Agony in the Garden

Contending For Renewal

I hope you are staying cool during these warm days. The heat and heavy circumstances can quickly sap us of energy and spirit. But there is refreshing hope from Jesus! We were reminded last week of our place in the grand cosmic story of God, as those once alienated, now reconciled, with a glorious destiny: presented holy, blameless, and irreproachable before God (Col 1:21-23 [https://us.list-manage.com/5NVyFaWj3ml?e=d809b29a61&c2id=8be2d478bcc1e75805be66756cf6e291]). Of this gospel Paul dedicated his service and contended for continual growth and maturity in the faith.   In the next passage in Colossians (1:24-2:5 [https://us.list-manage.com/SDwekzVfcq2?e=d809b29a61&c2id=8be2d478bcc1e75805be66756cf6e291]), Paul expounds on this motivation of his ministry. Cece Gough, in her role as Executive Director, and experience as disciple and disciple-maker and coordinator of small group ministries at FCCH will open this Scripture for us.

Steadfast in Renewal

It was such a delight last week to gather for our first summer worship service of the year, all together in Heritage Hall. (Not to mention the fantastic burger I enjoyed at the picnic afterwards!) Glenn gave us a spectacular vision of the cosmic preeminence of Jesus Christ. As we pray for refreshing and recentering of our hearts, Jesus is the center of it all. But maybe you feel a little lost in that picture. As we take in the grand happenings of our own time, of history, and of the world, we might feel displaced and disorientated. How do we fit in the cosmic drama? This week, we’ll look closely at Colossians 1:21-23 [https://us.list-manage.com/1BwAlCQhh8F?e=d809b29a61&c2id=8be2d478bcc1e75805be66756cf6e291], as Paul moves from third-person to second-person, addressing the Colossian Church and situating their story within the cosmic story of Christ. We’ll answer the questions “Who are we? What has Christ done for us? What is our destiny? What part do we play?” May the Lord Jesus encourage and strengthen your hearts.

The Preeminence of Christ

Colossians 1:15-20 [https://us.list-manage.com/ai5wp2WiMIl?e=d809b29a61&c2id=8be2d478bcc1e75805be66756cf6e291]displays the multifaceted preeminence of Christ, but in a manner often foreign to our way of thinking. Careful attention to the text helps us to understand Christ's humility and glory in a foundational manner for salvation and Christian life. Dr. Glenn Butner

A Picture of Renewal

Colossians is a wonderful letter towards this end, as Paul encourages the church there not to be swayed by wayward philosophies (more on these later!), but to be fixated on Christ and his supremacy and sufficiency in all things. I’ve been praying for this to be a summer of spiritual renewal. This is my prayer for you this summer and a picture for us of what this renewal might look like, inspired by Paul’s introductory remarks (Colossians 1:1-14); that you will be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding - so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: - bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; - being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, - for all endurance and patience with joy; - giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light!

The Hope of the Resurrection

This week we will be concluding our series on "God's Welcome" in the Gospel of Luke. We will spend time in Luke 24 [https://us.list-manage.com/lzWIn2eJ2Hp?e=0db84cb4ea&c2id=28422a55a25bb502f64eb3e50e291047] which tells of the resurrection of Christ. We will look at the evidences of the resurrection and how this brings hope to our lives today!