Weekend Sermons Podcast

The unfolding of God’s redemptive plan through Christ needs to motivate us toward proper worship Him.Text: Matthew 2:7-12Main Points:1) Demolish All of Your False Worship (vv. 7-8)2) See the Gratification of Proper Worship (vv. 9-11)3) Let God’s Supremacy Propel Your Obedience (v. 12)

As followers of Jesus, we each have a mission field that we must engage as we play our part to join in the harvest.Main Text: John 4:26-42Application Questions1. Read Psalm 51:12. What are some of the reasons you drift from “the joy of our salvation”? What are some ways you can be intentional to renew or cultivate this joy on a daily basis?2. Read John 4:35-36. What are the white fields that God has provided for you? What does sowing and harvesting look like for you in those fields? Who are some specific names we can be praying for?3.  Read 2 Cor 4:1-2.  What are some ways you can be tempted to tamper with the gospel or turn to cunning ways rather than trusting in the power of the word of Christ to save?4. With all of the excitement of the launch of Compass Hill Country how can you ensure that we maintain our evangelistic fervor after the newness wears off?

True worship can only begin after you step off the throne and diligently search for the One who truly belongs there.Main Text: Matthew 2:1-6Teaching Points:Take Your Place in Christ's Kingdom (vv.1-2)Joyfully Surrender Your Life (vv.2-3)Act on the Truth of God's Word (vv.4-6)Application Questions:1. Write down one observation you found particularly helpful from this week's sermon.2. Read Matthew 25:31–34. How does this verse help you understand the privilege of a Christian in Christ's Kingdom? a. How should the privilege of sharing in the Kingdom of Christ impact your daily life?3. Read Matthew 16:24–27. How does this verse articulate the humility necessary for anyone who wants a place in Christ’s Kingdom?a. What practical ways can the humility and surrender described in Matthew 16:24-27 show up in your life?4. Read 1 John 2:3–6 and Ezekiel 36:26–27. Why is taking action on the truths found in God’s Word a necessary and fulfilling part of true worship?

Unexpected events are often God’s providential way of revealing his plan and require us to seek counsel from his word so we can walk faithfully amidst uncertainty.Main Text: Matthew 1:18–25Teaching Points:1. Plan for God’s Unexpected Events vv18-192. Seek Counsel from God’s Word vv20-233. Strive for Immediate Obedience vv24-25Application Questions:1. Write down one observation you found particularly helpful from this week's sermon. 2. Read Matthew 1:18-25 and Acts 16:6–10. Unbeknownst to them, Joseph and Paul’s original plans were to do the opposite of what God intended, but through a few unexpected events, God made it clear to Joseph and Paul what he wanted them to do. What practical decisions could Joseph and Paul have made that would have prevented them from accomplishing what God intended?a. What practical decisions can you make during unexpected circumstances that can keep you from accomplishing what God wants?b. How can you plan today for God’s unexpected events?3. Read Proverbs 15:22 and 2 Peter 1:3. How do these verses define ways you can and should receive Godly instruction, including in times of uncertainty?a. Write down one example in your life when you needed instruction and God’s word gave you the answer.4. Read Matthew 1:24-25. What was at stake in Joseph’s decision to take Mary as his wife?a. Write down a time when you made a godly decision that was costly but you knew it was God’s desire for you. 5. Read Psalm 119:11. Why is storing God’s word in your heart a prerequisite to being able to respond with immediate obedience? 6. Read Luke 9:62 and Luke 11:27–28. What are practical blessings associated with immediate obedience to God?a. Likewise, what are consequences of delayed obedience or disobedience in the life of a Christian?

