News & Updates https://www.colossian-demo.website Thu, 28 Mar 2024 19:57:03 -0500 http://churchplantmedia.com/ Come Hungry, Leave Full https://www.colossian-demo.website/blog/post/come-hungry-leave-full https://www.colossian-demo.website/blog/post/come-hungry-leave-full#comments Thu, 08 Oct 2020 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.colossian-demo.website/blog/post/come-hungry-leave-full This is a phrase that you will often hear our pastors say: "Come Hungry, Leave Full." They want you to come to all of our gatherings hungry for God's Word. And they want you to look forward to the teaching as a "Gospel banquet" knowing that you will walk away filled up with Good News for your weary soul.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." (Matthew 5:6)

Although we always have free coffee and fresh bagels for every morning Service and Bible Study, the hope is that you will be looking forward to more than just the baked goods (even though they are always tasty). But rest assured, every time we open the doors, the Gospel of Jesus will always be on the menu!

Jesus tells us, "For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world… I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst… Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." (John 6:33-35, 47-51)

Every week we offer a number of different activities and Bible Study options where people can gather around God's Word to hear from Him and love their neighbor. Always feel free to invite people who might not attend our church. The best place to start is usually our Christianity 101 Course (offered regularly). We also offer a Bible Study every week for students, men, and women, in addition to our corporate Bible Study on Sundays.

So… "Come Hungry & Leave Full."

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This is a phrase that you will often hear our pastors say: "Come Hungry, Leave Full." They want you to come to all of our gatherings hungry for God's Word. And they want you to look forward to the teaching as a "Gospel banquet" knowing that you will walk away filled up with Good News for your weary soul.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." (Matthew 5:6)

Although we always have free coffee and fresh bagels for every morning Service and Bible Study, the hope is that you will be looking forward to more than just the baked goods (even though they are always tasty). But rest assured, every time we open the doors, the Gospel of Jesus will always be on the menu!

Jesus tells us, "For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world… I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst… Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." (John 6:33-35, 47-51)

Every week we offer a number of different activities and Bible Study options where people can gather around God's Word to hear from Him and love their neighbor. Always feel free to invite people who might not attend our church. The best place to start is usually our Christianity 101 Course (offered regularly). We also offer a Bible Study every week for students, men, and women, in addition to our corporate Bible Study on Sundays.

So… "Come Hungry & Leave Full."

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Why We Meet On Sunday https://www.colossian-demo.website/blog/post/why-we-meet-on-sunday https://www.colossian-demo.website/blog/post/why-we-meet-on-sunday#comments Sun, 20 Sep 2020 02:00:00 -0500 https://www.colossian-demo.website/blog/post/why-we-meet-on-sunday Something special happened this year that has only happened 5 times in the last 106 years and it will not happen again for another 141 years! The special event I am referring to connects this year's Good Friday (March 25) and Easter Sunday (March 27) all the way back to the teaching of the Early Church. And possibly even to the actual dates and days of the week that Jesus died and rose again!

You see, many of the Church Fathers believed Jesus died on the very same day the virgin Mary "became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 1:18). Then exactly 9 months later, she would give birth to Jesus on Christmas morning (December 25). Although there has been much disagreement and dispute over the actual dates of the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus, it is always interesting to look back at what our forefathers in the faith believed to be true.

Even though Bible scholars may not agree on the actual DATES, almost everyone agrees on the actual DAYS of the week. The Gospel of Mark clearly tells us that Jesus died and was buried on a Friday (Mark 15:42-47), that His body would be in the tomb three days (Mark 8:31)—from Friday until Sunday, and that He rose on "the first day of the week" (Mark 16:2-6). But don't just take Mark's word for it, all of the Gospels agree that Jesus rose from the dead on a Sunday (Matthew 28:1-3; Luke 24:1-7; John 20:1-9).

