Colossians 1:16, For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.


"It was totally unexpected to find old stars in a very young universe. The standard models of cosmology and galaxy formation have been incredibly successful, yet, these luminous objects do not quite fit comfortably into those theories." - Bingjie Wang – Postdoctoral Scholar, Penn State University


"We have all these puzzle pieces, and they only fit if we ignore the fact that some of them are breaking. This problem is amenable to a stroke of genius that has so far eluded us, all of our collaborators, and the entire scientific community.” - Joel Leja – Assistant Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Penn State University


Exodus 20:11, For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.


Hebrews 4:9,10, So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

Colossians 1:18, And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.


Historical facts about the resurrection:
1. Jesus was crucified and died on the cross.

2. Jesus was buried in a tomb which was found empty a few days after.

3. The disciples encountered a person they believed to be Jesus.


“…Once one removes the requirement that some non-supernatural explanation must be true, it seems clear to me that the theory that Jesus rose from the dead is a much more plausible explanation than any of the other ones.” - Daniel Ang


Colossians 3:11, Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Big idea: As the head of God’s church, Jesus Christ must remain the focal point of our church.


1) Magnify the name of Christ alone.

Philippians 2:9, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name…


Galatians 6:14, But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…


2) Embrace God’s purposes for the church.

Colossians 1:20,21, …Through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death…


Purpose #1 = salvation

Revelation 21:4, He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.


The church is an emergency room, not a country club.


II Corinthians 5:19,20, …In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.


Purpose #2 = sanctification

Colossians 1:22, …In order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him…


The church is an equipping agency, not an entertainment venue.


I Timothy 3:15, …You will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.


Ephesians 4:11,12, And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry…

What is God saying to you?

What are you going to do about it?