The Bible’s predictive prophecy about historical events should bolster your confidence in the veracity of scripture, enable you to look to God’s word as the final arbiter of truth, and embolden you to walk in faith.Teaching Points:Let God’s Promises Illuminate God’s Will for You. V13Remove Any Doubt About the Truthfulness of Scripture vv1-17Focus Your Efforts on Living for Christ’s Coming Kingdom vv16-17Application Questions:1. Write down one observation you found particularly helpful from this week's sermon.2. Read Isaiah 44:28 and Daniel 8:20-22. How can a 150-year-old prophecy from Isaiah and a 200-year-old prophecy from Daniel that comes to fruition in great detail help you trust scripture to illuminate God’s will for you as it did for Zerubbabel, Ezra & Nehemiah3. Why is predictive prophecy one of the strongest proofs of the Bible’s trustworthiness?a. How does the fulfillment of predictive prophecy in the Bible give you confidence to trust everything else the Bible says about future events yet to be fulfilled? 4. Read Revelation 11:15. Why should verses like Revelation 11:15 reposition your focus to live for the coming Kingdom of God? a. Colossians 3:1–4. How can you live this week for the Kingdom of God? 5. As we wrap up this series, how has the genealogy of Christ in Matthew encouraged you and strengthened your faith in the promises of God?

Israel’s royal genealogy reminds us of our need to rely on God’s promises, leading us to properly worship him as we await our final vindication. Main Text: Matthew 1:7–11 (ESV) 7 and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, 8 and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, 9 and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10 and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, 11 and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. Teaching Points:Fully Trust in God’s Covenant Promise vv7-11Eliminate Idols in Your Life vv7-11Patiently Await Your Vindication vv11Application Questions:1. Write down one observation you found particularly helpful from this week's sermon.2. Read Hebrews 8:6–13. Unlike the bilateral covenant given to Moses, how do the unilateral Covenants between King David (Davidic Covenant) and King Jesus (New Covenant) provide us with confidence to fully trust God’s covenant promise?3. Read Colossians 3:5–8 and Romans 1:21–25. According to these verses, how do you define an Idol?a. How can you identify Idols in your own life?b. What does eliminating idols consist of in the life of a Christian?4. Read Revelation 22:10–12 and Isaiah 11:1–10. How do Jesus' words in Revelation and Isaiah's description of the coming reign of Christ help you arrive at a proper response to this waiting period before the future vindication of Christ?

Our deficiencies ought to be the catalyst that directs us to trust in Christ’s sufficiency as the promised king of Kings.Main Text: Matthew 1:6–7a 6 and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, 7 and Solomon the father of Rehoboam...Teaching Points:1. Get Real About Your Deficiencies V6a2. Invest in Eternal Affairs V6b-7a3. Eagerly Await the Coming of Our King VV1-17Application Questions:1. Write down one observation you found particularly helpful from this week's sermon.2. Read 2 Samuel 12:9–12. How does propping up King David as the model King diminish the coming of Christ as the model King?a. How does getting real about David’s deficiencies help you understand Israel’s need for a better king?b. How does getting real about your deficiencies help you see your need for a Lord & Savior? 3. Read Ecclesiastes 2:10–11. What does Solomon’s testimony of filling his life up with earthly pleasures teach you about the snare of focusing on the world?a. Read Matthew 6:19–21. What is Jesus’ purpose in teaching this metaphor, especially in light of Jesus being the model King? 4. Read Deuteronomy 17:14–20. What does Deuteronomy, written hundreds of years before there was a King in Israel describe as Solomon's & Rehoboam's temptation and eventual downfall?a. Read Romans 15:4. Similarly, although the Bible was written hundreds of years before us, why should we look to the words of scripture to guide us in life and give us hope?5. Read Isaiah 9:6-7. How does this sermon & these verses from Isaiah help you see the connection between Israel’s failed Kings & our anticipation of Christ’s return as King of Kings?Student Application Questions:1. Write down one observation you found helpful from this week's sermon.2. Read 2 Samuel 12:9–12. How does propping up King David as the model King diminish the coming of Christ as the model King?a. How does getting real about David’s deficiencies help you understand Israel’s need for a better king?b. How does getting real about your deficiencies help you see your need for a Lord & Savior? 3. Read Ecclesiastes 2:10–11. What does Solomon’s testimony of filling his life up with earthly pleasures teach you about the trap of focusing on the world?a. Read Matthew 6:19–21. What is Jesus’ purpose in teaching this metaphor, especially in light of Jesus being the model King? 4. Read Isaiah 9:6-7. How does this sermon & these verses from Isaiah help you see the connection between Israel’s failed Kings & our anticipation of Christ’s return as King of Kings?Ask Your Parents This:How would you live differently if you knew Christ was coming back next month?

