Colossians 1:15-23,28-29

"Dear Father, We have not seen you. We do not even know what it might mean to see you. But you have shown us Jesus, and because we have seen him, we....."

"Dear Father, We are Christ's church and he is head over us, head over his body. He is the beginning, the first-born of creation and the first-born..."

"Dear Child of God, If you were a shepherd in the time when I was born, you would never have expected anyone to be astonished at anything you could..."

"Dear Beloved, Today you will read two powerful passages of praise. The first one is from Paul's letter to the Colossians. The second is from Paul's....."

So who is Jesus to you? Phil Ware talks about Paul's big reversal from seeing Jesus as a blasphemer to seeing him as everything.

Who is that little child in that manger who looks so tiny and fragile? Phil Ware begins a four series set of articles for Advent and this first one is called BEFORE and focuses on Jesus being God, pre-existent before the world began.

Can you really accept that God views you as He does? Phil Ware describes a dream a friend had about Phil's dad -- and he shares how hard it is for him to accept that God feels that way about him, too.

The Father is looking to use you, no matter how unlikely it seems possible! Rubel Shelley reminds us that God does his best work through the most unlikely of people.

"This [reconciliation with God and the peace that comes through Christ's blood] includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies,..."

Moses wanted Pharaoh and the Egyptians to see that only Israel's God was truly God. Anything in addition to God was less. James Nored and Phil Ware look at Moses' showdown with Pharaoh to remind us that this was really a showdown to show who was truly God and our need to choose to follow him.

How can such a discovery, no matter how badly dirt-encrusted and stained, not be seen as a genuine treasure? Phil Ware tells us a simple story of a mother's love to remind how our Father sees us as his treasure.

Sometimes a single, short, straightforward passage from Proverbs gives us two gems to help us live fruitful and long lives! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to celebrate the greatness of Jesus our Lord and learn to live for him from others and help others learn to live for him, as well!

Our message points us to 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Paul's promise that if we are in Christ, we are a new creation! Phil Ware and Demetrius Collins invite us to worship God and celebrate the work of the Holy Spirit as we are transformed to be more like our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ as we trust in God to give us a new fresh start in life because of Jesus!

"Dear Father, source of our energy, We do hope in you because our Lord lives his life through us and blesses others through the genuine love which he..."

"For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by....."

"[Jesus] is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I..."

"For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in..."

"Dear Father, I am so thankful that in your love and wisdom you gave up your Son to reconcile us to yourself through his body of flesh offered in..."

Inspirational illustration of Colossians 1:19-20 -- For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace with his blood, shed on the cro

Despite all the challenges, Mary and Joseph accepted their part in salvation's plan and their faith brought us God's gift of love, his beloved Son, Jesus! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to call us to recognize God's great love in sending Jesus, the joy Jesus' birth brings, and the truth that Jesus is with us and for us in this

What do you do when things fracture between you and someone important to you? Phil Ware talks about what to do when relationships are shattered and how it feels easier to trade in those relationships for new ones, but asks if this is really smartest and if it honors Christ and our walk with God.

Because we could not be James Nored and Phil Ware remind us that we all needed Jesus' redemptive death on the cross so we could find new life in the grace of God.

You offer the invitation, and Jesus brings the blessing! Max Lucado reminds us that Christ is our hope and that we can invite him into our lives anew, and to stay, this Christmas.

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation."

"For by [Jesus] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things..."

"He [Jesus] is before all things, and in him all things hold together. "

"He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy."

"Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior."

"He has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation."

"Once you were alienated from God ... but now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and..."

"We proclaim him [Jesus], admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we present everyone perfect in Christ."

"We proclaim [Christ], admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ."

"Do you not feel in your own soul that perfection is not in you? Does not every day teach you that? Every tear which trickles from your eye, weeps..."

"Dear Father, Help me to continue in the faith by holding on to what you have given and by being stable and steadfast. Don't let anything move me away..."

Inspirational illustration of Colossians 1:15 -- He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Inspirational illustration of Colossians 1:15 NIV -- He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Inspirational illustration of Colossians 1:21 -- Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.

Inspirational illustration of Colossians 1:16 -- For by him [Jesus] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

Inspirational illustration of Colossians 1:20 nlt -- God in all fullness pleased live Christ, through reconciled everything made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross

Inspirational illustration of Colossians 1:22 -- [Once you were alienated from God...] but now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.

