August 24, 2026
Where's The Hope? | The New Life
Sometimes Christianity gets known for the things we don’t do. That’s part of the story, but not the biggest (or best) part of the story. Paul lays out the Christian code of conduct in this passage. How do we be us? How do we deal with each other? What are the markers of a genuine Christian community? Not surprisingly, all of who we are called to be finds its root in who God is and how much God loves us.
Songs for this week: Spotify
Colossians 3:12-17
Questions:
- Name someone who loves you no matter what. Offer a story to explain your choice.
- Why would Christians think they are “God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved”? Which of those means most to you these days?
- What’s the secret to forgiveness? Have you ever found it difficult to forgive someone? How did that, or how is that, working out for you?
- Love, peace and gratitude seem like good things to build community on! Have you ever seen a group get better at those three? How did they do that?
- How can your family or group be rich with the message of Christ? Agree to try one of those strategies this week.
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Recent Sermons
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.
Colossians 2:20-3:4 - Religious baggage can pull us in all kinds of directions—from expecting God to fit our preferences to trying to earn His approval. Paul’s message to the Colossians was simple: stop guessing what God wants and get back to the core of Christianity—Jesus.
Colossians 2:13-19 - Humans have a problem that we can’t save ourselves from—not through secular programs or religious systems. The good news of Jesus is that on the cross, Jesus dealt with it all. In him we are alive, forgiven, and free!
Colossians 2:8-12 - Paul warns the Colossian church not to trade the freedom found in Christ for religion or spiritual experiences. Jesus is more than enough.
Colossians 2:1-7-The way forward for the first Christians wasn't always easy. False teachers brought confusion and deception, prompting Paul to point believers back to the truth. Just as the best way to spot a counterfeit is to know the genuine article, the best way to recognize false teaching is to know Jesus.
Colossians 1:24-29-Suffering is one of life's hardest realities. We might expect that following Jesus would mean less pain, but Jesus himself suffered and made it clear that his followers would too. The good news is that our suffering is never lost on God and is never in vain.