Your life in Christ is the outworking of God’s deliverance amidst your failures, which should move you to respond to God with ultimate faith in his plan.Main Text: Matthew 1:5–6a 5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6a and Jesse the father of David the king.Teaching Points:Expect God to Honor Your Faith (v.5a)Anticipate Consequences When You Forget God (v.5b)Trust God to Provide for His Plans (v.6a)Application Questions:#1. So far in this series, how does God’s faithfulness through the lives of those in the genealogy of Christ help you understand more about God’s character?#2. Read Hebrews 11:6. What does this verse say about faith? From your notes on Sunday, where were some places you saw God honoring people’s faith in Joshua, Judges or Ruth?Why can you expect the same response from God regarding your faithfulness toward him?What are some practical steps of faith you can take this week that reveal your trust in God’s plan, whether that is personal decisions, discipleship steps, or steps of reconciliation with God or others?#3. Read Jeremiah 2:12–13 & Jeremiah 2:17–19. How do these verses drive home the sermon’s point that Christians are not exempt from consequences when we forget God in our life?Recall a time in your life where you received consequences because you forgot/disregarded God. What biblical counsel would you give yourself during that time to move you to remember God?#4. Read Matthew 6:25–33 & look at your notes from this week’s sermon. Why should you trust God to provide for his plans and those who are walking in his plans? Like Rahab, how can walking in God’s plan give you protection and community?Student Application Questions#1. Write down one application you found helpful from this week’s sermon.#2. Read Hebrews 11:6. What does this verse say about faith? From your notes on Sunday, where were some places you saw God honoring people’s faith in Joshua, Judges or Ruth?What are some practical steps of faith you can take this week that reveal your trust in God’s plan, whether that is personal decisions, discipleship steps, or steps of reconciliation with God or others?#3. Read Jeremiah 2:12–13. How does this verse drive home the sermon’s point that Christians are not exempt from consequences when we forget God in our life?Recall a time in your life where you received consequences from God because you forgot/disregarded him. What should you have done differently to remember God rather than disregard him?#4. Read Matthew 6:25–33 & look at your notes from this week’s sermon. Why should you trust God to provide for those who are walking in his plans? What are some benefits of following God’s plan?Ask your parents this:How have your own times of forgetting God and dealing with the consequences led you to grow in faith toward God?

Anyone who is placed into Christ can no longer live under the bondage of sin but submits to the authority of the Holy Spirit, who is abundantly at work in your new life.Main Text: Romans 6:1–4 (ESV) 1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.Teaching PointsContinually Pursue the Gift of RighteousnessEmbrace the Purpose of Your New Life VV3-4Application QuestionsWrite down one observation you found particularly helpful from this week’s sermon and baptisms.Read Matthew 28:18-20 & 1 Corinthians 12:13 What is the definition of the word baptism? How would you biblically define each of the two most frequent uses of the word baptism in the New Testament (I.e. water baptism & baptism of the Holy Spirit)?Read 1 Peter 2:24–25 & Colossians 3:1–10. According to scripture, why is pursuing righteousness once you have been placed into Christ the proper pursuit for Christian living as we await the return of Christ?Read Romans 6:12-13. Practically speaking, how can you present your body to God as an instrument of righteousness this week? 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8 & Romans 8:28–30. How do these verses describe the purpose of your life in Christ? How would you explain to someone the process of sanctification in the life of all believers? Student Application QuestionsWrite down one thing you found helpful from this week’s sermon.Read Matthew 28:18-20 & 1 Corinthians 12:13. What is the definition of the word baptism? How would you biblically define each of the two most frequent uses of the word baptism in the New Testament (I.e. water baptism & baptism of the Holy Spirit)?Read 1 Peter 2:24 –25. According to scripture, why is pursuing righteousness once you have been placed into Christ the proper pursuit for Christian living?Read Romans 6:12-13. What can you do this week to present your body to God as an tool of righteousness? 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8. How does this verse describe the purpose of a Christian’s life?What is sanctification? How would you explain to someone the process of sanctification in the life of all believers? Ask Your Parents This:How did your life change once you were placed into Christ?

