WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.899 Welcome to Ontario Community Church, 00:00:02.899 --> 00:00:04.799 where we're dedicated to encouraging, 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:07.799 equipping, and engaging lives for Christ. 00:00:07.799 --> 00:00:09.339 Located in Ontario, 00:00:09.339 --> 00:00:11.279 Oregon, Pastor Patrick Daly 00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:13.800 preaches insightful sermons from the Word of God, 00:00:13.800 --> 00:00:16.760 offering practical applications for modern living. 00:00:16.760 --> 00:00:19.640 We're delighted to share this sermon with you. 00:00:19.640 --> 00:00:21.420 All right. Well, good morning, 00:00:21.420 --> 00:00:23.000 Ontario Community Church. 00:00:23.000 --> 00:00:26.280 It is great to be with you this morning as we are 00:00:26.280 --> 00:00:31.280 continuing our sermon series on the Book of Colossians. 00:00:31.480 --> 00:00:34.960 You know, we began this series by emphasizing 00:00:34.960 --> 00:00:38.120 the public reading of Scripture. 00:00:38.120 --> 00:00:41.439 And it's a great time for us to read Scripture together 00:00:41.439 --> 00:00:44.719 as the Church, as the body of Christ. 00:00:44.719 --> 00:00:48.439 And this last week, we read about how the apostle Paul 00:00:48.439 --> 00:00:53.000 is grateful for the Colossians, the Church at Colossi. 00:00:53.000 --> 00:00:57.159 Paul talked about how this Church was faithful to the Lord 00:00:57.159 --> 00:01:00.280 and the love that they exhibited, 00:01:00.280 --> 00:01:04.159 this love of Christ they shared with other believers 00:01:04.159 --> 00:01:05.439 and with others. 00:01:05.439 --> 00:01:08.519 And what a remarkable reminder for us 00:01:08.519 --> 00:01:10.620 to be faithful to the Lord 00:01:10.620 --> 00:01:14.560 and to exhibit the love of Christ to others. 00:01:14.560 --> 00:01:16.359 We discovered that, you know, 00:01:16.359 --> 00:01:21.060 there is an encouragement for us as Christians to remain, 00:01:21.060 --> 00:01:25.900 to remain having Jesus as the foundation for our life. 00:01:25.900 --> 00:01:28.519 Let us be encouraged to share in the love of Christ 00:01:28.519 --> 00:01:29.400 with others. 00:01:29.400 --> 00:01:31.760 And that leads us to today, 00:01:31.760 --> 00:01:34.600 where we are going to have this sermon on 00:01:34.600 --> 00:01:38.240 from darkness to light, the gift of salvation, 00:01:38.240 --> 00:01:40.439 which is based off of Colossians, 00:01:40.439 --> 00:01:44.680 chapter one, verses 13 through 23. 00:01:44.680 --> 00:01:47.159 You'll find that there are many connections 00:01:47.159 --> 00:01:50.379 with these verses as these are theologically deep. 00:01:50.379 --> 00:01:54.759 You'll find in your notes, it's a two pager and my goodness, 00:01:54.759 --> 00:01:57.239 there's a lot on here and that's okay. 00:01:57.239 --> 00:02:00.000 We're going over 10 different verses 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:03.159 and there's so many connections that we find 00:02:03.159 --> 00:02:05.359 in the word of God. 00:02:05.359 --> 00:02:07.239 You'll find that there's a chart in the back 00:02:07.239 --> 00:02:10.120 that we will go towards the end that'll break down 00:02:10.120 --> 00:02:13.800 the main verses in our message today. 00:02:13.800 --> 00:02:16.560 We will learn that these verses, 00:02:16.560 --> 00:02:19.479 you know, there's a time where we have our life 00:02:19.479 --> 00:02:24.199 before Christ and then we come to know the Lord. 00:02:24.199 --> 00:02:26.159 We are transformed, right? 00:02:26.159 --> 00:02:28.239 By the renewal of our mind, 00:02:28.239 --> 00:02:30.479 having God transform our heart 00:02:30.479 --> 00:02:32.919 in the very essence of who we are. 00:02:32.919 --> 00:02:37.719 And because of this transformation, we live for him. 00:02:37.719 --> 00:02:40.039 And before we go any further though, 00:02:40.039 --> 00:02:43.120 I would like for us to open in a word of prayer 00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:46.879 and let's ask God to be present with us today. 00:02:46.879 --> 00:02:51.039 Let us offer our time together for him and for his glory. 00:02:51.039 --> 00:02:52.639 Will you pray with me? 00:02:52.639 --> 00:02:54.479 Let's pray together. 00:02:54.479 --> 00:02:58.240 And gracious Father, we thank you for bringing us here 00:02:58.240 --> 00:03:02.680 together as we continue this verse by verse line by line 00:03:02.680 --> 00:03:05.159 series on the book of Colossians. 00:03:05.159 --> 00:03:07.439 We ask that you are here with us 00:03:07.439 --> 00:03:10.340 and we're reminded of that verse where two or three 00:03:10.340 --> 00:03:14.120 are gathered in your name, there you are with us. 00:03:14.120 --> 00:03:18.599 We ask that you reveal the truth of your word to us. 00:03:18.599 --> 00:03:22.159 Soften our hearts, change our minds 00:03:22.159 --> 00:03:25.759 to come to know you and to grow in you. 00:03:25.759 --> 00:03:28.360 We offer our time, may we offer our burdens 00:03:28.360 --> 00:03:31.480 and our cares to you this morning. 00:03:31.480 --> 00:03:34.640 For you God are a loving God. 00:03:34.640 --> 00:03:38.159 You sent your son Jesus Christ to change the course 00:03:38.159 --> 00:03:43.080 of history by providing salvation through faith. 00:03:43.080 --> 00:03:48.760 It is in this salvation that we are secured in you. 00:03:48.760 --> 00:03:52.320 Help us to learn that it is so important that by you 00:03:52.320 --> 00:03:57.120 sending your son Jesus Christ, you paved the way for salvation 00:03:57.120 --> 00:04:02.360 and you brought us from darkness into your marvelous light. 00:04:02.360 --> 00:04:06.360 May we come to know you, be transformed by you. 00:04:06.360 --> 00:04:10.400 And because of all this, may we live for you. 00:04:10.400 --> 00:04:14.719 It is in Jesus, mighty, loving, and powerful name 00:04:14.719 --> 00:04:17.560 that we pray and we all say together amen. 00:04:17.560 --> 00:04:18.399 Amen. 00:04:18.399 --> 00:04:23.560 So we're gonna start off by verse 13 here. 00:04:23.560 --> 00:04:25.800 It's gonna be placed on your screen. 00:04:25.800 --> 00:04:30.840 The apostle Paul is discussing how he has delivered us, 00:04:30.840 --> 00:04:33.519 how he's delivered the Colossians from the domain 00:04:33.519 --> 00:04:38.280 of darkness into the kingdom of his son, Jesus Christ. 