Colossians | Standing Firm

Scott Axtmann
March 1, 2015

In this message we begin a series going through the book of Colossians.  This sermon focuses on Colossians 1:1-8.  In this sermon Pastor Scott reminds us of the situation that the Colossians found themselves in.  They were pressured by their culture and peers to give into different beliefs, to mix their belief in Jesus with something else.  As Christians we are often not pressured because of our belief but because of the things we do not believe in.  We are encouraged to stand firm and stand on the Word of God that comes in grace and truth.  

Colossians | Prayer for the People

Scott Axtmann
March 8, 2015

We continue in our series of the book of Colossians by looking closer at Paul's prayer for the people in Colossians 1:8-12.   Pastor Scott takes a look at what it means to live a life worthy of the Lord and pleasing to Him.  God always loves us and accepts us but he does correct us to change us when we are going off track.  We are to have lives that bear fruit and declare the goodness and glory of God.  

Colossians | Two Kingdoms

Scott Axtmann
March 15, 2015

There are two kingdoms: the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light.  For many it is very jarring the moment we first realize there are two kingdoms, we live our lives ignorant of this fact and when Christ comes into our lives we see not only his kingdom but the kingdom of darkness.  In this message from Colossians 1:13, Pastor Scott takes us through some of the lies and deception of the kingdom of darkness. He also reminds us of the wonderful new kingdom that Jesus has brought us into.  

Colossians | Who is Jesus?

Scott Axtmann
April 19, 2015

When we think about Jesus our minds are usually immediately drawn to his work on earth.  His teaching, his miracles and ultimately his death & resurrection.  In Colossians 1:15-20 Paul writes to expand our thoughts about who Jesus is.  He is God the Creator & Sustainer of the universe.  We need to be filled with awe and wonder when we think about who Jesus is, all things were made by him and for him.  He is truly great!

Colossians | Presented Before Him

Scott Axtmann
April 26, 2015

In this message Pastor Scott preaches from Colossians 1:21-23.  We were all stuck in rebellion, alienated, hostile and doing evil works, but through Jesus' blood he has reconciled us.  Jesus is doing work in us so that we would be presented holy, blameless and above reproach before him.

Colossians | Living as Ministers

Scott Axtmann
May 3, 2015

To be a Christian is to be a Minister.  Maybe not a full-time pastor or missionary, but all Christians are ministers.  We are all minsters in our distinct, diverse ways.  We are all called to spread the gospel and play our roles.  In this message, Pastor Scott preaches from Colossians 1:24-29 about our call as ministers and the reality of our role in the kingdom of God.  

Colossians | Declaring War on Sin

Scott Axtmann
May 10, 2015

As Christians we need to be ready and guarded against any attempts to distract us with arguments and ideas that move us away from a simple faith in Jesus.  In this message, Pastor Scott looks at Colossians 2:1-5.  Paul is writing to the Colossians who are being deluded and tempted with plausible arguments that caused discouragement and a lack of unity.  Pastor Scott preaches about the theology of "easy believism"  that has attacked the Christian faith.  It's a view that keeps us from obedience and aligning our beliefs with how we live our lives.  He concludes by saying that we need to declare war on the sin in our lives.  

Colossians | Returning to Your First Love

Scott Axtmann
May 17, 2015

The essence of this message is about returning to your first love. In Colossians 2, Paul calls the people to walk with God the way they did at the start. Just as you received and just as you were taught in the early days of your walk so continue to walk now. Pastor Scott reminds us of that early ethos right after conversion and the call back. The reality is there are countless folks at Ren who at one time were so near to God but have grown cold, but we know the Spirit of God can break hearts and bring renewal. 

Colossians | Knowing the Gospel

Scott Axtmann
May 24, 2015

Understanding the message of the gospel is important for every believer in Jesus.  It protects us and provides us with discernment when faced with ideas contrary to it.  In this message from Colossians 2:8-10, Pastor Scott preaches about what the gospel is and why it's important that we know the message.  

Colossians | Raised from the Dead

Scott Axtmann
May 31, 2015

Our salvation does not come through our power or our works, but by the power of Jesus.  He has raised us from the dead, we are spiritually lifeless and destitute before his power comes into our lives.  In this message Pastor Scott reminds us that it is the work of Christ that cancels our record of debt, it is his work that has brought people out of the kingdom of darkness.  

Colossians | Beware of Spiritual Bullies

Scott Axtmann
June 7, 2015

In Colossians 2:16-23 Paul warns the people about the spiritual bullies that are oppressing and dragging them down.  The truth is that the church has found itself throughout history dealing with spiritual bullies that put unnecessary burdens on the people.  Pastor Scott reminds us of the different kinds of spiritual bullies and the lies and deception that come from these bullies.  

