Colossians 1:25
“God has given me the responsibility of serving His church by proclaiming his entire message to you.”
Paul wrote to the church in Colossae during his first imprisonment in Rome around 60-62 AD. He had never been to Colossae, and he received a report that the church was struggling. False teachers had come in and were denying the deity of Jesus, saying He was not equal to God. As Believers we know that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit form the trinity. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. They are co-equals, co-existent, and co-eternal. Jesus is above all things and has been given all authority by God.
This scripture passage gives us a glimpse into the weight and love Paul felt for the early churches. He wanted to make sure the truth about Jesus was being taught, that people were applying these truths to their lives and being cared for, and that the churches were growing in healthy ways while positively impacting their communities.
Throughout all of his letters there are some common themes:
Paul spoke truth, he showed up through his writings, invested in the churches and gave thanks.
If NewHope is your faith community, you get to participate in these themes too.
Speak Truth: You learn truth by studying God’s word and then applying what you learned to your own life. People are watching how you live, the words you speak, the tone of your voice and your actions. Everywhere you go be a speaker of truth that points others to Jesus. Are you living what you claim to believe as a follower of Jesus?
Show Up: You get to be present with other followers of Jesus and those seeking truth. You show up when life is bitter or sweet, when you’re overwhelmed or at peace. What does it look like for you to be present with others?
Invested: From the moment someone clicks on our website or pulls into the parking lot for the first time, they see you, the one invested in spreading the message of Jesus and welcoming people exactly as they are. As you give of your time, resources, share love, grace and wisdom and life experiences, collectively we continue to write the story of NewHope through ALL of the many volunteers who show up week after week! What if 2025 was the year you became invested so others could encounter God and find hope?
Give Thanks: We give thanks to God for His faithfulness and goodness, and we believe He will continue to be faithful and good. We look to 2025, full of anticipation for what God will do in us and through us. We give thanks for each one of you and this beautiful community of Christ followers as we seek to grow in wisdom, love, truth and encounter God in deeper ways.