00:04:38.280 --> 00:04:40.360 That's what we find in this verse. 00:04:40.360 --> 00:04:43.319 And Paul, he reminds the church at Colossi 00:04:43.319 --> 00:04:47.439 that we were once in this domain of darkness, right? 00:04:47.439 --> 00:04:53.439 Slaves to sin and held captive by the power of the evil one. 00:04:53.480 --> 00:04:56.000 It is in believing in Jesus that we are saved 00:04:56.000 --> 00:04:59.360 by grace through faith and there is this transfer 00:04:59.360 --> 00:05:03.520 that happens from darkness into light. 00:05:03.520 --> 00:05:07.400 It is in Jesus Christ who is the way he is the truth 00:05:07.400 --> 00:05:09.520 and he is the life. 00:05:09.519 --> 00:05:11.399 We are even called by God. 00:05:11.399 --> 00:05:14.039 We are given an invitation to come 00:05:14.039 --> 00:05:15.599 into his marvelous light. 00:05:15.599 --> 00:05:18.680 Have you heard his call for your life? 00:05:18.680 --> 00:05:21.319 Have you heard God's call to come out 00:05:21.319 --> 00:05:23.519 of the darkness into the light? 00:05:23.519 --> 00:05:26.839 It should be noted that the Greek word for domain 00:05:26.839 --> 00:05:29.839 suggests that there is a choice to be made 00:05:29.839 --> 00:05:32.120 that is involved for each person. 00:05:32.120 --> 00:05:35.359 And this choice is to choose whether or not 00:05:35.359 --> 00:05:39.159 you're going to remain in this domain of darkness 00:05:39.160 --> 00:05:43.120 or to leave and go into the kingdom of Christ 00:05:43.120 --> 00:05:45.720 or the kingdom of light. 00:05:45.720 --> 00:05:48.439 All of this choice was made possible 00:05:48.439 --> 00:05:52.080 by Christ's sacrifice on the cross. 00:05:52.080 --> 00:05:53.560 And you have to think for yourself, 00:05:53.560 --> 00:05:56.760 are you in the domain of darkness? 00:05:56.760 --> 00:06:00.080 You can get out of this domain by believing in the Lord 00:06:00.080 --> 00:06:03.080 and being transferred into eternal salvation. 00:06:03.080 --> 00:06:06.640 And this leads us to the next verse, verse 14, 00:06:06.639 --> 00:06:10.039 in Christ, in whom we have redemption, 00:06:10.039 --> 00:06:12.199 the forgiveness of sin. 00:06:12.199 --> 00:06:15.199 In Christ there is redemption and forgiveness, 00:06:15.199 --> 00:06:17.159 lots of reference verses here. 00:06:17.159 --> 00:06:20.319 Christ died on the cross and he reconciled us, 00:06:20.319 --> 00:06:23.719 which means he made the exchange for us. 00:06:23.719 --> 00:06:27.079 You see, none of us have the ability to choose 00:06:27.079 --> 00:06:30.539 to get out of this domain of darkness without the sacrifice 00:06:30.539 --> 00:06:33.639 that was done by Jesus Christ on the cross. 00:06:33.639 --> 00:06:37.199 This redemption allows for us to choose salvation 00:06:37.199 --> 00:06:40.919 and in turn be transferred to the kingdom of Christ. 00:06:40.919 --> 00:06:44.360 So this verse, verse 14 says that in Christ 00:06:44.360 --> 00:06:46.680 there is the great exchange that occurred. 00:06:46.680 --> 00:06:49.839 It speaks of the forgiveness of sins. 00:06:49.839 --> 00:06:53.839 And it is vital that we recognize that we are redeemed 00:06:53.839 --> 00:06:57.039 by the blood that was shed. 00:06:57.039 --> 00:07:01.079 And it is all because of the riches of God's grace. 00:07:01.079 --> 00:07:03.439 Because God loved us so much 00:07:03.439 --> 00:07:05.879 that he sent his only son, 00:07:05.879 --> 00:07:09.120 that whosoever believes shall not perish, 00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:11.040 but have eternal life. 00:07:12.040 --> 00:07:14.279 It is because of Christ's sacrifice 00:07:14.279 --> 00:07:18.399 that our sins are forgiven, one and done. 00:07:18.399 --> 00:07:21.199 This leads us to the next verse, verse 15, right? 00:07:21.199 --> 00:07:24.920 He Christ is the image of the invisible God, 00:07:24.920 --> 00:07:26.680 the firstborn of all creation. 00:07:26.680 --> 00:07:30.240 In other words, Christ is divine here. 00:07:30.240 --> 00:07:32.920 It talks about how Jesus is the image, right? 00:07:32.920 --> 00:07:34.480 Of the invisible God. 00:07:34.480 --> 00:07:37.240 This image is a representation. 00:07:37.240 --> 00:07:40.360 It is the essence of who God is. 00:07:40.360 --> 00:07:42.319 And when you read on here, right? 00:07:42.319 --> 00:07:46.680 It says, okay, Jesus is the image of the invisible God. 00:07:46.680 --> 00:07:49.000 The firstborn of all creation comes up. 00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:50.560 And we read that. 00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:53.560 There can be a sense of confusion here. 00:07:53.560 --> 00:07:56.480 What do you mean Christ was the firstborn of all creation? 00:07:56.480 --> 00:07:59.520 Wasn't Adam the firstborn of all creation, right? 00:07:59.520 --> 00:08:01.160 You have the story of Adam and Eve. 00:08:01.160 --> 00:08:02.879 What is going on here? 00:08:02.879 --> 00:08:04.839 I want you all to realize, 00:08:04.839 --> 00:08:06.759 pay very close attention here. 00:08:06.759 --> 00:08:10.959 There is a difference between being the firstborn 00:08:10.959 --> 00:08:14.519 and being born first, okay? 00:08:14.519 --> 00:08:17.600 This language, it speaks about how Christ 00:08:17.600 --> 00:08:20.159 is in a position of authority, 00:08:20.159 --> 00:08:23.360 rather than, well, it's a position of authority 00:08:23.360 --> 00:08:24.360 over all creation. 00:08:24.360 --> 00:08:26.800 And the example that you can find in your notes 00:08:26.800 --> 00:08:29.360 is found in your notes. 00:08:29.360 --> 00:08:32.399 It's talking about Psalm 89, verse 27. 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:35.159 There's a reference there where it's talking 00:08:35.159 --> 00:08:39.600 about how David was made the firstborn, 00:08:39.600 --> 00:08:43.120 even though he was born last, right? 00:08:43.120 --> 00:08:46.120 David was the youngest. 00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:47.759 That's interesting, right? 00:08:47.759 --> 00:08:50.840 So to be the firstborn is different again 00:08:50.840 --> 00:08:53.120 than being born first. 00:08:53.120 --> 00:08:55.919 And this then leads us into verse 16, 00:08:55.919 --> 00:08:58.679 where Christ is the creator of all things. 00:08:58.679 --> 00:09:01.120 You might notice the pattern that was done 00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:03.440 in a previous sermon series, 00:09:03.440 --> 00:09:06.399 where we talked about how Christ is the creator, 00:09:06.399 --> 00:09:08.799 the redeemer, and the sustainer. 