August 9, 2026
Where's The Hope? | Lost Connection
The believers in Colossae were struggling. We can’t avoid it; we bring religious baggage with us when we come to trust Jesus. In our day, it’s more likely that people go to church and think God should be chill and adjust to their thinking and preferences. 2000 years ago it was the opposite; people brought rules and restrictions, believing that God (or the gods) needed to be placated with displays of earnestness. They basically guessed what God wanted. Paul wanted those believers to guess no more! Get back and stay with the core of Christianity, which is, I hope, obvious: Jesus!
Songs for this week: Spotify
Colossians 2:20-3:4
Questions:
- Did you ever go into serious training? Workouts, diets, long runs, or 2-a-days? Tell that story.
- Explain what it means to be ‘dead in your sin’ and also what it means to ‘die with Christ’.
- What church rules/requirements have you experienced or heard of? Can you figure out what was intended by imposing those rules?
- What does it mean to first ‘set your hearts on things above’ and then ‘set your minds on things above'? Why that order? Does your answer grow as you realize those commands are spoken in the plural?
- What does being ‘with Christ’ look like in your life this summer?
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Recent Sermons
1 Samuel 23:14-18-Using the life of David, we’re taking four weeks to look at four essential practices that Christians have devoted themselves to for two thousand years: Gather, Grow, Give and Go. These practices are what Jesus has always called his church to do. This week we’re talking about growing … together.
1 Samuel 17:32-Join as we begin a 4-week series exploring the Vision of St. Paul’s through the life of David. Discover four essential practices Jesus has called His church to for 2,000 years: Gather, Grow, Give, and Go. This week, we begin with Gather—why gathering together matters and what it means to be the church.
Colossians 4:2-9 - Prayer isn’t meant to be an afterthought—it’s an invitation to stay connected to God. Paul’s final words challenge us to pray with purpose, keep our eyes open for what God is doing, and look for opportunities to share Jesus. A great way to wrap up a letter—and launch us into the world God loves.
Colossians 3:18-4:1 -Paul closes his letter by showing how following Jesus transforms our everyday relationships—with spouses, children, parents, employees, and employers—and calls us to care for one another with kindness.
Colossians 3:12-17-Sometimes Christianity gets known for what we don’t do. But Paul points us toward something better: how we live, love, and treat one another. What marks a genuine Christian community? It all starts with who God is and how deeply He loves us.
Colossians 3:5-11-Paul points to two areas that reveal who we are at the deepest level: sex and speech. The path to health and freedom isn’t harsh rules or self-focus, but staying close to Jesus, knowing him and growing in him. Christianity isn’t harsh rules; it’s a vibrant friendship.
