Message

Colossians: Set your hearts on things above: Relationship Matters
Colossians 3:18-4:1  

Paying attention to context. There was a catchy phrase I heard over and over in seminary that continues to echo through my life to the present.  A text without a context is a pretext for trouble.  From my Greek and Hebrew professors, to my New Testament and Old Testament studies, Reformed Worldview and Pastoral Care/Counseling classes, study of the creeds and confessions, any number of various preaching courses (exegetical and otherwise),they all held this phrase in common when approaching God’s Word.  

The instruction always was ‘study, meditate, and proclaim the Word of God with care to context.’  Why is this so important?  Because to use scripture out of context can lead to serious misunderstanding, misinterpretation, mischief, misrepresentation, missing the mark, and in the end missing the main message, leading to a mess.  This sentence of ‘misses’ is my own. And I speak it from an understanding of being on the receiving end, as well as the giving end, of using Scripture poorly.  And when this happens, it can hurt.

A text without a context is a pretext for trouble.

Let’s consider Colossians, our book of the Bible for our messages we are currently in.  When I approach Scripture, I like to see a particular text in its context in five different ways, each is important and gives layers of depth and insight to the writers inspired truth (understanding both human and divine authorship – ‘organic inspiration’): 
1) the immediate context within the paragraph/pericope of study (Colossians 3:18-4:1)  
2) the context of the particular teaching within the book/letter as a whole, expanding the texts understanding in relationship to the main message(s) of the entire book/letter, (The Book of Colossians)
3) the context of the pericope in relationship to other corresponding teachings of the Bible.  For example, are there other passages in Scripture that speak to the text of focus through other letters (Ephesians), or wisdom literature (Proverbs), or Narrative story (Esther perhaps).  
4) Then I ask a question: How does this particular text relate or communicate God’s message in the grand story of the Bible (support, echo, illuminate)?  Take the grand theme of ‘God’s redemption, reconciliation, and renewal of all things’ for a broad example.  How does a text of instruction on how we ought to live in our relationships with one another relate to God’s grand story of redemption? 
5) And finally, but not last in the journey of seeking out context – always, always, always seek out the context in which the scripture was given and spoken: the cultural and historical context of when the Word was written and who it was written to.  To understand better the message for them, and for them then, we can better understand God’s message for us now.

Yes, there is more to any study of God’s word: grammar study, original languages, theological impact, literary considerations, and yes, Holy Spirit direction.  Sounds like a lot, because it is.  And of course, there is good merit to simple plain readings of the text keeping in mind, “God so loved the world, he gave his only Son!”  And this brings me to a final thought.  Scripture is always and forever making Christ known – all of it.  And our approach to God’s Word requires a seeking of truth in humility and grace, keeping Christ at the center – seeking and looking for Him, and then following.    

Scripture is always and forever making Christ known – all of it. 

And then for any message giver, comes the daunting task of packaging a message from God’s word in 25-35 minutes, that can communicate to a broad audience, each hearer with different life experiences, different worldviews, a variety of convictions, biases and beliefs, different expectations and heart postures, varying views of God and his character, different ways that people learn (visual and auditory), in the midst of a broader critical and skeptical culture, with the expectation God’s truth will shape, influence, and change our lives for the better… that sounds challenging!  As a kid, I never thought about any of this when someone would bring a message from God’s word.  Nor did I have any idea what a full-time preaching pastor was ‘producing.’   Not just once or twice a year, but 45-50 times a year bringing a message from God’s word.  And to think, a few years back at my previous church, this number was more like 90-100… (morning and evening Sunday worship services, each with a message).  

Thanks for reading my rambling words if you were able to read this far into the ‘text’… Just attempting to give context, about preaching texts in context.  🙂  I love God’s word… and I love to study and proclaim it.  But as someone told me in the past, another pastor of course, because only other pastors truly know this, “Sunday’s come around with amazing regularity.”  And for that, I’m not resentful, I’m grateful.  I’m thankful for grace – given for each of us in the love of God the Father, the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the powerful presence and working of the Holy Spirit.  May it be Jesus who we expect to meet each and every Sunday – not even the preacher, but Jesus.         

See you Sunday, as we take a look at Colossians 3:18-4:1, 
     Pastor Mark    

Message

Colossians: Freedom from Human Rules
Colossians 2:16-23  

The writer of Colossians is going to give us snapshots into what living a life in Jesus looks like.  It can be summarized by his words ‘Set your hearts and minds on things above.” And then goes into some detail about ‘spiritual fullness in Christ’, ‘being free from human rules’, ‘living as those made alive in Christ’, and ‘implications for relationships.’  