00:09:08.799 --> 00:09:11.560 And you'll see in the bold, right? 00:09:11.560 --> 00:09:14.159 There it is, hidden amongst the text, 00:09:14.159 --> 00:09:16.399 hidden within the text. 00:09:16.399 --> 00:09:19.799 For by him all things were created in heaven and on earth, 00:09:19.799 --> 00:09:22.840 visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions 00:09:22.840 --> 00:09:24.799 or rulers or authorities, 00:09:24.799 --> 00:09:29.200 all things were created through him and for him. 00:09:29.200 --> 00:09:31.280 The apostle Paul is talking about 00:09:31.280 --> 00:09:33.560 how Christ created all things. 00:09:33.560 --> 00:09:35.640 Because you gotta remember, Jesus Christ 00:09:35.640 --> 00:09:39.040 is part of the triune God, the Father, right? 00:09:39.040 --> 00:09:42.520 God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the what? 00:09:43.480 --> 00:09:45.840 The Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, right? 00:09:45.840 --> 00:09:47.040 Part of the triune God. 00:09:47.040 --> 00:09:49.800 And this is part of the deeper things of God, 00:09:49.800 --> 00:09:53.560 knowing that Christ was there in the beginning, right? 00:09:53.560 --> 00:09:57.000 This verse goes on to explain what was created, 00:09:57.000 --> 00:10:00.159 the heavens and the earth, the visible and the invisible. 00:10:00.159 --> 00:10:02.440 It always amazes me when you hear about 00:10:02.440 --> 00:10:05.200 the scientific community where you hear this talk 00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:08.200 about antimatter or all these things in the universe 00:10:08.200 --> 00:10:10.360 that are unseen, right? 00:10:10.360 --> 00:10:12.759 There's many things that we can't see. 00:10:12.759 --> 00:10:15.600 I mean, you may have to use a microscope 00:10:15.600 --> 00:10:18.840 to see all of the living organisms, right? 00:10:18.840 --> 00:10:20.519 Or you may have to look in a telescope 00:10:20.519 --> 00:10:23.799 to see distant stars or planetary systems. 00:10:23.799 --> 00:10:25.820 But even at that, there's still many things 00:10:25.820 --> 00:10:27.960 that are unseen. 00:10:27.960 --> 00:10:30.680 And that's amazing to think that our God created 00:10:30.680 --> 00:10:33.520 that which is seen and that which is unseen. 00:10:34.600 --> 00:10:37.040 The verse then takes us into the idea 00:10:37.040 --> 00:10:40.560 about thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities. 00:10:40.560 --> 00:10:42.600 That all of these things were created 00:10:42.600 --> 00:10:44.840 through Him and for Him. 00:10:44.840 --> 00:10:49.840 And I am convinced that Paul is listing these four powers, 00:10:50.360 --> 00:10:54.160 showing that they exist not only in the physical realm, 00:10:54.159 --> 00:10:56.600 but also in the spiritual realm 00:10:56.600 --> 00:10:58.919 because it's talking about what exists in heaven 00:10:58.919 --> 00:11:02.319 and on earth, visible and invisible. 00:11:02.319 --> 00:11:05.240 So all of these words, thrones, dominions, rulers, 00:11:05.240 --> 00:11:09.399 and authorities, it speaks to those who are in power. 00:11:09.399 --> 00:11:12.279 And that, here's the main point of that, 00:11:12.279 --> 00:11:15.079 that Christ is above all, right? 00:11:15.079 --> 00:11:20.079 Just how Jesus Christ is the name that is above all names. 00:11:20.080 --> 00:11:25.080 There is no power or authority that is above Christ. 00:11:25.560 --> 00:11:28.800 Right, if you think about the angels, the demons, right? 00:11:28.800 --> 00:11:31.040 You think about the rulers and authorities 00:11:31.040 --> 00:11:32.360 here on this earth. 00:11:32.360 --> 00:11:34.320 There's no president, there's no king, 00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:37.240 there's no emperor, there's no dictator. 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:40.040 That is greater than the name of Jesus Christ. 00:11:40.040 --> 00:11:43.800 That is a truth that we must take to heart. 00:11:43.800 --> 00:11:45.920 And this leads us to verse 17. 00:11:46.800 --> 00:11:49.360 That Christ is before all things. 00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:51.800 He is the sustainer, right? 00:11:51.800 --> 00:11:54.919 And the verse says, he is before all things 00:11:54.919 --> 00:11:58.720 and in him all things hold together. 00:11:58.720 --> 00:12:02.399 Not only does Christ reign supreme over all powers 00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:05.360 and heaven and on earth, we can see that it is Christ 00:12:05.360 --> 00:12:07.759 who holds everything together. 00:12:07.759 --> 00:12:09.360 This sounds like a sermon that I gave 00:12:09.360 --> 00:12:11.560 not that long ago, right? 00:12:11.560 --> 00:12:15.480 Where when we are broken, like a broken bowl, right? 00:12:15.480 --> 00:12:18.220 For those of you who may know Kintsugi, right? 00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:20.240 It is taking that which is broken 00:12:20.240 --> 00:12:21.639 and piecing it together 00:12:21.639 --> 00:12:24.960 and it becomes more valuable than it originally was. 00:12:24.960 --> 00:12:27.680 That's like how our God is, right? 00:12:27.680 --> 00:12:30.600 We are like broken on the ground 00:12:30.600 --> 00:12:35.040 and God takes us and molds us and mends us back together. 00:12:35.040 --> 00:12:39.200 It's such a powerful imagery that we can think of God, 00:12:39.200 --> 00:12:42.840 of how Christ is being the sustainer of all things. 00:12:43.560 --> 00:12:46.360 And all of this is done by the word of his power 00:12:46.360 --> 00:12:50.000 just as mentioned in Hebrews chapter one, verse three. 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:53.240 This is the retelling of how Christ existed 00:12:53.240 --> 00:12:55.320 before the foundation of the earth. 00:12:55.320 --> 00:12:58.960 And again, is the firstborn, right? 00:12:58.960 --> 00:13:01.519 Not born first, the firstborn. 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:04.000 He has that power and authority. 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:08.120 There is no power again that is above the power of Christ 00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:10.399 and there is nothing that is made 00:13:10.399 --> 00:13:13.560 or held together without him. 00:13:13.559 --> 00:13:16.879 This leads us then into verse 18, right? 