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!