Then in the Acts of the Apostles we see the first Christians gathering together "on the first day of the week" (Acts 20:7). And later the Apostle Paul instructed that "on the first day of the week" (1 Corinthians 16:2) when they gathered together, that a collection should be taken to provide for the spread of the Gospel. By the time the first book of church order was written in the 1st Century, Sunday was already being called the "Lord's Day" after the day Jesus rose from the grave (Didache 14:1).

So why do we meet on Sunday morning? As "Gospel People" we join with our brothers and sisters around the world and across the ages to gather on the same day that Jesus rose, to remember His life, death, and resurrection.

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Something special happened this year that has only happened 5 times in the last 106 years and it will not happen again for another 141 years! The special event I am referring to connects this year's Good Friday (March 25) and Easter Sunday (March 27) all the way back to the teaching of the Early Church. And possibly even to the actual dates and days of the week that Jesus died and rose again!

You see, many of the Church Fathers believed Jesus died on the very same day the virgin Mary "became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 1:18). Then exactly 9 months later, she would give birth to Jesus on Christmas morning (December 25). Although there has been much disagreement and dispute over the actual dates of the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus, it is always interesting to look back at what our forefathers in the faith believed to be true.

Even though Bible scholars may not agree on the actual DATES, almost everyone agrees on the actual DAYS of the week. The Gospel of Mark clearly tells us that Jesus died and was buried on a Friday (Mark 15:42-47), that His body would be in the tomb three days (Mark 8:31)—from Friday until Sunday, and that He rose on "the first day of the week" (Mark 16:2-6). But don't just take Mark's word for it, all of the Gospels agree that Jesus rose from the dead on a Sunday (Matthew 28:1-3; Luke 24:1-7; John 20:1-9).

Then in the Acts of the Apostles we see the first Christians gathering together "on the first day of the week" (Acts 20:7). And later the Apostle Paul instructed that "on the first day of the week" (1 Corinthians 16:2) when they gathered together, that a collection should be taken to provide for the spread of the Gospel. By the time the first book of church order was written in the 1st Century, Sunday was already being called the "Lord's Day" after the day Jesus rose from the grave (Didache 14:1).

So why do we meet on Sunday morning? As "Gospel People" we join with our brothers and sisters around the world and across the ages to gather on the same day that Jesus rose, to remember His life, death, and resurrection.

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Christianity 101: GIFT https://www.colossian-demo.website/blog/post/christianity-101-gift https://www.colossian-demo.website/blog/post/christianity-101-gift#comments Tue, 01 Sep 2020 16:00:00 -0500 https://www.colossian-demo.website/blog/post/christianity-101-gift Do you or your friends have questions about the Christian faith? Have you ever wondered if you are "good enough" to get to Heaven? Or are you convinced that God could never forgive you for all of the bad things you've done? Are you interested in what the Bible has to say about all of those things?

These questions are why we teach through Christianity 101 on a regular basis. During the course, we take four Wednesday nights to look at four words from the Bible that help us understand what Christianity is all about. These four words make up the acronym GIFT, which we believe is the sum and substance of Christianity.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the GIFT of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Here are those four words and what we will be discussing each week…

G = God's Law

WEEK 1: We will discuss how we have all broken the 10 Commandments and deserve God's punishment. God is the holy Creator and He gave us His holy Law to keep, but we've all broken it and deserve His punishment.

I = Immanuel

WEEK 2: We will discuss how God is with us in Jesus (Immanuel) and how He took our punishment on the cross and rose again. "God with us" in Jesus Christ; He kept God's Law, died in our place, and rose from the dead.

F = Forgiveness

WEEK 3: We will discuss how when we confess our sins, God gives us mercy and He forgives our sins in Jesus. We will discover that if we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive and cleanse us through the blood of Jesus.

T = Thanksgiving

WEEK 4: We will discuss how our response to this unearned free gift is simply to say "thank you" forever. Having been forgiven from all our sins in Jesus, we now live a life of thankful service because He first served us.