Inspirational illustration of Colossians 1:17 NIV -- He [Jesus] is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Inspirational illustration of Colossians 1:18 NIV -- He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

Moses wanted Pharaoh and the Egyptians to see that only Israel's God was truly God. Anything in addition to God was less. James Nored and Phil Ware look at Moses' showdown with Pharaoh to remind us that this was really a showdown to show who was truly God and our need to choose to follow him.

What's your toughtest word to spell in your lifestyle? One way to learn the art of reconciliation is to look at the word as meaning re-cancellation -- cancelling the debt, the sin, the hurt between us and another.

Surely this can't be done in the test tube or research laboratory? Jesus is much more than his DNA: even this hoax can't begin to explain Jesus as God's Son.

Why would Jesus face all that he faced when He could have stopped it with a word? Max Lucado reminds us of the gift Jesus gives us with the cross and resurrection.

A genuine disciple, and especially an apostle, follows the path of Jesus who gave up his life to seek, serve, and save the lost. James Nored in video, and Phil Ware using the Scriptures, remind us of the beauty and the cost to God of saving us and forgiving us, and giving us a new life.

Are you too hard on yourself? Perfectionism is not a godly trait, but a trait that makes life miserable and puts us out of balance.

What is most important for us to believe and do as disciples of Jesus, today? Phil Ware begins a series of messages on what is core, or what is at the heart of what we must believe and do to be true disciples of Jesus, today.

Where will we find Jesus in the middle of our messes? We will find the presence of Jesus in our lives when we are willing to be his presence in the lives of others.

Why are we on this trip? Phil Ware reminds us of our purpose of being on the journey and living for Jesus call and mission and vision in our lives.

If there is a God and he's out there, why doesn't he just get it over with and show himself to us? Why this need for faith? Phil Ware and James Nored share in word and video an idea about how we can truly understand God's greatness, glory, and grace even though we cannot understand everything about him.

"God has chosen you to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing..."

"Through him [Jesus] God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as..."

Inspirational illustration of Colossians 1:27-28 -- God has chosen you to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so

Our practice of omitting from the Lord's Great Commission is more likely based on our preference for the attractional model of doing church. Phil Ware continues his series on What is CORE focusing on the training -- teaching to obey -- element of the Great Commission.

Will we follow Jesus now that Christmas is over and the New Year approaches? We are called to live for Jesus after the Christmas lights quit twinkling.

The more I discover, the vast possibilities ahead yawn even wider before me. Melissa Troyer reminds us of the breathtaking partnership we have with Christ to remain in the process of transformation.

What is your unit of measurement? Bill Sherrill challenges us to judge our success based on our hearts and our service.

When all is said and done, what will you be? When we grow up, we want to be like Jesus!

Can Jesus really be born again? Christmas must be a reminder to us that we are honored to be Jesus everyday in a world that doesn't know him and his loving grace.

We have to follow the Lord, and Jesus promises to empower our becoming like him through the Holy Spirit. Phil Ware continues his series on Jesus and transformation and focuses today on our walking with Jesus each day in the gospels and learning his words and talking with him and taking on on his character and compassion as the Spirit transforms us.

So what can we do to bless our churches this next year as we thank God this year? Larry Davies offers a Thanksgiving check up for churches and their leaders as he explores things that make for healthy churches.

So do we make people think of Jesus? Phil Ware continues his series on What is Core by calling us to true discipleship, people being conformed to be like Jesus and living out the cross, burial, and resurrection in their lives.

What words do you most long to hear from Jesus today? Phil Ware continues his series called Beyond Bread and Wine and focuses on the three sets of words we most long to hear.

Have you lost your identity? Phil Ware challenges us to look at our identity built around the question of "Who are you?" and the answer framed by the work of Jesus.

What in the world are you living for, anyway? We have to have a mission for our families bigger than physical and financial goals, we have to have a spiritual mission.

All anyone wants to talk about is Jesus! Phil Ware concludes his series on Inviting Jesus back to church with this message on Jesus being our center.

Do we realize the grace of getting to tune our lives to Jesus? Phil Ware and James Nored remind us that the core of our faith is Jesus, that Christ is our defining note around whom all of us must tune our lives and recognize the grace of being called and transformed to be like him.