Sunday we take a closer look at Paul’s teaching about ‘being free from human rules.’  Are you into superstitions or engage in the practice of regular traditions?  Are you a rule keeper?  Or are you more of a rule breaker? 

When it comes to being alive in Christ, how do we discern the value, need, or detriment of rules and traditions?  Well it all depends on your posture.  

At the plate for Sunday: Freedom from Human Rules (Colossians 2:16-3:2.)  On deck for 6/4: Implications for Christian Households and Relationships (Colossians 3:18-4:1).  In the hole for 6/11: Living as Those Made Alive in Christ (Colossians 3:1-17)

Walk humbly with God and see you Sunday,
     Pastor Mark  

Message

Colossians: Spiritual Fullness in Christ
Colossians 2:6-15 

God’s word proclaimed… God’s will revealed… a gathering around the Table of our Lord (communion), a fellowship meal of food and friendship, a giving of thanks of graduates’ achievements, the revelation of Jesus as the ‘real deal’… all that on a Sunday morning?  Gotta be there! 

In a conversation with someone this week, I shared how wonderful it has been for me to preach through a book of the Bible.  Colossians is gaining momentum for me as the letter develops in thought and flow.  The author continues to reveal the marvelous wonder of Jesus and the love of God for the world and its people. 

In conversations with several other people this week, it was clear that there are many other worldviews competing for the thoughts and hearts of people than that of God’s revelation in Jesus.  I heard and witnessed everything from wandering disillusionment to deep despair.  It seemed to me to be a deep yearning for truth, a grasping desperation for love, a profound searching for hope and meaning.  And the message of Colossians comes alive for me.    

Paul, out of deep love and concern for people, birthed out of God’s profound love for him in Jesus, puts up a huge stop sign for us, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental forces of this world rather than on Christ.”  And then doesn’t stop there, but goes on to reveal what should captivate our minds, hearts, and ultimately our will – Jesus!  

We’ve dabbled in the context of the audience of Paul’s letter by taking a look at some hollow and deceptive philosophies’ back then (syncretism/relativism) and find they are alive and well today.  Yet, next to Jesus, there is no equal, none compares.  Sunday, we will take a look at another ‘hollow and deceptive philosophy’ of that time in gnosticism.  And Paul, will once again, point us to Jesus, who is the real deal.  

This past week with all the rain and saturated soil, as canyon crevices and mountain aquifers filled up, Skunk Creek behind the house flowed with volume, speed, and power.  In the process, the riff-raff from the banks of garbage and dead branches that accumulated were picked up and carried downstream.  Right behind the Madison House, a dam formed, and quickly grew as garbage and dead branches clogged the river’s flow, backing up the water, leading to flood conditions. 

In our lives, garbage collects over time in the corners of our hearts and minds, ‘hollow and deceptive philosophies’ lead us to dead places, leaving lots of dead branches to trip over.  And when life gets tough, the rains come down and the waters rise, the garbage and dead branches get swept up, and collect in a tangled mess, and we feel like we are drowning.  As the free flowing water in living life well is stopped up.  This is where Jesus makes all the difference.  He can remove the garbage of our lives.  He can transform the dead ends of our lives with its dead branches into life again.  In Jesus, the free flowing, life giving water of the Spirit can move unimpeded in and through us.  

Check it out, gnosticism.  Look it up, try to understand it.  It has many different shapes and forms leading to different belief systems and branches of thought, leading to different behavior practices and life choices. Gnosticism was alive and well then… is alive and well now.  And Paul once again will point us to the real deal – Jesus.  

For Sunday, Colossians 2:6-15.  See you at the party to end the weekend or begin the week, however you look at it, seems it would be both,  

Pastor Mark      

Message

The Supremacy of the Son of God
Colossians 1:1-23 

The City of Colossae, located in what would be today modern day Turkey, is little known, buried under the rubble of an earthquake in 60AD and years of history and shifting sands.  Yet we have a letter from Paul, written from prison, to this fledgling community of believers shortly before this devastating earthquake occurred.  

What exactly was going on in this early faith community?  What does Paul have to say to them in their following of Jesus in the midst of the culture they are living in?  The letter reveals many clues through its passionate content, encouragement and instruction.  