Please contact the church office to see when the next Christianity 101 is meeting. For each of the four weeks, we provide a free meal and childcare for whoever is interested in attending. All we ask is that you give us a heads up before you come, so we know how much food to make… Thanks!

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Do you or your friends have questions about the Christian faith? Have you ever wondered if you are "good enough" to get to Heaven? Or are you convinced that God could never forgive you for all of the bad things you've done? Are you interested in what the Bible has to say about all of those things?

These questions are why we teach through Christianity 101 on a regular basis. During the course, we take four Wednesday nights to look at four words from the Bible that help us understand what Christianity is all about. These four words make up the acronym GIFT, which we believe is the sum and substance of Christianity.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the GIFT of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Here are those four words and what we will be discussing each week…

G = God's Law

WEEK 1: We will discuss how we have all broken the 10 Commandments and deserve God's punishment. God is the holy Creator and He gave us His holy Law to keep, but we've all broken it and deserve His punishment.

I = Immanuel

WEEK 2: We will discuss how God is with us in Jesus (Immanuel) and how He took our punishment on the cross and rose again. "God with us" in Jesus Christ; He kept God's Law, died in our place, and rose from the dead.

F = Forgiveness

WEEK 3: We will discuss how when we confess our sins, God gives us mercy and He forgives our sins in Jesus. We will discover that if we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive and cleanse us through the blood of Jesus.

T = Thanksgiving

WEEK 4: We will discuss how our response to this unearned free gift is simply to say "thank you" forever. Having been forgiven from all our sins in Jesus, we now live a life of thankful service because He first served us.

Please contact the church office to see when the next Christianity 101 is meeting. For each of the four weeks, we provide a free meal and childcare for whoever is interested in attending. All we ask is that you give us a heads up before you come, so we know how much food to make… Thanks!

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5 Ways God Loves Us https://www.colossian-demo.website/blog/post/5-ways-god-loves-us https://www.colossian-demo.website/blog/post/5-ways-god-loves-us#comments Mon, 29 Jun 2020 05:00:00 -0500 https://www.colossian-demo.website/blog/post/5-ways-god-loves-us At our church, we like to say we are "Gospel People." This means we believe the good news about Jesus in light of the bad news about us. The bad news is that we have all blown it and none of us is perfect. But the good news is that Jesus lived a perfect life, died a sinless death, and rose from the grave as a free gift.

We also like to say that every day is Christmas and the "present" is forgiveness! You see, none of us earned it and none of us deserves it. And we think that is good news!

To help you receive the gift of God's love in Jesus, here are five ways God loves us.

1. As enemies of God, we have been reconciled with God.

"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." (Romans 5:6-11)

2. As Law-breakers, we have been justified by the Law-giver.

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." (Romans 3:23-26)

3. As prodigal sinners, we have been forgiven by a prodigal God.

"But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate." (Luke 15:22-24)

4. As bad people, we have been baptized into the death of Jesus.

"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his." (Romans 6:3-5)

5. As the unrighteous, we have been given Christ's righteousness.

"Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous." (Romans 5:18-19)

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At our church, we like to say we are "Gospel People." This means we believe the good news about Jesus in light of the bad news about us. The bad news is that we have all blown it and none of us is perfect. But the good news is that Jesus lived a perfect life, died a sinless death, and rose from the grave as a free gift.

We also like to say that every day is Christmas and the "present" is forgiveness! You see, none of us earned it and none of us deserves it. And we think that is good news!

To help you receive the gift of God's love in Jesus, here are five ways God loves us.