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:20.039 It says that Christ is the head of the church 00:13:20.039 --> 00:13:22.679 and the firstborn of the dead. 00:13:22.679 --> 00:13:23.879 When you read that here, 00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:26.799 I mean that's a logical conclusion that we can make. 00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:31.719 That Jesus Christ being preeminent, 00:13:31.719 --> 00:13:33.479 being the firstborn, 00:13:33.479 --> 00:13:35.839 being the authority over all creation, 00:13:35.839 --> 00:13:39.679 well, of course he would be the head of the church, right? 00:13:39.679 --> 00:13:42.439 He is the head of the church because it's saying here, 00:13:42.440 --> 00:13:47.440 look, Christ reigns supreme over all powers on heaven 00:13:47.440 --> 00:13:50.620 and on earth and is the one who is at the foundation 00:13:50.620 --> 00:13:53.180 of the earth and holds everything together. 00:13:53.180 --> 00:13:58.180 Therefore, Christ is the head of the church, right? 00:13:59.140 --> 00:14:02.200 This not only speaks of the local church, 00:14:02.200 --> 00:14:05.520 this speaks of the worldwide church. 00:14:05.520 --> 00:14:07.720 This means that it is Christ who is 00:14:07.720 --> 00:14:11.680 and should be the head of the entire body of Christ. 00:14:11.679 --> 00:14:15.279 This verse then speaks about how Christ is the beginning, right? 00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:17.359 So look at this real quick. 00:14:17.359 --> 00:14:19.319 He's the head of the body of the church. 00:14:20.239 --> 00:14:22.639 We just read a couple of verses ago 00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:26.399 that he is the firstborn of creation, right? 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:28.959 That he was there at the foundation. 00:14:28.959 --> 00:14:32.639 But then it says here the firstborn from the dead. 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:35.559 Now that's an interesting one, right? 00:14:35.559 --> 00:14:38.959 Speaking of being the firstborn of the dead, 00:14:38.960 --> 00:14:42.320 speaking of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:14:42.320 --> 00:14:44.440 Now some of us may read that and we may think, 00:14:44.440 --> 00:14:49.200 well, wait a minute, wasn't Lazarus raised from the dead? 00:14:49.200 --> 00:14:50.759 Aren't there other stories of people 00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:52.480 who were raised from the dead? 00:14:52.480 --> 00:14:55.840 Well, here's the thing, let's use Lazarus as this example. 00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:58.360 He still had to die, right? 00:14:58.360 --> 00:14:59.879 Even though he was raised from the dead, 00:14:59.879 --> 00:15:03.800 the miraculous miracle that happened performed by Christ, 00:15:03.800 --> 00:15:05.120 he still had to die. 00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:08.639 And how unfortunate that must be to die twice, right? 00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:10.480 For Jesus Christ though, 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:15.639 he, being the firstborn of the dead, 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:20.240 it speaks of how Christ has power in the resurrection. 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:23.679 He is the firstborn of the resurrection, right? 00:15:23.679 --> 00:15:27.840 It's speaking of the future resurrection, okay? 00:15:27.840 --> 00:15:31.120 It's talking of what the future will hold. 00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:32.840 And just as Jesus Christ said 00:15:32.840 --> 00:15:36.399 that he is the resurrection in John 11, 25, 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:41.399 this is part of what we refer to as the first resurrection, 00:15:41.480 --> 00:15:44.079 which is found in Revelation chapter 20 00:15:44.079 --> 00:15:47.000 verses five through six, right? 00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:50.079 That Christ, his coming, right? 00:15:50.079 --> 00:15:52.319 There will be those who are raised. 00:15:52.319 --> 00:15:55.240 So Jesus Christ is the firstborn of creation 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:58.240 and the firstborn of the dead, the resurrection, 00:15:58.240 --> 00:16:00.699 the future resurrection that will happen. 00:16:01.759 --> 00:16:04.399 So then we go into verse 19, right? 00:16:04.399 --> 00:16:07.439 In Christ there is the fullness of God, 00:16:07.439 --> 00:16:11.959 for in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. 00:16:11.959 --> 00:16:13.840 You see this statement that speaks 00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:16.399 of the fullness of God in Christ. 00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:19.399 It is the indwelling of the spiritual 00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:22.519 into the physical form of Jesus Christ. 00:16:22.519 --> 00:16:25.840 Paul is stating that all of these attributes 00:16:25.840 --> 00:16:30.480 are present in the physical form of Jesus Christ. 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:33.620 And this also speaks of how there is unity 00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:36.519 between God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son, 00:16:36.519 --> 00:16:40.919 just like in John chapter 10 verse 30, verse 30, 00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:45.080 where Jesus says, I and my father are one. 00:16:45.080 --> 00:16:48.080 It is from this fullness, this completion, right? 00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:49.360 That's what the language says. 00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:52.159 There's this completion that exists. 00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:53.320 It is because of this. 00:16:53.320 --> 00:16:56.159 It is from this completion, this fullness of God 00:16:56.159 --> 00:16:58.840 that we receive God's grace. 00:16:58.840 --> 00:17:01.480 This then leads us into verse 20, 00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:05.160 where Christ is the reconciler and the redeemer 00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:08.759 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, 00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:10.880 whether on earth or in heaven, 00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:14.599 making peace by the blood of his cross. 