Beyond-Natural Lives

Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. Colossians 3:10 (NLT)

Following Jesus was intended to be a process of healing coming to brokenness, a continual renewal of character and relationships. Nothing is more painstaking, life-giving and hope-producing than God's renewal process. Like a potter with clay, God is masterful in shaping His children into the image of His Son so that we live into the masterpieces of His that He had in mind when we were created in the first place - reflecting God's handiwork and character.

The New Testament book of Colossians was written to a church that was wide-eyed in discovering what it meant to be renewed in Jesus. in the book, Paul explains the treasures of the Gospel, the character of our master and the eternal purpose for which we were created. Simply put, God's desire for His followers has always been that they outlive their generation. Robert Lewis said it best in his book, The Church of Irresistable Influence:

Wthout practically attractive, spiritually compelling, proof positive lifesytles, what good are our claims and pronouncements of a life changing God? If wwe can't outlive the world...in our marriages, with our children, at work, with money, in our relationships, in the use of our time - why dare to speak of salvation and abundant life? Incarnation of the Word must proceed and empower the proclamation of the Word. (pages 60-61)

It really is true! We were recreated in Christ to live beyond-natural lives and to express beyond-natural character. It all starts this Sunday! We begin to unpack this great book of Colossians, diving into Colossians 1:1-8. It's Carlos DeVitis' favorite book of the Bible! We also have
baptisms this Sunday and some seriously crazy, "only God could have done that," stories of lives changed. You won't want to miss it!

I love being your pastor!