Do we realize the grace of getting to tune our lives to Jesus? Phil Ware and James Nored remind us that the core of our faith is Jesus, that Christ is our defining note around whom all of us must tune our lives and recognize the grace of being called and transformed to be like him.

Do we realize the grace of getting to tune our lives to Jesus? Phil Ware and James Nored remind us that the core of our faith is Jesus, that Christ is our defining note around whom all of us must tune our lives and recognize the grace of being called and transformed to be like him.

Why does the character we long to have take so long to develop? Phil Ware's first in a four article series on Jesus' work of transformation in us, this week, we are called to follow Jesus.

Is there something out there? What would it mean if there were? Scientists are forever searching the skies for alien life, but what does that mean to the Christian? Randy Becton shares his thoughts on extra-terrestrials, aliens, and God.

Why do we have to be the big fish in our small puddle? Phil Ware looks through The Jesus Window and is led to ask a question of all of us: just how big is our aquarium, just how big is our Jesus?

Are you playing religious games or are you really delivered? Phil Ware shares another insight from Colossians about deliverance from the dead-end alleys, the dark dungeons, and the pits that keep us trapped and reminds us how Jesus brings deliverance.

The Holy Spirit gives birth to Lord in the heart of each new Christian and longs to bring that new follower of Christ to full maturity in Jesus. Phil Ware challenges us to enter the mystery of the conception and birth of Jesus the Messiah with Mary and find ourselves caught up in the story of Jesus with her.

The Holy Spirit gives birth to Lord in the heart of each new Christian and longs to bring that new follower of Christ to full maturity in Jesus. Phil Ware challenges us to enter the mystery of the conception and birth of Jesus the Messiah with Mary and find ourselves caught up in the story of Jesus with her.

Jesus said this was the right thing for him to do! James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of an important reason to be baptized: not only was Jesus baptized, he also said it was the right thing to do and called on all his disciples to be baptized and baptizers.

Are we listening to what Jesus said? Phil Ware begins a series of messages on the Great Commission and Jesus' last words which must be our first priority.

We will exchange our mortal bodies for immortal bodies that are made for eternal glory! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to glorify God as we remember the encouraging future and forever-change we have in Jesus at his return in glory.

What should we expect of our leaders to help us reach maturity? Phil Ware addresses the issue of church leadership, hypocrisy, and consumerism by pointing leaders to Paul's example in Colossians of pointing people to Jesus, praying for their maturity, and trusting in Him to supply the power as Paul worked strenuously

God alone had earned the right to speak truth into their lives, compassion into their hearts, and righteousness into their behaviors. James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of the importance of the 10 Commandments and the two divine principles of God and Jesus and call us to live them in our daily lives.

We all need to discover that Jesus is not just alive and interceding for us at the right hand of God, but he is also present with us now as our resurrected Lord, Savior, and friend. Phil Ware shares how we can experience Jesus in our lives based on Jesus' promises and Matthew's story of Jesus in his Gospel.

We can't do it for everyone, but we can for at least our one! Phil Ware finishes his Just One series by calling us to help others find their one song.

Can you think of a more noble vision or a more compelling mission for us, the Lord's people, than to be Jesus' bodily presence to our fractured and fragmented world? James Nored and Phil Ware challenge us through words and video to embrace God's mission for us as the bodily presence of Jesus in the world.

Jesus longs to be born again into our world in me? Jesus wasn't just born into our world in the womb of Mary, but he longs to be born into our world again in each individual Christian the Holy Spirit gives birth to in the world.

Are we really willing to make Jesus the center of our life. Phil Ware reminds us that Jesus is the center of everything, our salvation, our time, our hope, but will we make Jesus the center of our lives?

I remain convicted that these passages give us the CORE of what we must believe and practice as Jesus' disciples. Phil Ware brings his series on 'What is CORE!' to a close, giving us a short summary to help us remember these three CORE passages and what they teach and call on us to do.

How can I take this bread and wine as someone worthy? Phil Ware reminds us that we share in The Supper, not because we are worthy of Jesus' sacrifice, but because we've been made worthy by his sacrifice!

How do we know what passages of Scripture are most essential? Phil Ware stops at the mid-point in his series on What is CORE to review and look forward to what is ahead.

How do we ever understand what the cross cost God? Phil Ware continues his series on Mary and her being a window to the heart of God.