October 31, 2015 - Church at Worship

Sermon: “Overcoming a Perilous Eclipse”  - by Randy Roberts

Pastoral Welcome: Miguel Mendez

Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:1–4, 12–14, TNIV

Children's Feature: Miguel Mendez 

Sermon Notes:

Our current sermon series is entitled, The Cosmic Christ and the Common Disciple. The reason for that title is two-fold. On the one hand, Colossians (arguably) contains the highest Christology in the Bible. Just go back and re-read Colossians 1! No wonder one New Testament scholar speaks of the Jesus of Colossians as “the cosmic Christ!”

But, on the other hand, Paul does not remain steeped in high Christology throughout this letter. Rather, he descends from the heights of theological wonder into the world of the everyday believer. Simply put, he makes certain that the reader understands that high Christology and common life go together. After all, it was “the Son … the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (Colossians 1:15, TNIV) who wrapped himself in human flesh and became just like us. Therefore, the cosmic Christ takes deep interest in the common disciple—in you and in me.

We are going to see the implications of that reality unfold as we move into the last half of Colossians. In this part of his letter, Paul will take up the ethics of how we live our lives, the words we speak to each other, our home relationships, the need for virtues such as compassion and kindness and humility, and a range of other timely topics.

Today’s passage is particularly poignant in this regard. As we read it, I urge you to keep your heart open for the Spirit of the cosmic Christ to “rearrange the furniture” of your life into the pattern that God desires.

Randy Roberts, Senior Pastor