Looking forward to this journey of the Colossian letter in Scripture.  Does this letter have any relevance for today?  You bet it does!  Packed from opening greeting to final sendoff, Colossians will give us much to reflect and act on.  

Sunday we will tackle the first 23 verses of chapter one.  Read it for Sunday prep and come anticipating to hear the Spirit speak.  What is Paul thankful for in this community of faith?  What is he asking God to do and work among them?  How important is Jesus to faith and community life?  

The church of Colossae was being bombarded by different philosophies, false teachers, and tempted to synchronize different beliefs into the Gospel.  The Colossian church struggled with what has been termed the ‘Colossian heresy.’  Do you know what this heresy is?  One thing for sure, Paul wastes no time in highlighting the supremacy of Jesus in Colossians.  Maybe the heresy has something to do with Paul’s emphasis in the opening chapter of the Supremacy of Christ.  What can be added to Jesus?  What needs to be added to Jesus?  Nothing… Yet, it is our tendency to seek for more outside of Jesus.  It’s not necessary, nor warranted, nor prudent.  Can’t wait to walk through this letter with you for the next 7 weeks.  

Grace and Peace to you in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior,
   Pastor Mark

See you Sunday!    

Message

Designed to Worship – Playing God’s Instrument for God’s Glory
Colossians 3:16

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

Did you know that the word SING appears in the scriptures over 400 times and at least 50 of these are commands?
 
Some of us delight at the opportunity to sing, and some of us clam up, usually because of fear (which, by the way, is not from the Lord!). Singing can be a very vulnerable act as the instrument we play is our own bodies, and some may feel that their instrument is inferior to others.  But our focus in singing worship to God is meant to be on God and his wondrous works, on Christ and his worthiness as the Lamb of God, not on what others are thinking (doesn’t that usually get us into trouble anyway?).
 
I’ve had the privilege and pleasure of teaching voice for over 30 years now, and I know a lot about the hang-ups singers can have, but I’ve also had the great delight of helping my students free up the instrument that God has created in them to give him both the glory He deserves and the spiritual communion we can experience with Him and with others when we obey his command to sing. 
 
So! This Sunday I will be talking a lot about how God designed us to worship Him, including the physics of sound, and the joy we can have both physically and spiritually when we give the Lord our living sacrifice of praise.
 
Sydney Yapoujian

Message

Where We’ve Been and Where We Are Going: A Wrap Up (God’s Will/Our Will) and A New Beginning (Intro to Colossians)

Acts 1:8, Ph 2:6, 1 Tim 2:7, Colossians Intro

A 7 month journey of unpacking sabbatical learnings will be completed this coming Sunday: The Integration of God’s Will and Our Will: On Mission – WITNESS.  We will also make a brief intro into where we are going next: The Colossians Letter.  

Take a look at the definition of witness.  Then look at the definition of herald and apostle.  Why stop there – what does the word testimony mean?  How do any of these concepts have to do with us? EVERYTHING!  

Life in Christ is all about witness.  Our everyday living heralds him.  We apostolically live into the proclamation of the Good News (Gospel) in any way that gives evidence to God’s great love and salvation (testimony) – word, deed, character… ALL of LIFE.  

Beginning Sunday we close one message series and begin another.  As this year flows into 2024, we will walk in God’s word beginning with the Colossians Letter (Spring – a Word from God in the form of a letter, through Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the early church believers), moving on to the Esther Narrative (Summer – a story of God’s people in exile, who are called by God ‘for such a time as this’ to follow Him), and rounding it out with a lengthier series walking through The Book of John (Fall and Winter – some call it a Gospel – the good news of the life and teachings of Jesus, our Lord and Savior). 
       
See some of you Sunday, and some of you will be worshipping at our Women’s Retreat this weekend, 
    Pastor Mark

Message

Easter: Resurrection Changes Everything!

Luke 7:36-50; John 4:1-26, 39-42; and Luke 8:1-3

Friends and Family of Faith in Jesus Christ!

It’s Easter 2023!  We respond to the God of all love and redemption with profound gratitude for everything he has accomplished through Jesus Christ.  I’m looking forward to Sunday singing and message giving.  Bring your family to Sunday worship.  Invite your friends and neighbors.  The resurrection is good news!  

I read much this week about resurrection – Scriptures, theologian perspectives, articles and blogs – and here is what hit me with the greatest impact: Jesus’ resurrection is an amazing historical event with far reaching implications – – but where resurrection gets exciting is when resurrection brings about reversal!  

