faithful actions can lead to great things. What was the historical example used to demonstrate this principle? [33:05]
2. Paul instructs believers to "put to death" certain earthly habits. What specific sins are mentioned in Colossians 3:5-9 that are to be put away?
3. The sermon emphasizes that our identity in Christ changes how we live. According to Colossians 3:9-10, what does it mean to "put on the new self"?
4. The passage in Colossians 3:17 states, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus." How does the sermon suggest this principle transforms ordinary tasks? [59:56]

Interpretation questions

1. The sermon highlights that "small, faithful actions—like a kite string pulled across a river—become instruments for large, unexpected outcomes when offered to God." [33:05] How does the story of Holman Walsh illustrate this idea of faithfulness in small things leading to extraordinary results?
2. Paul lists several negative behaviors to "put to death" and then lists positive virtues to "clothe yourselves with." [47:37] [57:42] What is the relationship between actively putting off sin and actively putting on Christlike virtues?
3. The sermon suggests that "language and everyday behavior are treated as theological battlegrounds." [52:21] How does the instruction to "do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Colossians 3:17) serve as a guiding principle for navigating these "battlegrounds"?
4. The sermon mentions that "God has uniquely designed every single one of us for his purpose." [37:20] How does the idea of being "God's handiwork" (Ephesians 2:10, alluded to in the sermon) connect with the call to live out our new identity in Christ?

Application questions

1. The sermon encourages us to "live for God’s plan daily" by evaluating our ambitions and orienting each day toward God's purpose. [27:08] What is one specific, small step you can take *today* to re-orient your priorities toward God's purposes rather than worldly validation?
2. We are called to "put to death" habits that corrupt our hearts and communities. [47:37] What is one specific "earthly habit" that you need to actively put to death this week, and what is one "new self" virtue you will intentionally put on in its place?
3. The sermon challenges us to "do everything for the Lord," reframing work and speech as service to Christ. [59:56] Think about your daily routine. What is one ordinary task or conversation you can approach this week with the intention of doing it "as for the Lord," transforming it into an act of worship or witness?
4. The sermon emphasizes that "faithfulness in small acts matters." [33:05] What is a "small act" of faithfulness that God might be calling you to consistently practice this week, even if it seems insignificant?
5. Colossians 3:12 calls us to "clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." [57:42] In what specific relationship or situation this week can you intentionally practice one of these virtues, especially if there's a grievance or difficulty?
6. The sermon reminds us that "whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus." [59:20] How can you consciously bring the name of Jesus into your actions and words today, even in mundane tasks or conversations?
7. The sermon concludes with the idea of flying the kite today, meaning to live out God's divine purpose. [40:10] What is one tangible way you can "fly your kite" today, living out your purpose in Christ, even if it feels like a small step?