In this sermon on Colossians 4:2-6, Pastor Bart Blair discusses the importance of making Jesus the nucleus of our lives and the center of our stories. He emphasizes three main points:
1. Pray for open doors: Christians should devote themselves to prayer, staying alert and thankful. We should pray for opportunities to share our faith, even in difficult circumstances, as Paul did while in chains.
2. Approach conversations with grace: Our speech should always be gracious and "seasoned with salt" (Colossians 4:6), meaning we should carefully consider how to engage with non-believers in a way that makes them want to hear more about Jesus.
3. Be ready to share your story: The pastor encourages believers to be prepared to explain the hope they have in Christ, as Peter instructs in 1 Peter 3:15. He suggests that the best way to lead someone to Jesus is often by sharing how He has impacted our own lives.
Pastor Blair concludes by challenging the congregation to examine how often they talk about Jesus in their daily lives, as this reveals how central He truly is to them.

In this sermon, Pastor Bart Blair continues his exploration of God's "house rules" for relationships, building on his previous discussion of marriage. Using Colossians 3:20-4:1 as his text, he examines parent-child and employer-employee relationships.
Blair emphasizes that Jesus should be the nucleus of all relationships, with concentric circles representing different types of relationships emanating from that center. He discusses the Biblical command for children to obey their parents, noting that this obedience transitions to honor as children become adults. For parents, particularly fathers, Blair stresses the importance of not exasperating their children and instead nurturing their God-given potential.
Regarding work relationships, Blair applies Paul's instructions to slaves and masters to modern employer-employee dynamics. He encourages employees to work as if serving the Lord, seeing their workplace as a mission field. For employers, he stresses the importance of treating employees with fairness and compassion. Throughout, Blair emphasizes the need for all believers to embody qualities like compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience in their relationships.

In this sermon, Pastor Bart delves into Colossians 3:1-17, focusing on the theme of renewing one's mind and actions as a follower of Christ. He uses the analogy of choosing the right "coach" to illustrate the internal struggle between listening to the Holy Spirit and giving in to our sinful nature. The pastor emphasizes the need for believers to actively "put to death" their old selves and embrace their new identity in Christ.
Pastor Bart discusses the importance of setting one's mind on heavenly things and resisting the cultural flow that leads away from God. He explains the concept of "phantom pain" - the lingering effects of our old sinful nature even after we've died to sin - and encourages believers to continually choose to follow Christ's teachings. The sermon also highlights the importance of unity in the church, cultivating positive attributes like love, forgiveness, and gratitude, and living every aspect of life in a way that honors Jesus.
The pastor concludes with practical commitments for the church community, including creating a grace-filled environment for open discussion, studying the Bible together, practicing forgiveness, and holding each other accountable in love. He also provides homework suggestions for listeners to apply the sermon's teachings in their daily lives.

Bear Creek Community Church is a new church plant in Lavon, TX. Learn more at www.bc3.church

This sermon delves into Paul's letter to the Colossians, specifically focusing on Chapter 2, verses 16-23. The speaker begins by reflecting on a recent podcast about young adults' perceptions of church, highlighting common issues like feeling judged and overwhelmed by rules.

The sermon then explores how Paul addresses similar concerns in the early church at Colossae. Paul warns against legalism, asceticism, and the worship of angels, emphasizing that these practices are merely shadows compared to the substance found in Christ. The speaker explains how Paul critiques the idea that following strict rules or severe self-discipline makes one holier or closer to God.

Throughout the message, the speaker draws parallels between the challenges faced by the early church and those experienced by modern Christians. He emphasizes that Christianity is fundamentally about a relationship with Jesus, not about adhering to a set of rules. The sermon challenges listeners to reflect on their own beliefs and practices, encouraging them to examine whether they have inadvertently created rules that they believe define a "good Christian."

The speaker uses relatable analogies, such as comparing religious rules to disposable utensils, to illustrate the temporary and ultimately unfulfilling nature of legalism. He also addresses common doubts and questions about faith, reassuring listeners that it's okay to wrestle with difficult concepts.

The sermon concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to identify any self-imposed rules they may have created and to pray over them, seeking to prioritize their relationship with Jesus above rule-following. The overall message encourages a shift from a religion based on regulations to a faith centered on a genuine connection with Christ.

In this insightful sermon, Pastor Bart Blair delves into Colossians 2:8-15, unpacking powerful truths about our salvation through Jesus Christ. The main message is clear: stop trying to pay for something that's already been paid for. Through faith in Jesus, we have been set free from the burden of religious rules and practices, and we no longer need to strive to earn God's approval.

Pastor Bart provides historical context for the Colossian church, explaining how they were grappling with various philosophical influences and religious practices that were detracting from the simplicity of the gospel. He emphasizes that Jesus is the fullness of God in human form, and through Him, we have access to the Father. No other intermediaries or spiritual beings are necessary.

One of the key points Pastor Bart makes is that when we come to faith in Christ, God performs a spiritual circumcision, cutting away our sinful nature. However, he acknowledges the struggle we still face with sin, likening it to phantom pain in an amputated limb. He encourages us to starve our sinful nature and feed our spiritual nature to grow in holiness.

The sermon also highlights the significance of baptism as a public declaration of our identification with Christ's death and resurrection. Through this powerful act, we demonstrate that our old self has been buried with Christ, and we have been raised to new life by the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.