00:17:14.599 --> 00:17:16.640 This speaks of how through Christ, 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:20.200 he is the one who makes the exchange, right? 00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:23.039 He is the reconcile and it is done 00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:25.960 by his sacrifice on the cross. 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:29.240 This is because, look, we can see Christ as our redeemer, 00:17:29.240 --> 00:17:31.559 right, he redeems us from captivity, 00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:35.960 but this reconciliation comes through the one time sacrifice 00:17:35.960 --> 00:17:40.319 on the cross and that we are saved through him. 00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:43.079 Just like how Jesus Christ said on the cross, 00:17:43.079 --> 00:17:45.279 it is finished. 00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:49.759 You find this in Hebrews 912 and Hebrews 1010. 00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:53.799 The peace that is made is the establishment of harmony, 00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:55.720 both with the things that are on earth 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:58.720 and the things that are in heaven, right? 00:17:58.720 --> 00:18:01.039 Through him to make the exchange 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:06.039 to reconcile to himself all things on earth or in heaven, 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:09.799 making peace by the blood of his cross. 00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:11.400 The establishment of harmony, 00:18:11.400 --> 00:18:14.519 it is Christ who redeems us for our sins, 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:19.519 but also reconciles us by making things new again. 00:18:20.079 --> 00:18:22.440 Do you realize that when you believe in the Lord, 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:25.240 you become a new creation? 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:28.120 Do you realize that it is God who restores 00:18:28.119 --> 00:18:30.799 what makes things new again? 00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:33.519 That is who our God is. 00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:37.599 To know Christ is to no longer fear death, 00:18:37.599 --> 00:18:41.119 but it is to embrace a new life that exists in him. 00:18:41.119 --> 00:18:44.199 It is to embrace a new identity in him 00:18:44.199 --> 00:18:48.039 and God will fulfill his promise by making peace again 00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:50.919 through the new heavens and the new earth, 00:18:50.919 --> 00:18:54.239 just as mentioned in Isaiah and Revelation. 00:18:55.239 --> 00:18:57.679 This takes us to verse 21, 00:18:57.680 --> 00:19:01.640 we're before Christ, we were separated 00:19:01.640 --> 00:19:03.759 and now reconciled, right? 00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:06.720 Says here, and you who were once what? 00:19:07.680 --> 00:19:08.880 Alienated and what? 00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:10.279 Friendly? 00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:13.680 Hostile, in mind, doing good things? 00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:15.640 No, doing evil deeds, right? 00:19:15.640 --> 00:19:17.039 And so this is Paul saying, 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:20.160 look, this is how you used to be. 00:19:20.160 --> 00:19:22.360 You used to be alienated. 00:19:22.360 --> 00:19:25.080 You were once separated from Christ. 00:19:25.080 --> 00:19:27.440 You were enemies, so to speak. 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:29.360 This is the former life. 00:19:29.360 --> 00:19:31.920 This is the life before knowing the Lord. 00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:34.759 Just like the Colossians, they were separated, right? 00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:36.519 They had that hostile mind. 00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:39.799 You know anyone who has a hostile mind to the Lord? 00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:42.759 Were you once hostile in mind to God? 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:46.600 I know I was before I became a Christian, absolutely. 00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:51.360 Many of us live this way before Christ. 00:19:51.360 --> 00:19:53.120 And if you do not know the Lord, 00:19:53.120 --> 00:19:57.039 let this be a call to enter into a relationship. 00:19:57.039 --> 00:19:58.839 No longer to be alienated. 00:19:58.839 --> 00:20:01.220 No longer to be hostile in mind. 00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:03.759 Think about that. 00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:05.440 This takes us to verse 22. 00:20:06.519 --> 00:20:11.519 By Christ, we are presentable to God. 00:20:11.799 --> 00:20:16.480 He is now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death 00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:20.119 in order to present you holy and blameless 00:20:20.119 --> 00:20:22.619 and above reproach before him. 00:20:22.619 --> 00:20:26.699 Christ made the exchange for our sins by his death. 00:20:26.699 --> 00:20:30.379 And Christ made a way to present those who believe in him 00:20:30.379 --> 00:20:34.879 as holy, as blameless, and above reproach. 00:20:34.879 --> 00:20:38.259 And this speaks of how Christ sacrificed for us 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:41.859 and in believing in him that we are made pure 00:20:41.859 --> 00:20:44.779 in the eyes of God, that we are made right blameless 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:48.339 without blame or faultless in the eyes of God 00:20:48.339 --> 00:20:51.500 and above reproach being unaccused. 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:55.619 And that is to say that we are presentable to God 00:20:55.619 --> 00:20:58.220 because of Christ's sacrifice. 00:20:58.220 --> 00:21:02.740 And this then leads us to verse 23. 