My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ (Colossians 2:2, NIV)
We often use the word ‘mystery’ to describe something that we don’t know, might never know, or might be restricted to certain people. When Paul uses the word, he is describing something we do know and can all know: Jesus Christ. At the centre of the Christian faith is one man, Jesus. This is the mystery that Paul wants us to understand, to know, and to grow in.
Jesus said This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. (Mark 4:26-27, NIV)
This Sunday is our harvest service. As part of the service, we will be remembering God’s provision for us in the crops and food that he provides for us. Jesus also uses parables about planting to help us understand what God’s kingdom is like.
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (Colossians 1:15, NIV)
Who is Jesus? That’s the question at the centre of life. If we have the right answer to that question, everything else in life just drops into place. In his sermon at Her Late Majesty’s funeral, The Archbishop of Canterbury said that Jesus told us whom to follow. That person is Jesus: who is Jesus?
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people (Colossians 1:3-4, NIV)
We’re starting a new series this Sunday, working our way through St Paul’s letter to the Colossians. It’s a letter that begins with thankfulness for the Colossian Christians, and prayer that they would continue to live in Christ. It’s also a letter to us, that we would continue to live in Christ and give thanks to God.
Jesus said ‘go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV)
What is our purpose as a church? Why do we do what we do? What are our plan for the future? This Sunday is our Vision Sunday, and we’re going to spend time looking at our purpose as a church, our vision for 2025, and our plans for the future - I really hope that you can join us as we do that.