Central to Pastor Bart's message is the concept of our spiritual debt being canceled through Christ's sacrifice on the cross. He explains that our sin created an IOU that we could never pay, but Jesus took that debt and nailed it to the cross, clearing it once and for all. This has disarmed the spiritual forces that once held us captive and publicly shamed them through Christ's victory.

The sermon concludes with a powerful reminder from Pastor Bart that we don't need religious practices or special prayers to earn God's favor. It is by faith alone in what Christ has done that we are saved. He encourages listeners to live in constant celebration of the victory that Jesus has won for us and to trust fully in the sufficiency of His work on the cross.

Throughout the message, Pastor Bart uses relatable anecdotes and illustrations to drive home key points, making complex theological concepts accessible to a broad audience. His passionate delivery and clear explanations make this sermon an excellent resource for anyone seeking to understand the depths of God's grace and the freedom we have in Christ.

Those who have struggled with legalism, guilt, or a sense of inadequacy in their faith will find great encouragement in Pastor Bart's teaching. By directing our focus back to the finished work of Christ, he helps listeners break free from the cycle of striving and rest in the assurance of their salvation. This sermon from Pastor Bart Blair is a must-listen for anyone desiring to grow in their understanding of the gospel and experience the abundant life that Jesus promised.

Pastor Bart Blair explores the concept of identity in Christ using the metaphor of a uniform. He begins by describing a youth soccer team wearing distinctive pink jerseys, emphasizing how uniforms identify team membership and unity of purpose.

Blair then delves into Colossians 2:1-10, where Paul addresses the church in Colossae. Paul expresses deep concern for their spiritual well-being, urging them to remain rooted in Christ and not be swayed by false teachings or philosophies.

The sermon highlights several key points:

1. Believers should be unified in love and understanding of Christ.

2. All wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ, not in secret mysteries or human traditions.

3. Christians must be careful not to be deceived by seemingly reasonable arguments that lead away from the gospel.

4. Followers of Jesus should be deeply rooted in Him, not easily swayed by cultural winds.

5. The fullness of God dwells in Christ, and believers are filled with His presence.

Blair emphasizes that our primary identity should be in Christ, not in careers, hobbies, or worldly success. He warns against putting on the wrong "uniform" - seeking identity in empty pursuits rather than in Jesus.

The pastor concludes by reminding listeners that our true identity comes from Christ's sacrifice on the cross. While it's humbling, it should also motivate believers to represent Jesus well in the world.

Overall, the sermon challenges Christians to examine where they find their identity and to ensure they are wearing the right "uniform" - one that clearly identifies them as followers of Christ.

Colossians 1:28-29

Pastor Bart Blair delivers a practical sermon on spiritual maturity and growth as a Christian. He emphasizes that becoming more like Jesus is a lifelong process of sanctification, requiring hard work and dependence on the Holy Spirit's power. Blair outlines three essential systems for a healthy church: evangelism (sharing the good news), discipleship (helping people grow in Christlikeness), and empowerment (utilizing spiritual gifts to serve the church's mission). He also provides five indicators of personal spiritual growth: increasing love for God and others, growing in humility and servanthood, developing a hunger for God's Word, consistently exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit, and persevering through trials. Blair encourages listeners to engage in daily devotions, serve others using their gifts, and conduct a self-assessment based on the fruit of the Spirit. By focusing on these areas individually, the church as a whole can become more like Jesus and fulfill its potential.

The following scriptures are referenced in this sermon:

1. Matthew 28 (The Great Commission - Go and make disciples, baptize them, and teach them)

2. Galatians 5:22-23 (The fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control)

3. Ephesians 4:12 (Pastors are to equip the saints for the work of ministry)

4. 1 John 4:7-8 (Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.)

5. Philippians 2:3-4 (Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.)

6. James 1:2-4 (Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.)

In this thought-provoking sermon, Pastor Bart Blair delves into the profound mystery that Paul discusses in Colossians 1:24-29, revealing how the revelation of Jesus Christ as the center of God's plan transforms our understanding of Scripture. Drawing parallels to the iconic plot twist in the Star Wars film "The Empire Strikes Back," Pastor Blair illustrates how the knowledge of Christ's identity and role reshapes our perception of the entire biblical narrative.

Pastor Blair explores the various meanings of the Greek word "mysterion," which Paul employs to describe the once-hidden truth now disclosed to believers - that Christ lives within them. This indwelling presence of Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, counters the false teachings prevalent in the Colossian church and emphasizes the cosmic significance of the gospel message.

Central to Pastor Blair's sermon is the idea that recognizing Jesus as the mystery revealed enriches our engagement with the Old Testament. He highlights how Christ's coming fulfills the law and the prophets, shedding new light on familiar stories such as Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac, Joseph's journey from slavery to savior, and Moses' role in leading the Israelites out of bondage. By seeing these narratives as foreshadowing Christ's redemptive work, Pastor Blair encourages believers to approach the Old Testament with renewed curiosity and a desire to discover how each passage points to Jesus.

Ultimately, Pastor Blair's sermon invites listeners to embrace the transformative power of understanding Christ as the key to unlocking God's plan. By reading the Bible through the lens of Jesus, Christians can deepen their connection with God's living Word and experience the life-changing reality of Christ's indwelling presence. This message encourages believers to approach Scripture with fresh eyes, eager to uncover the mysteries that lead them closer to the heart of God.