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:07.740 In Christ, we are to continue following the Lord. 00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:12.059 The verse says, if indeed you continue in the faith, 00:21:12.059 --> 00:21:16.900 stable and steadfast, not shifting from the what? 00:21:16.900 --> 00:21:19.539 The hope of the gospel that you heard, 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:22.859 which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven 00:21:22.859 --> 00:21:27.180 and of which I, Paul, became a minister. 00:21:27.180 --> 00:21:29.500 And this is our final verse here. 00:21:29.500 --> 00:21:31.740 Paul is talking about being presentable 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:35.639 in the eyes of God and to continue in the faith. 00:21:35.639 --> 00:21:39.460 What God has done for you is to make you presentable. 00:21:39.460 --> 00:21:42.579 When you believe in the Lord, you are secure. 00:21:42.579 --> 00:21:45.180 How many of us look for security in this life? 00:21:45.180 --> 00:21:48.819 How many of us look for stability or safety? 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:51.139 It is in Christ that we find these things. 00:21:51.139 --> 00:21:53.419 It is in Christ that we find security. 00:21:53.419 --> 00:21:56.339 We find safety and we find stability. 00:21:58.700 --> 00:22:03.539 You too, in believing in the Lord, are called to do the same. 00:22:04.419 --> 00:22:06.859 Paul is calling the Colossians. 00:22:06.859 --> 00:22:11.619 He is urging them for the Colossians to remain grounded 00:22:11.619 --> 00:22:13.339 and settled in their faith, 00:22:13.339 --> 00:22:17.019 much like how we are to remain grounded 00:22:17.019 --> 00:22:19.299 and settled in our faith. 00:22:19.299 --> 00:22:23.460 It is the idea of persevering in this faith until the end 00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:25.660 to fight the good fight, 00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:29.740 to not be derailed or distracted from focusing on Christ. 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:32.859 Do you realize how easy it is to be distracted 00:22:32.859 --> 00:22:34.779 from the things of God? 00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:36.740 Just look at your cell phone. 00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:39.680 How many notifications do you get in a given day? 00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:42.099 I know I'll be very honest here. 00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:43.940 I get a lot more than I should. 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:46.599 When I discover do not disturb mode 00:22:46.599 --> 00:22:50.339 or focus mode or airplane mode, 00:22:50.339 --> 00:22:53.139 I turn that off, right? 00:22:53.139 --> 00:22:55.699 We don't want to be bombarded. 00:22:55.699 --> 00:22:57.299 And quite honestly, when it comes 00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:59.139 with our relationship to the Lord, 00:22:59.139 --> 00:23:01.899 why in the world would we want to be derailed? 00:23:01.899 --> 00:23:04.099 Why in the world would we want to be distracted 00:23:04.099 --> 00:23:06.980 or disrupted in prayer? 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:09.899 Or in a time where we are in community, 00:23:09.899 --> 00:23:12.339 where the body of Christ is coming together? 00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:16.059 I know that there are times we have emergencies. 00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:16.899 I get it. 00:23:17.899 --> 00:23:19.259 But for the most part, 00:23:20.899 --> 00:23:22.500 when you get that little ding, right? 00:23:24.059 --> 00:23:28.139 On Facebook, on Instagram, or on TikTok. 00:23:28.139 --> 00:23:29.200 Okay, it's 30 seconds. 00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:31.500 When you leave, you can go watch your TikTok, right? 00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:32.519 Whatever it is. 00:23:33.980 --> 00:23:35.419 We have to think. 00:23:35.419 --> 00:23:38.019 It is very easy to be derailed 00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:40.480 or distracted from focusing on Christ. 00:23:41.379 --> 00:23:43.579 And so often at times, 00:23:43.579 --> 00:23:45.299 I mentioned last Sunday 00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:46.659 when I went to the conference 00:23:46.659 --> 00:23:49.659 and we were talking about all these controversial topics 00:23:49.659 --> 00:23:52.539 that were dividing Christians. 00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:54.619 And I know there's many of us come 00:23:54.619 --> 00:23:56.579 from different theological backgrounds 00:23:56.579 --> 00:23:58.379 or different denominational backgrounds 00:23:58.379 --> 00:24:00.839 or how we were raised. 00:24:00.839 --> 00:24:04.779 What matters is that we focus on Christ. 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:08.859 What matters is we focused on the tenets of the faith, 00:24:08.859 --> 00:24:13.180 the death, the burial, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:24:13.180 --> 00:24:16.539 The ministry that Jesus Christ had performed. 00:24:16.539 --> 00:24:20.539 Turning water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana. 00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:23.140 Focusing on those things, 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:26.220 not focusing on whether you're a pre-trib 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:27.340 or you're post-trib, right? 00:24:27.340 --> 00:24:29.980 Or the things that divide us. 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:33.400 Focus on Christ and the things that bring us together. 00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:38.660 The good that we do in the name of Christ is not in vain. 00:24:38.660 --> 00:24:41.820 We are to continue in the faith, right? 00:24:41.819 --> 00:24:44.939 Let us be stable, let us be steadfast, 00:24:44.939 --> 00:24:48.740 not shifting from the hope of the gospel. 00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:51.539 And it is a reminder that we are saved by grace 00:24:51.539 --> 00:24:53.980 through faith so that we can do good 00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:56.059 in the name of Jesus Christ. 