Life At The Ridge

Do you still struggle in sin? I know I do... often. How do we have victory over sin? The believers in Colosse were being taught in order to have victory over the flesh they needed to submit to man made rules and asceticism, which did not help. What is the answer? We need to be identified with Christ in His death. Col. 2:20-23

Is is possible to stop the indulgence of the flesh? Paul says the answer is not through asceticism (self denial) but through identity with Christ. Why is self denial not an avenue to controlling the flesh? What were these believers at Colosse being taught about how to control the desires of the flesh?

What is legalism? How does it present itself? How can we avoid the dangers of legalism and those who promote it? Paul tells the believers at Colosse to watch out for the legalists that not only will try to defraud them but also disqualify them.

How important is it to follow instructions? Do you believe that God gives us instructions for worship? Just as God has instructions for men in the church , He also gives instructions for women in the church. Following God's instructions are always best.

What has Jesus accomplished on the cross? Does His cross have power? If so power to do what?

What has the work of Christ accomplished? Is the work of Christ sufficient to our sin and sanctification? Are we captivated by Christ's work on the cross?

Have you been captivated by false teaching? How can we recognize false teaching? How do we become captivated by Christ?

Why should we pray? Paul's instructions to Timothy for the purpose of prayer is rooted in the Gospel and who Christ is.

How important is your walk with Jesus? How can we continue to walk with Jesus? What does this walk look like? Paul instructs the Colossian believers the importance of their walk.

Paul had a great struggle for the believers. His struggle was that they would remain firm against the plausible arguments that promoted false teaching and doctrine.

Are you maturing in Jesus Christ? How do you know?

How can we serve Jesus? Every Christian is a minister (servant) to minister on behalf of Christ.

What is prayer? Why should we pray? Paul gives Timothy some instructions of how to approach prayer not only for his life but for the life of the church.

How has the work of reconciliation changed you? What happened in reconciliation and why did it need to happen? God's Word challenges us to live differently now that we have been reconciled.

Jesus is the firstborn of the dead. What does that mean? How does His resurrection change how we live and what we can expect in our future resurrection?

Has Jesus lost His place of honor in your life? Is He the King that we proclaim Him to be? The truth is Jesus is the King and He is over all.

How has your faith in Jesus Christ affected the way you live? If you were to give your faith a check-up how is it doing? Is your faith growing or become stagnant?

Is Jesus supreme? Is Jesus first in your life? Often in our lives, Christ is marginalized. He often isn’t first: usually it's our family, our careers, hobby and other interests that push Jesus to the side. In vs 15-19 of chapter 1 Paul gives us a beautiful poem of who Jesus is and how He is above all, before all, and is over all. It causes us to place our focus on Jesus. Paul gives us reasons why Christ should be first in our lives and in the entire world. He talks about how special Christ is and why he must be first.

Pauls prayer in chapter one is summed up in vs 13-14 with two great blessings to those who know Christ; You have been delivered from darkness and you have forgiveness through the redemption of Jesus Christ. Are these blessings a reality in your life? Do you know Jesus?

What is the will of God? How can we know how to live a life that is worthy and well pleasing of God? Our lives must be conformed to the Gospel and allow the Gospel to shape our lives.