January 22, 2017Passage:  Colossians 3:1-11Speaker:  Bill KnepperMain Point:  Growing in Christ means to be more like Him. I. In Christ, you are seated in heaven already.  (v 1-4)            A. Jesus is seated at the right hand of God.            B. You are in Christ so set your mind there.            C. Live today in what will be…

January 15, 2017Passage:  Colossians 2:20-23Speaker:  Bill KnepperMain Point:  Maturity comes through Jesus. I. The believer is changed from death to life by faith in Jesus.  (20)         A. The believer has died with Jesus.         B. The believer becomes a new creature in Jesus.         C. The old “elemental forces” are now dead.                  1.  The bondage of ignorance…

January 8, 2017Passage:  Colossians 2:16-19Speaker:  Bill KnepperMain Point:  Jesus will guide you to balance in life. I. There are some large egos in religion.            A. Some seek to destroy you with legalism.  (16)            B. Some seek to destroy you with libertinism.            C. These people are driven by an inflated ego.  (18) II. Counterfeits come in…

December 18, 2016Passage:  Colossians 2:6-15Speaker:  Bill KnepperMain Point:  Never allow any passing fad to take your eyes off Jesus. I. Stay on course by growing in Christ.  (v 6-8)            A. The journey begins with Christ.            B. The journey continues with Christ.                        1. The believer is rooted.                        2. The believer is building.                        3. The believer is…

December 11, 2016Passage:  Colossians 2:1-5Speaker:  Bill KnepperMain Point:  A satisfied heart is the fruit of grasping the truth about Jesus. I. The Christian life is the full meal deal.  (v 2-3)            A. There is encouragement in Christ.                      (Support others (encourage) in the church)            B. There is unity in the body of Christ.            C. All wisdom…

December 4, 2016Passage:  Colossians 1:24-29Speaker:  Bill KnepperMain Point: We invite the world to be mature in Jesus Christ. I. The body of Christ suffers in the name of Christ.  (v 24)            A. Saints have suffered for two millennia.            B. Saints bear the persecution not the work of the cross.            C. Perspective allows joy in the…

November 20, 2016Passage:  Colossians 1:21-23Speaker:  Bill KnepperMain Point: The Gospel calls us to a lifelong journey of discovery and sharing. I. Before – We were lost and confused.  (v 21)            A. Without Christ we were aliens.            B. Without Christ we were confused and often hostile.                   (Prayers not always answered as we want or expect, we…

November 13, 2016Passage:  Colossians 1:18-20Speaker:  Bill KnepperMain Point: God Himself has dealt with the separation between God and man. I. Jesus holds the first place in everything. (v 18)            A. He is the head of the church.  (Gnosticism)            B. He is the first raised from the dead.  (Born)            C. He is preeminent over all. II.…

November 6, 2016Passage:  Colossians 1:15-17Speaker:  Bill KnepperMain Point: Jesus is the Most High God who made you. I. Jesus is the Head of everything. (v 15)            A. Jesus is the eternal God.            B. Jesus is the head of all creation. II. Jesus created everything. (v 16)            A. Jesus created everything on earth.            B. Jesus created…

October 30, 2016Passage:  Colossians 1:9-12Speaker:  Bill KnepperMain Point: Knowing God better makes life better. I. Knowing God’s will is vital for growing. (v 9)            A. Paul prays that they will learn about God.            B. Learning involves wisdom not just facts.            C. Learning about God is spiritual understanding. II. The fruit of knowledge about God is…