Heartland Alliance Church Podcast

Being led by emotional experiences and pride leads us to exchange our relationship with God for worthless idols, and to division and a breakdown in relationships. Christ promised fullness in our abiding connection to Him and to His body.

This sermon takes a look at Colossians 2:16-17 and addresses the pressure of religious performance, the problem with shadows, Jesus as being the reality, the danger of legalism, and living in the freedom of Christ.

Spiritual circumcision is identity received. The identity received in spiritual circumcision is inward and spiritual, complete, divine, realized by our thorough identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, brought to fullness in spiritual baptism, and received by faith. Then, our water baptism is identity embraced.

We all desire to have purpose and to feel alive. We're drawn to ads, reels and content that tell us what satisfies and is fulfilling, but they come up empty. The only place to find fullness of life is free and available. It's the fullness of God for us in Jesus.

Have you ever heard something that sounded wise, but turned out to be quite foolish and dangerous? Followers of Jesus must guard themselves against worldly influences that would draw them away, choosing instead to be rooted in the truth found in Christ. Reality 1: Dangers are closer than they seem. Reality 2: God is closer than He seems. We need to be on guard and on our knees.

God's Kingdom and plans are way better than anything we could ever dream up for ourselves. Real power and direction are found when we move ourselves off of the centre of our heart, and we are filled with the Holy Spirit of the Living God.

Move from consumer to contender. Jesus is the Champion; His victory is our victory. How can we run the race set out for us? With these points: throw off, get free, and fix your eyes. We can move from consumer to contender when we allow the Lordship of Jesus to lead us.

Where does our craving for acceptance come from? True acceptance is available through Jesus! Embrace the rewards of intimacy with Father God. We are being formed by something – let's choose to be formed by intimacy with our Father God. What might be keeping you from intimacy with God the Father?

Rooted in Christ. Built up in Christ. Established in the faith, just as you were taught. 

Longing for peace in the past. Real peace is available when Jesus is in charge. Longing for peace in the present. The cross of Jesus is the instrument of lasting peace. Longing for peace in the future.

Christmas has its roots in hope. The root of hope in Isaiah is ___________. Life comes to dead things when Jesus is involved. The root of our hope is not in the physical alone but in the ___________. Hope in God's justice brings peace. Christmas and the second coming bring hope. Hope changes how we live today.

Salvation addresses our greatest need, it came at a great price, and it brings the greatest blessing. We must continue.

Colossians 1:21-22: 21_______ _______ _______ alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 _______ _______ he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation -

To be a committed follower of Jesus, we must drop the excuses, learn the lessons, and make a difference.