Colossians | Set Your Mind

Scott Axtmann
June 14, 2015

In Colossians 3:1-4 we are taught that we should not let our hearts & minds be occupied by the things of the world, but to set our minds on the things above.  In this message Pastor Scott unpacks the challenges of setting our minds on the things of God.  The reality is the world is moving in one direction and we are trying to move in the opposite direction.  We need to remember that it is a battle to set our minds on Jesus.  

Colossians | Putting Sin Away

Scott Axtmann
June 21, 2015

Pastor Scott begins this message with a reflection and prayer on the church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina.  He then preaches from Colossians 3:5-9 about how God wants us to put away all evil practices and thoughts from our minds & lives.  What do these things look like in our lives and how do we battle against them?  Why is it so important to battle against these earthly temptations?

Colossians | Our Common Identity

Scott Axtmann
June 28, 2015

When we become new in Christ He renews our minds to begin to think like God does. In the family of God there are no distinctions and categories that separate and divide. The Gospel demolishes racism and prejudice and bigotry. The Spirit awakens the heart to see all people as created equal, all people as made in God's image, all people as sacred. Jesus taught us to"Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." (Luke 6:27-28) This kind of love can break the cycle of racism one person at a time. In this message Pastor Scott preaches from Colossians 3:9-11 talking about all this and especially how in the church all our differences fade as we realize our common identity in Christ. 

Colossians | Importance of Forgiveness

Scott Axtmann
July 5, 2015

Many Christians get tripped up on their walk with Jesus through not forgiving those that have wronged them.  Although it's not as overt as lust, pride, anger, this can lead to a bitterness that tramples on our joy, love and satisfaction in God.  In this message from Colossians 3:12-15, Pastor Scott preaches about the importance of forgiveness.  Jesus was wronged himself but he responded with meekness instead of anger or bitterness.  We need to ask God to flood our hearts with His love so that we can truly forgive from our hearts those that have hurt us.  

Colossians | Dwelling with Christ

Scott Axtmann
July 12, 2015

Pastor Scott walks us through Colossians 3:16 which commands us to let the word of God dwell in us richly.  It is important for us to have a posture to not just hear or read the word of God but to receive it.  Through the Scriptures we are not simply gaining stories, sayings or knowledge but we should be seeing and experiencing the revelation of Jesus through the Holy Spirit.  

Colossians | Everything in Jesus' Name

Scott Axtmann
July 19, 2015

Pastor Scott preaches on Colossians 3:17 reminding us to do everything in the name of Jesus.  What does it mean to do everything in His name?  We direct our thoughts upward, we cultivate a life of thankfulness, we realize the power needed to act and think like Jesus flows from God and not ourselves.  

Colossians | Everyday Living

Scott Axtmann
July 26, 2015

After instructing Christians to do everything in the name of Jesus, the Apostle Paul brings the instruction down to their everyday lives.  The good news of Jesus affects our marriages, our parenting and our work.  Pastor Scott unpacks Colossians 3:18-4:1 touching on these topics along with the issues of submission and slavery.  

Colossians | The Beauty of Prayer

Scott Axtmann
August 9, 2015

Prayer is an essential practice of the Christian faith.  Although there are different denominations and Christian groups, we all agree that prayer is important.  But when we really look at the lives of Christians we find that many struggle to pray, finding it unenjoyable, finding it uneventful.  In this message from Colossians 4:2 Pastor Scott implores us to see the beauty and value of prayer.  Prayer is the development of a deep, intimate relationship with God.  Prayer is where we realize that God really is our Father and we can come to him to ask, to listen, to just be with Him.  

Colossians | Open Doors

Scott Axtmann
August 16, 2015

One of the things we've realized throughout the history of Ren is that when we step out into places, conversations, or neighborhoods God always opens doors for us to share who we are and what Jesus is doing in our lives and our community.  In this message from Colossians 4:3-6 Pastor Scott preaches about the open doors God provides to share the Gospel.  It is important for us to realize that people around us are lost and far from God and we've been put in our workplaces, our neighborhoods, our families for a reason and a purpose.  

Colossians | Treating Church Like Family

Scott Axtmann
August 30, 2015

In this final message in the Colossians series, Pastor Scott preaches from Colossians 4:7-18.  In these verses we learn about faithful people who were serving and loving the church in Colossae.  Through this passage we are reminded that in churches there are Faithful Servants who serve and love well their brothers and sisters in Christ.  Also, when it comes to pastors there is a calling and burden in ministry that calls pastors to pray, to love and to act like a shepherd.  Finally, for all of us there is the call to endurance to stick with the local church in all seasons of life.