We are beginning a study of the book of Colossians, starting with these initial 4 parts. It doesn’t take much imagination to apply this church’s context to our own.
Paul wrote to a church under the influence of over-powering political and economic systems that promised peace and prosperity (in a word, salvation) in exchange for undivided and unquestioning loyalty. Beyond political pressure, the church was also being influenced by various forms of human philosophies and social pressures (just like we are, today.) To counter these influences Paul lifts up Jesus and the source of truth, faith, hope, love and free, complete salvation.
sermon: Jesus is (Still) the Answer (Colossians 1:1-8) with Rev. David Donaldson
Bigger on the Inside: Rediscovering the Gospel’s Depth
We often treat the gospel like a tent—simplistic, compact, and easy to understand. To some extent, it is meant to be something easily grasped … at one level. But what if we delve deeper and discover it is far bigger than we imagined?
The letter to the Colossians invites us into this expansive reality. Written by Paul from a Roman prison, it’s a message to a church he deeply loved. His words remind us that the gospel isn’t just a set of beliefs or a moment of conversion—it’s a cosmic story, a transformative journey and a call to live in Christ while being in Colossae—or in our case, in Mimico.
This dual identity matters. To be in Christ means our values, hopes and loves are shaped by Jesus. To be in Mimico means we live out those values in our neighborhoods, workplaces and families. It’s not about escaping the world, but about being a faithful presence within it.
Colossians centers on the supremacy of Christ. He is the image of the invisible God, the creator and sustainer of all things. Truth, Paul insists, is not a philosophy or a theological system—it’s a person. Truth is Jesus. And when we know Him, we begin to understand what it means to live with faith, hope, and love.
These aren’t abstract virtues. They’re the fruit of lives rooted in grace. Faith that sustains us. Hope that anchors us. Love that connects us. In a world chasing wealth, fame, and security, these gifts are revolutionary. They’re what the gospel produces when it’s truly understood.
But understanding takes time. Evangelism isn’t a one-time event—it’s a relational process. People move from curiosity to conviction through conversations, community, and care. The Engel Scale, a model of spiritual development, reminds us that belief is often step ten, not step one. Sharing Christ with our communities means walking with people through every step.
The gospel is holistic. It doesn’t divide sacred from secular, worship from work or faith from life. It’s good news for the poor, freedom for the oppressed and sight for the blind. It’s the re-creation of everything God made. And when we live it out, we become yeast in the dough, seeds in the soil—agents of transformation.
So let’s step inside the tent. Let’s rediscover the gospel’s depth. Let’s live in Christ, in Mimico, bearing fruit that shows the good news is real. Because Jesus is still the answer—for the world today, and for every corner of our lives.