00:24:56.059 --> 00:24:59.299 We are to remain rooted and grounded in the gospel, 00:24:59.299 --> 00:25:01.220 the message of the Jesus Christ. 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:03.720 Let us not shift from that hope. 00:25:03.720 --> 00:25:07.279 It is allowing for Christ to work in us, 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:11.099 for the word of Christ to dwell richly in us, 00:25:11.099 --> 00:25:13.939 in our minds and in our hearts. 00:25:13.939 --> 00:25:18.859 Here, we should all focus on the hope of the gospel 00:25:18.859 --> 00:25:22.000 because there is hope that comes from the gospel. 00:25:22.939 --> 00:25:24.500 Do you realize? 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:26.859 Have you turned on the news recently? 00:25:26.859 --> 00:25:28.980 When's the last time, you don't have to answer me, 00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:33.980 when's the last time you heard a hopeful story on the news? 00:25:34.859 --> 00:25:36.740 Social media, maybe, right? 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:41.220 It's very telling, right? 00:25:42.579 --> 00:25:44.380 I mean, I can think maybe a couple of years ago, 00:25:44.380 --> 00:25:46.339 every so often, right? 00:25:46.339 --> 00:25:48.519 You get a positive story. 00:25:49.900 --> 00:25:54.900 But as culture, as the media is focusing more on darkness, 00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:59.299 we focus on the light of Christ. 00:25:59.299 --> 00:26:02.700 When the world is focusing on hatred and division, 00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:05.019 we focus on the love of Christ. 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:06.859 And we focus on unity. 00:26:07.819 --> 00:26:11.160 And as the world is focusing on things that are, 00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:13.500 they're just dumb. 00:26:14.379 --> 00:26:17.579 We focus on the things of Christ. 00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:20.339 And as Christians, we are to prepare our minds 00:26:20.339 --> 00:26:22.740 and our hearts for action, 00:26:22.740 --> 00:26:26.740 for our hope is in the grace that is given by Christ. 00:26:26.740 --> 00:26:30.460 This is a call for us to stand on grace and truth 00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:32.980 and to rejoice and to give thanks 00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:35.140 for this amazing grace, right? 00:26:35.140 --> 00:26:39.700 Just like that song, amazing grace, how sweet the sound. 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:43.980 And in reviewing this message, you might wonder, 00:26:43.980 --> 00:26:47.980 well, how can these verses be understood more easily? 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:50.579 And I'd like you to turn to your notes for a moment. 00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:54.240 And I want you to think for a moment, as we've discussed, 00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:57.099 we've gone over Colossians chapter one, 00:26:57.099 --> 00:27:01.059 verses 13 through 23, you see this chart on here. 00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:06.059 And on the red, this is your life before Christ. 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:12.220 When you come to church or when you read the Bible 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:14.980 or when you hang out with Christians, 00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:19.980 you begin to learn about Christ, you begin to know Christ. 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:24.980 And then there comes a point where you believe in Him. 00:27:25.339 --> 00:27:28.579 When you place your trust in Jesus Christ, 00:27:28.579 --> 00:27:30.700 when you have that faith in Him 00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:33.779 and you go from the red into the green, 00:27:34.700 --> 00:27:37.920 where you are transformed by Jesus Christ, 00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:41.220 there's this continual transformation that exists, 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:44.940 transformed by Christ. 00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:49.500 And we live this life in Christ. 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:53.019 And you'll notice when you're reading Colossians, 00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:57.580 you'll see many words and sayings that are saying, 00:27:57.579 --> 00:28:02.579 in Christ this, by Christ this, and then Christ is this. 00:28:02.659 --> 00:28:06.259 That's how this chart is created, right? 00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:09.019 Just like how in scripture we are to rightly divide 00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:11.740 the word of God, we can create patterns 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:15.259 and find similarities and connections. 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:17.500 And so that's what we find in this chart. 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:21.980 It says in here, before we know Christ, we are lost. 00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:24.579 We come to know Christ to believe in Him. 00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:27.500 And by placing our faith and trust in Him, 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:31.380 we are transformed by Christ, right? 00:28:31.380 --> 00:28:33.180 And because of this transformation, 00:28:33.180 --> 00:28:37.660 we are called to live in Christ, to live life in Christ. 00:28:37.660 --> 00:28:42.140 In living in Christ, we continue to know Him, right? 00:28:42.140 --> 00:28:44.500 It's not a one-time moment, all right? 00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:47.000 Your story ends here. 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:49.779 Salvation is the beginning of your story. 00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:51.539 It is not the end. 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:54.480 There is much that we are called to do. 00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:56.579 We are saved by grace through faith 00:28:56.579 --> 00:28:59.819 so that we can grow and so that we can do good 00:28:59.819 --> 00:29:01.779 in the name of Jesus Christ. 