Ever wonder what an authentic church should look like? Last week we discovered that an authentic church exhibits faith, love and hope. I am sure everyone has in mind what an ideal church should be. As we consider the Apostle Paul’s prayer for the church in Colossae, we discover several elements of an authentic church…
Read MoreFirst Things First – A Study of Colossians – The Marks of an Authentic Christian Community
Although the Apostle Paul had never been to the church in Colossae, he realized that the work there was authentic because of Epaphras’s report. Paul was so grateful for this fact that he said, We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you…because of what we heard (1:3-4). …
Read MoreFirst Things First – A Study of Colossians
Colossae was not a realtor’s paradise. It was a city on the skids and fading from importance. It was located 80 miles east of Ephesus in what is now called Turkey. At one time it was a large, wealthy city of great importance. It was formally known for its unique color as a result of…
Read MoreTrue Blessing – Psalm 32 – Ken Troutman
1How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered! 2How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit! 3When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away Through my groaning all day long. 4For day and night Your…
Read MoreHow Can God Be Known? – John 1:18
If God is invisible as John tells us in John 1:18, how can He be known? I’ve never seen anyone or anything that is invisible. Have you? Human eyes are not capable of seeing the unseen. Later, in John’s Gospel, Jesus said, God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and…
Read MoreThe Christmas Light – Baa Humbug – John 1:4-13
Lights line city streets, cover trees, surround homes, flicker in windows all across the globe at this season. Does anyone know about the true light (Jn. 1:9)? Christmas lights are made all over the world. They come in various shapes, colors and sizes. We now even have LED lights and laser lights. The Bible speaks…
Read More