What has Jesus’ resurrection and the power of the resurrection done for you?  How has ‘the state of having risen’ manifested in your heart and life?

I’m going with CS Lewis on this and will further expound on it Sunday, “When modern writers talk of the Resurrection they usually mean one particular moment (an event in time) – the discovery of an empty tomb and the appearance of Jesus a few yards away from it, alive and resurrected… the actual resurrection of Jesus to which they witnessed is critical, but it’s more about the state of having risen!” 
    
This true statement by CS Lewis unlocks the door to an amazing, adventurous life of fun, freedom, joy, and victory!  Be ready to rejoice!  Be ready to give voice to this: What has Jesus’ resurrection and the power of the resurrection done for you?  How has ‘the state of having risen’ manifested in your heart and life?  

As for me, “I believe in the resurrection!” Texts of focus for Sunday: Philippians 3, Isaiah 61, Jeremiah 31, Colossians 3, and the stories of Jesus anointing, generosity of widows, Zacchaeus, and a Samaritan Woman.  The evidence for resurrection being more about the state of having risen are everywhere!

Tomorrow, Friday, the sanctuary will be open for some quiet space and time of prayer through the journey of Jesus’ passion (71m-7pm) – you are invited to come.  Park in the alley between the church and Madison House and the side door to the sanctuary will be open for you.  Just follow the guide – the space is prepared for you.

Good Friday is here and Sunday is a comin’,

Pastor Mark

Message

God’s Will/My Will: From Diminishing to Flourishing – Community – Am I engaged in Christian Community? Intentional Engagement

1 Cor 12:12-31, Mt 12:46-50

The Lent season has led us to Palm Sunday, where the life of God’s own Son takes center stage, at the center of history, to fulfill God’s central mission of redemption.  This week’s drama (of Palm Sunday, our Wednesday Seder Service celebrating Passover, Good Friday Stations of the Cross, and Easter Celebration) is the core of God’s redemptive design for His world.  It isn’t some unrelated story to you or me, it is THE story for you and me and for the entire world.  

The fulfillment of God’s covenant promises, from of old, come together during passion week as Jesus willingly accepts the necessity of dying on a cross, bearing the penalty and curse of our sin.  The salvation achieved for us in Jesus death is deeply profound and mysterious – yet, sure, grounded in historical reality.      

“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” 

The irony of Palm Sunday couldn’t be more evident for us as students of the Word – Jesus, as the Lord and King of our lives, becomes this by way of self-sacrifice.  On what we know as Palm Sunday, Jesus and his disciples are in Jerusalem, making the yearly pilgrimage to the Passover feast.  And as Jesus has been predicting his death, the necessity of his crucifixion, the disciples are in denial… certainly naïve to what the Son of God/Son of Man is about to remain faithful and obedient to… as they cross the Kidron Valley, where the blood of slain lambs flows through the valley floor, the people are aware of the life of one to cover another, steeped in an Exodus out of slavery long ago, to cover a couple, a family, a household… redemption.  

Passion Week is filled with real historical drama.  As the people wave palm branches, the sign of royalty – and as Jesus’ rides on a donkey to a procession worthy of the kings of old, as people spread out their cloaks on the ground before him, they shout, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”  You have to wonder what is in Jesus’ heart and mind, in his eyes as he sees the rejoicing throngs.  As his disciples join in the throng, he is being proclaimed King!  And in only a few days… Jesus will wash their feet as the Master of all serves his disciples, shows them the full extent of his love, continuing to encourage them to follow him.  And as they sit down and share the Passover meal, he directly says the meal is really about him and his once and for all soon coming crucifixion.  

Later that night, he will be taken away by mob force, betrayed by one of his own, denied by his chief disciple – claiming no association with this Jesus…  highly dramatic, grounded in history.  And Jesus’ life, his blood, is truly shed (given) on our behalf.    

And so it is, that at the center of Scripture, at the center of history, of God’s story of redemption is Jesus – who faithfully, willingly, obediently, by way of a Holy Spirit conception, a virgin birth, a faithful obedient life, an exercising of authority over illness, over the demonic, over the creation, becomes a substitutionary, once for all, shedding of another’s blood, a perfect sacrifice, leading to a complete forgiveness of sin, the eradication of guilt and shame… concluded with an exclamation point – a resurrection from the dead, a victory over sin, death, and hell!  Easter morning is coming soon!  

See you Sunday for a Palm Sunday celebration as we enter into God’s story of redemption, 

Pastor Mark