Baptism represents a believer’s identification with Christ, signifying a death to a life of sin and resurrection to a spiritually reborn life. While sin, described as a wrong relationship with God, remains a real threat, it no longer reigns over a believer’s life. Instead, through Christ and the Holy Spirit, believers find transformative strength, embracing a life reflecting God’s righteousness.

Last week I talked about holiness – The church is set apart by God to represent his character to the world.

Holiness is about devotion. It’s about the desires of our heart. What we meditate on, long for, dream about. 

What are the forces at work in our world that are trying to convince us of our need for them? What is pulling your devotion away from God?

Because of the promise of eternal life, the hope of glory, look to that which has eternal value. Notice it says the same thing twice, but referring to the heart and then the mind. Set your hearts and your minds on things above.

This message unveils the meaning of holiness and its essence in trusting Jesus. Exploring the theme of holiness in the context of the nation of Israel, Jesus, and the Church, it demonstrates that holiness arises not from rule-following but from devotion and heart transformation. It underscores that the Church is holy as it’s wholly devoted to God, embracing its unique status gained solely through trust in Jesus, and that true holiness mirrors God’s abundant generosity.

This message explores the concept of a mature church as referenced in the Bible’s Colossians 1:24 – 2:5. Maturity is defined as being unblemished or perfectly dedicated to God. Maturity is embodied in the hope of Christ, and it hinges on the pursuit of wisdom, unity, and faith. However, achieving this maturity requires enduring struggles and embracing God’s wisdom over worldly perspectives. Ultimately, unwavering devotion to God’s way and putting hope in Jesus are emphasized as the way to maturity.

This message discussed flourishing through three spiritual concepts: redemption, rule of Jesus, and reconciliation. Flourishing happens when we yield to Jesus’ authority, resulting in an environment favourable for growth. Redemption results in freedom, rule of Jesus cultivates an environment of abundance, and reconciliation fosters peace. As we manifest these spiritual concepts we will experience flourishing in alignment with divine purpose.

Paul’s letters inspire us to trust in God, embrace love and faith, and courageously navigate life’s challenges, leading us on a joyful path of spiritual growth. By increasing in wisdom through prayer and humility, the church progresses towards its mission, thereby embodying the essence of the gospel in the community.

Absolute truth found in Jesus Christ is a controversial claim, but there is no other way it will work. In the book of Colossians, we see the importance of maintaining faith, hope, and love in the Christian journey.

Iain Provan was an Old Testament professor at Regent College for many years and recently retired. In his retirement, one of his first projects was to write a book with a title based on this…