1. As enemies of God, we have been reconciled with God.

"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." (Romans 5:6-11)

2. As Law-breakers, we have been justified by the Law-giver.

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." (Romans 3:23-26)

3. As prodigal sinners, we have been forgiven by a prodigal God.

"But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate." (Luke 15:22-24)

4. As bad people, we have been baptized into the death of Jesus.

"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his." (Romans 6:3-5)

5. As the unrighteous, we have been given Christ's righteousness.

"Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous." (Romans 5:18-19)

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5 Ways We Love Others https://www.colossian-demo.website/blog/post/5-ways-we-love-others https://www.colossian-demo.website/blog/post/5-ways-we-love-others#comments Thu, 14 May 2020 04:00:00 -0500 https://www.colossian-demo.website/blog/post/5-ways-we-love-others At our church, we like to say we are "Grateful People." This means we thank God in private and we thank God in public. We thank God when we have little and we thank God when we have a lot because He provides it all. Our biggest need has been met in Jesus, so we turn to Him and say "thank you."

This is why we gather together every week (Hebrews 10:23-25). We express our thanks with a warm hug and hearty handshake. We express our thanks in prayer and singing. And we express our thanks by receiving. And after we receive good gifts from God, we turn and love our neighbor. We believe we have been blessed to be a blessing.

To help you give the gift of God's love, here are five ways we love our neighbor.

1. Having been reconciled, we seek reconciliation.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)

2. Having been justified, we remind others of the Gospel.

"Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

3. Having been forgiven, we ask others for forgiveness.

"Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.' For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:9-15)

4. Having been baptized, we wash others with the Word.

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:25-27)

5. Having been given all of Christ, we freely give to all.

"The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, 'He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.' He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:6-15)

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At our church, we like to say we are "Grateful People." This means we thank God in private and we thank God in public. We thank God when we have little and we thank God when we have a lot because He provides it all. Our biggest need has been met in Jesus, so we turn to Him and say "thank you."

This is why we gather together every week (Hebrews 10:23-25). We express our thanks with a warm hug and hearty handshake. We express our thanks in prayer and singing. And we express our thanks by receiving. And after we receive good gifts from God, we turn and love our neighbor. We believe we have been blessed to be a blessing.

To help you give the gift of God's love, here are five ways we love our neighbor.

1. Having been reconciled, we seek reconciliation.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)

2. Having been justified, we remind others of the Gospel.

"Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

3. Having been forgiven, we ask others for forgiveness.

"Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.' For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:9-15)

4. Having been baptized, we wash others with the Word.

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:25-27)

5. Having been given all of Christ, we freely give to all.

"The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, 'He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.' He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:6-15)

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52 Questions & Answers https://www.colossian-demo.website/blog/post/52-questions-and-answers https://www.colossian-demo.website/blog/post/52-questions-and-answers#comments Sat, 25 Apr 2020 18:00:00 -0500 https://www.colossian-demo.website/blog/post/52-questions-and-answers "What is our only hope in life and death? That we are not our own but belong, body and soul, both in life and death, to God and to our Savior Jesus Christ." Thus begins the New City Catechism, a joint adult and children's catechism consisting of 52 questions and answers adapted by Timothy Keller and Sam Shammas.

During our Sunday Service every week, our church corporately confesses that week's question and answer. We then encourage people to memorize both during the week using either the iPad app or website, which provides a Bible verse, a brief commentary, a video from a respected pastor, and a short prayer with each question and answer. With these helpful resources, the New City Catechism is a great weekly devotional.


New City Catechism iPad App - The New City Catechism app provides a set of fun, simple, and elegant tools for memorization. The app allows kids to track their progress and view kid-friendly versions of the catechism answers. It also allows adults to see rich, expanded content, and dig into the depths of each question and answer. Choose between NIV or ESV for Scripture text.

New City Catechism Website - Like the app, the New City Catechism website allows you to watch videos from contemporary preachers (e.g. Don Carson, Mark Dever, Timothy Keller, John Piper, etc.) exploring the catechism answers. Read a teaching from a historical preacher (e.g. Augustine, Edwards, Spurgeon, Wesley, etc.) for each question and answer and pray suggested historical prayers.

