Life Rooted in Christ

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Correction to the sermon:

Pastor Elaine makes a reference to the story of Moses’ circumcision (18 minutes into the sermon), but it was actually Moses’ son’s circumcision.

Sunday Scripture Reading: Colossians 2:1-15 (NRSV)

1 For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me face to face. Read more…

Looking to Sunday: Preparing to Hear From God

by Elaine Poproski

Paul writes: “When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive – right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant cancelled and nailed to Christ’s cross.” (Colossians 2:13-14).

This is what it’s all about. This is what Jesus did. Death and sin were conquered when Jesus died and then rose from the dead. When we grab onto that truth we follow Jesus from death into life. Sin no longer has power over us. We are free to live the kind of abundant life God intended when He created us – a life filled with purpose, hope, peace, joy, and love.

I know that sometimes, in the daily grind of life, it’s hard to believe these words. I know that sometimes, when our addictions seem to be winning, when our mental health isn’t so healthy, when life’s injustices threaten us with despair, the idea that Jesus’ death and resurrection mean anything for life right now might be hard to believe. But Jesus didn’t just die and rise so that we would rise after we die. Jesus died and rose so that we could taste abundant life now. If you read a few verses prior to those I included at the beginning of this article, you’ll see a reference to the rite of baptism as our symbolic dying and rising with Christ now. It’s not that everything bad goes away. This world is still broken and fallen. But somehow, through the miracle of Christ in us, we experience the world differently. We respond to the world differently. This is one of the primary messages of Colossians. And as you prepare for Sunday, I encourage you to think about how your faith in Christ evidences itself in your life right now. If you can’t see it, or you have yet to make a decision to belong to Jesus, then seek out someone who is living a life of faith and ask them about it. And do it before Sunday as a way of preparing for Sunday.