Resonate Community Church

Following Jesus is more than just holding to a new moral code, it's allowing the Spirit of God through the Word of God to radicalize every relationship in our lives and thus, proclaim the power of Jesus.

Resonate Community Church

Following Jesus as a true follower requires that we are practicing putting on the right clothes. Paul outlines for us the characteristics that those in the family of God should be growing in...it's all about looking more like Jesus!

In Revelation 22:16, part of the Epilogue of the book, Jesus calls Himself the Bright Morning Star. The question is...Why? The answer may very well lay in the fact that three times in this section Jesus reminds us "I am coming again soon". As the bright morning star announces the coming of the dawn of a new day, so too, Jesus first advent announces and guarantees His second advent and in that we can find great HOPE!

Resonate Community Church

Resonate Community Church

In the process of following Jesus, there are things that just have to die in our lives. There is no other option...it's got to die.

The Crucial Pursuit for living as a Jesus follower is this: having the right clothes on. So what are the right clothes? As we look at this passage in Colossians 3 we find that Jesus is more than an accessory to your outfit, His character is to BE your outfit.

While not one of the classic names of God, Jehovah Ezer teaches of a much needed truth about our God: He stands ready to help those who are in genuine, intimate relationship with Him. How thankful we should be that we always have a faithful and sure ally in the battles of life we face...Jehovah Ezer.

Trusting Jesus in faith is just the beginning of our relationship with Him. A faithful Jesus follower is one who goes on to experience dramatic change in our lives from top to bottom. Where does all this change begin? In our hearts and minds.

While the beginning of our relationship with Jesus has no strings attached and costs us nothing, Jesus was clear...there is a price to pay. The challenge for us this morning is to Consider the Cost of following Jesus

Just as there are all sorts of financial scams out there, so too we must always be on guard against spiritual scams. Whether it's Legalism, Mysticism or Asceticism, Paul makes it very clear that these things have no place in the life of believers.

Like no other place in Scripture Paul very succinctly defines and illustrates the gospel and what Jesus has does for us. An appropriate meditation for Good Friday.

On that first Palm Sunday over 2000 years ago we saw a lot of people who were really Into Jesus, but less than a week later many of these same people were probably the one crying 'Crucify'. In the end, it’s not how INTO Jesus you are that counts….but whether or not you’re truly IN Jesus.

Paul knew the Believers in Colossae were facing false teaching, so how did he help them guard against being gullible? By reminding them that by focusing on their solid foundation in Christ, they would not be led astray from Christ, because He's already done everything they need for their relationship with God.

As Paul transitions to the next topic he wants to address with the Colossians, he shares some things about himself and his ministry. It's clear that he was Gripped by the Word of Truth.

In Colossians 1:13-14 and 21-23 Paul speaks about the Word of Truth. When we put these few verses together we find a brief, powerful and effective summary of the Word of Truth, the Gospel that saves.

Scripture is clear, our God is a Jealous God. This may seem difficult to understand, but when one really digs down into the word, its origin and meaning a beautiful picture emerges. Instead of a petty God who feels threatened we find a God who has great passion for His possessions.

As Paul continued his letter to the Jesus Followers in Colossae, his mention of Jesus, our redeemer and forgiver, takes him down a most beautiful rabbit trail. This beautiful summary of the character of the Jesus shows just how much Paul loved his Savior and wanted others to know and love the True Jesus.

Jesus followers need to be completely filled up with a deep, rich understanding of God's plans, purposes and desires...all of which should motivate us to pleasing Him him by bearing fruit, growing in knowing Him, depending on His strength and joyfully giving thanks to Him.