New City Catechism PDF - A free PDF featuring all 52 questions and answers.


Q1: What is our only hope in life and death?

That we are not our own but belong, body and soul, both in life and death, to God and to our Savior Jesus Christ.

 

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"What is our only hope in life and death? That we are not our own but belong, body and soul, both in life and death, to God and to our Savior Jesus Christ." Thus begins the New City Catechism, a joint adult and children's catechism consisting of 52 questions and answers adapted by Timothy Keller and Sam Shammas.

During our Sunday Service every week, our church corporately confesses that week's question and answer. We then encourage people to memorize both during the week using either the iPad app or website, which provides a Bible verse, a brief commentary, a video from a respected pastor, and a short prayer with each question and answer. With these helpful resources, the New City Catechism is a great weekly devotional.


New City Catechism iPad App - The New City Catechism app provides a set of fun, simple, and elegant tools for memorization. The app allows kids to track their progress and view kid-friendly versions of the catechism answers. It also allows adults to see rich, expanded content, and dig into the depths of each question and answer. Choose between NIV or ESV for Scripture text.

New City Catechism Website - Like the app, the New City Catechism website allows you to watch videos from contemporary preachers (e.g. Don Carson, Mark Dever, Timothy Keller, John Piper, etc.) exploring the catechism answers. Read a teaching from a historical preacher (e.g. Augustine, Edwards, Spurgeon, Wesley, etc.) for each question and answer and pray suggested historical prayers.

New City Catechism PDF - A free PDF featuring all 52 questions and answers.


Q1: What is our only hope in life and death?

That we are not our own but belong, body and soul, both in life and death, to God and to our Savior Jesus Christ.

 

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Good News To Go https://www.colossian-demo.website/blog/post/good-news-to-go https://www.colossian-demo.website/blog/post/good-news-to-go#comments Tue, 07 Apr 2020 08:00:00 -0500 https://www.colossian-demo.website/blog/post/good-news-to-go Author and Illusionist, Penn Jillette, the speaking half of the world-famous Emmy Award­-winning magic duo Penn & Teller, is also an outspoken atheist. But believe it or not, a few years ago he posted a YouTube video exhorting Christians to share their faith. His video was in response to receiving a Bible.

Penn & Teller headline their own show in Las Vegas in a theater named after the duo. Although their shows are marked by foul language and shocking illusions, they are always entertaining. After one of their performances, Jillette was signing autographs when he noticed a large man standing to the side of the crowd. When the man walked up to Jillette, he shared a number of very kind and encouraging compliments and then handed him a New Testament saying, "I'm a businessman. I'm sane. I'm not crazy…"

Although Jillette was raised in the church, he has been a committed atheist for almost 50 years. He has even written a few books about it. But this man so touched him with kindness and generosity, that he turned to YouTube to share the following thoughts.

"If you believe that there's a heaven and hell and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life or whatever, and you think that it's not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward, and atheists who think that people shouldn't proselytize—'Just leave me alone, keep your religion to yourself.'—How much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that? If I believed beyond a shadow of a doubt that a truck was coming at you and you didn't believe it and that truck was bearing down on you, there's a certain point where I tackle you. And this is more important than that."

We could not agree more. This is why we do our "GO Saturday" outreach right after the Men's Breakfast on the first Saturday of every month. Just like the interaction with the Gideons New Testament, we always have a stack of Christianity 101 invitations, GIFT tracts, and the Gospel of John, just to give away as our free gift to everyone we connect with.

Please pray for Penn Jillette and please pray for everyone we will encounter during our "GO Saturday" outreaches. But please consider joining us. We usually use our "Guardians of the Gospel" meetings on Sunday nights to prepare to share. And even though it is a Student Ministry, all are welcome. But above all else, please pray for us…

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:2-6)

Here is the whole video testimony from Penn Jillette in early 2009.