00:29:07.939 --> 00:29:12.139 Just as we are justified, we become more like Christ, right? 00:29:12.139 --> 00:29:16.059 We go on this path of living our lives in Christ. 00:29:16.059 --> 00:29:19.579 For some of you, you may have been going to the study, 00:29:19.579 --> 00:29:22.460 the book study where we have been going over the book, 00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:25.579 God at Center, and it speaks of having God 00:29:25.579 --> 00:29:26.899 at the center of your life. 00:29:26.899 --> 00:29:30.000 And what I love about preparing this sermon today 00:29:30.000 --> 00:29:32.980 is how it's tied into this study. 00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:36.659 That in Christ, right, there is the dwelling of God, right? 00:29:36.659 --> 00:29:38.419 The dwelling of the word of God, 00:29:38.419 --> 00:29:41.919 and that radiates out into your everyday life. 00:29:42.939 --> 00:29:46.619 Having God at the center of your life, 00:29:46.619 --> 00:29:51.319 where you work, where you play your family interactions, 00:29:51.319 --> 00:29:54.619 that's in having God in your life. 00:29:54.619 --> 00:29:57.299 In knowing Christ, being transformed by Christ 00:29:57.299 --> 00:30:00.500 and living it out, it is the radiation as a word. 00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:04.819 It is the exhibiting the love and truth of Christ. 00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:08.659 In Christ, there is the dwelling of God. 00:30:08.659 --> 00:30:10.579 We are reconciled in Christ. 00:30:10.579 --> 00:30:12.699 Our sins are forgiven. 00:30:12.699 --> 00:30:16.279 It is also in Christ that we live our lives for Him, 00:30:16.279 --> 00:30:19.059 not a life of sin and of the flesh, 00:30:19.059 --> 00:30:24.059 but a life that is living out God's divine plan for us. 00:30:24.059 --> 00:30:26.940 And just as God presents us as holy, 00:30:26.940 --> 00:30:29.259 blameless and above reproach, 00:30:29.259 --> 00:30:34.259 we too should present ourselves by living it out, right? 00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:36.019 Just as the verse says, 00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:38.779 offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, 00:30:38.779 --> 00:30:40.299 making yourself presentable. 00:30:40.299 --> 00:30:42.019 That's what it's saying here. 00:30:42.019 --> 00:30:44.659 And part of our faith is bearing fruit 00:30:44.659 --> 00:30:47.779 and living out the gospel of Christ in grace 00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:49.339 and in truth, right? 00:30:49.339 --> 00:30:51.659 In love and in truth. 00:30:51.660 --> 00:30:55.140 Sharing the love of God with others, 00:30:55.140 --> 00:30:59.779 but standing firm on the foundation of the word of God. 00:30:59.779 --> 00:31:01.460 In all of these things, 00:31:01.460 --> 00:31:04.340 we continue to learn to be transformed 00:31:04.340 --> 00:31:07.580 and to live our lives in Christ. 00:31:07.580 --> 00:31:11.820 I encourage you today, just as Paul encouraged 00:31:11.820 --> 00:31:15.019 the Colossians to be rooted in grace and truth 00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:17.980 and to share in the hope of the gospel, 00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:20.140 let us be encouraged as well. 00:31:20.140 --> 00:31:22.820 Let us be like that church at Colossi 00:31:22.820 --> 00:31:26.380 that was faithful to God and exhibited the love of Christ. 00:31:26.380 --> 00:31:28.700 May we be rooted in grace and truth. 00:31:28.700 --> 00:31:32.540 May we share in the hope of the gospel with others. 00:31:32.540 --> 00:31:35.820 And may we live a life that honors 00:31:35.820 --> 00:31:38.259 and glorifies our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:39.460 Amen. 00:31:39.460 --> 00:31:40.560 Let's pray together. 00:31:41.500 --> 00:31:42.380 And heavenly Father, 00:31:42.380 --> 00:31:46.820 we thank you for the truth about your son, Jesus Christ. 00:31:46.819 --> 00:31:50.579 As we have just gone deeper into the spiritual 00:31:50.579 --> 00:31:53.619 and the biblical truths from your word, 00:31:53.619 --> 00:31:55.700 we thank you for giving us this chance 00:31:55.700 --> 00:31:59.139 and this opportunity, allowing us to come here together. 00:31:59.139 --> 00:32:02.779 We pray that this message will help change minds. 00:32:03.899 --> 00:32:06.899 May our hearts be changed to love like you. 00:32:06.899 --> 00:32:10.079 And may we live lives that are glorifying to you. 00:32:11.039 --> 00:32:13.619 We thank you for your son, Jesus Christ, 00:32:13.619 --> 00:32:15.399 who brought us from the darkness 00:32:15.400 --> 00:32:17.940 into your marvelous light. 00:32:17.940 --> 00:32:21.060 And for those of us who are yet to believe, 00:32:21.060 --> 00:32:25.060 may you help them come to know you. 00:32:25.060 --> 00:32:29.580 May we have those discussions. 00:32:29.580 --> 00:32:33.940 May we be present with those who are yet to believe as well. 00:32:33.940 --> 00:32:36.460 And for those of us who believe, 00:32:36.460 --> 00:32:40.360 Father God encourage us to remain rooted in grace and truth. 00:32:40.359 --> 00:32:45.359 You are the firm foundation, the anchor for our souls. 00:32:46.559 --> 00:32:49.240 May we be encouraged by your word, 00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:52.259 the truth and the love from you today. 00:32:53.639 --> 00:32:56.000 As we are closing with our final song, 00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:58.639 may we lift up a shout of praise 00:32:58.639 --> 00:33:02.119 and sing together as the local body, 00:33:02.119 --> 00:33:07.079 the church in which your son, Jesus Christ is the head. 00:33:07.079 --> 00:33:09.959 We say all of this in Jesus's holy 00:33:09.960 --> 00:33:13.000 and mighty name, we pray together, amen. 00:33:13.000 --> 00:33:14.039 Amen. 00:33:14.039 --> 00:33:15.079 Thank you for tuning in 00:33:15.079 --> 00:33:18.079 to the Ontario Community Church sermon podcast. 00:33:18.079 --> 00:33:19.600 For more about our church 00:33:19.600 --> 00:33:22.279 and how you can get involved or support our mission, 00:33:22.279 --> 00:33:26.000 please visit ontariocommunitychurch.org. 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:41.000 May God's blessings be with you.