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Author and Illusionist, Penn Jillette, the speaking half of the world-famous Emmy Award­-winning magic duo Penn & Teller, is also an outspoken atheist. But believe it or not, a few years ago he posted a YouTube video exhorting Christians to share their faith. His video was in response to receiving a Bible.

Penn & Teller headline their own show in Las Vegas in a theater named after the duo. Although their shows are marked by foul language and shocking illusions, they are always entertaining. After one of their performances, Jillette was signing autographs when he noticed a large man standing to the side of the crowd. When the man walked up to Jillette, he shared a number of very kind and encouraging compliments and then handed him a New Testament saying, "I'm a businessman. I'm sane. I'm not crazy…"

Although Jillette was raised in the church, he has been a committed atheist for almost 50 years. He has even written a few books about it. But this man so touched him with kindness and generosity, that he turned to YouTube to share the following thoughts.

"If you believe that there's a heaven and hell and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life or whatever, and you think that it's not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward, and atheists who think that people shouldn't proselytize—'Just leave me alone, keep your religion to yourself.'—How much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that? If I believed beyond a shadow of a doubt that a truck was coming at you and you didn't believe it and that truck was bearing down on you, there's a certain point where I tackle you. And this is more important than that."

We could not agree more. This is why we do our "GO Saturday" outreach right after the Men's Breakfast on the first Saturday of every month. Just like the interaction with the Gideons New Testament, we always have a stack of Christianity 101 invitations, GIFT tracts, and the Gospel of John, just to give away as our free gift to everyone we connect with.

Please pray for Penn Jillette and please pray for everyone we will encounter during our "GO Saturday" outreaches. But please consider joining us. We usually use our "Guardians of the Gospel" meetings on Sunday nights to prepare to share. And even though it is a Student Ministry, all are welcome. But above all else, please pray for us…

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:2-6)

Here is the whole video testimony from Penn Jillette in early 2009.

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Fill Bowls, Fight Hunger https://www.colossian-demo.website/blog/post/fill-bowls-fight-hunger https://www.colossian-demo.website/blog/post/fill-bowls-fight-hunger#comments Sun, 29 Mar 2020 03:00:00 -0500 https://www.colossian-demo.website/blog/post/fill-bowls-fight-hunger What can you buy with your spare change? Maybe something in the checkout line or a video game at an arcade. How about a full meal for an orphan? That's right. We are excited to be partnering with Rice Bowls to help feed orphans in 52 orphanages in 8 countries around the world.

You may have seen the little brown bowls on our coffee bar or in our bookstore. Or your student may have brought a bowl home and it is sitting on your table. Either way, wherever you see those bowls, please fill them full of change and bring them back to the church on our next Family Fun Night. If you fill the bowl full of change and bills, it will feed a child for an entire month.

The heartbreaking truth is, every few seconds, an orphan will die from malnutrition. And malnutrition plays a part in more than half of all child deaths worldwide. Let's make some change by filling bowls and fighting hunger!

Still not sure if you can spare any change? Let's look to God's Word…

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction…" (James 1:27)

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another… Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'" (Matthew 25:31-40)

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What can you buy with your spare change? Maybe something in the checkout line or a video game at an arcade. How about a full meal for an orphan? That's right. We are excited to be partnering with Rice Bowls to help feed orphans in 52 orphanages in 8 countries around the world.

You may have seen the little brown bowls on our coffee bar or in our bookstore. Or your student may have brought a bowl home and it is sitting on your table. Either way, wherever you see those bowls, please fill them full of change and bring them back to the church on our next Family Fun Night. If you fill the bowl full of change and bills, it will feed a child for an entire month.

The heartbreaking truth is, every few seconds, an orphan will die from malnutrition. And malnutrition plays a part in more than half of all child deaths worldwide. Let's make some change by filling bowls and fighting hunger!

Still not sure if you can spare any change? Let's look to God's Word…

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction…" (James 1:27)

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another… Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'" (Matthew 25:31-40)

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