Preaching Point: Your trust in God’s promises in Christ should not waver in the presence of suffering or God’s discipline.Main Text: Matthew 1:3–4 3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, 4 and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon,Teaching Points:Entrust Your Suffering to God v3Grasp God’s Plan for Deliverance V4aEmbrace God’s Discipline V4Application Questions:Write down one observation you found particularly helpful from this week’s sermon.Read Philippians 3:8–10 and Romans 5:3-4. Using these verses (and others you may know) Explain how suffering is a normal part of the Christian experience? How does your faith in God’s plan increase when you realize that suffering and faith are not mutually exclusive?Read Isaiah 53:2–6, Matthew 26:26–29 and Romans 3:21-26. How does grasping the continuity of God’s redemptive plan in the Old Testament through the New Testament help you understand God’s plan to deliver his people through Christ?Read Hebrews 12:11, Revelation 3:19, and Deuteronomy 8:5-6. Why is accepting that God is a disciplinarian hard for some people? What fruit do you see in your own life that is directly related to God’s discipline in your life?What can you do to better embrace God’s discipline moving forward?Student Application Questions:Write down one observation you found particularly helpful from this week’s sermon.Read Philippians 3:8–10 and Romans 5:3-4. Using these verses (and others you may know) Explain how suffering is a normal part of the Christian experience? How does your faith in God’s plan increase when you realize that suffering and faith are both necessary for Christians?Read Romans 3:21-26. How does grasping the connection of God’s redemptive plan in the Old Testament through the New Testament help you understand God’s plan to save his people through Christ?Read Deuteronomy 8:5-6. Why is accepting that God is a disciplinarian hard for some people? If you are a Christian what fruit do you see in your own life that is directly related to God’s discipline in your life?What can you do to better embrace God’s discipline moving forward?Ask Your Parents This:What does it mean that Jesus is our Passover Lamb?

Seeing God fulfill his promises through the lives of real people should give you unwavering confidence in God’s plan for you and the whole world.Teaching Points:Let God’s Promises Bolster Your Faith V2aAllow God’s Promises to Produce Patience V2bTrust God’s Promises in the Dysfunction V2cBelieve God’s Promises in the Obscurity V2dApplication Questions:Write down one observation you found particularly helpful from this week’s sermon.Read Hebrews 11:1. What does a good understanding of God’s long standing track record of promise keeping throughout history do to bolster your faith in Him?Read Genesis 17:15–19. What does the story of Isaac and Ishmael show you about the necessity of patient faith? What can you do this week to allow faith to produce patience in your life?Read Genesis 50:15–21 & Acts 4:27–28. Why is trusting God in dysfunctional situations pivotal for your faith to grow? How do these verses reiterate the need to trust God in dysfunctional situations?Read 2 Peter 3:9–10 and Romans 8:22–25. Like Judah’s life, much of our own lives seem to sit in seasons of obscurity. How do these verses teach you to wait on God in seasons of ambiguity; especially when it concerns the promises of God?

Understanding the Gospel of Matthew allows you to see how God fulfilled all of his OT promises through the life, death, resurrection, and future reign of Jesus Christ, who has come to save you from the penalty of your sins and initiate the arrival of the Kingdom of God.Teaching Points:The Gospel of Matthew will Direct you toIdentify That Jesus is The Promised SolutionKnow How to Walk With GodDeal with the Here and Now While Focusing on the Kingdom of GodApplication Questions:Write down one observation you found particularly helpful from this week’s sermon.Read Matthew 2:22-23, Matthew 2:4-5, and Matthew 5:17-20. Matthew uses Old Testament (OT) references over 55 times and points to Jesus fulfilling OT scripture 12 times in his gospel account. How does Jesus’ fulfillment of so many Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming Messiah undergird your faith with confidence?Read Matthew 1:18–23, Matthew 9:1-8, and Matthew 26:26–29. What do these scriptures explain as the purpose of Jesus’ earthly ministry? As we study the Gospel of Matthew, why is keeping this central theme of “forgiveness of sins” pivotal to understanding all of Jesus’ parables and narratives?Read Matthew 6:33–34, Matthew 6:9–10, and Matthew 19:23–30. These verses show how much Jesus taught us to deal with our lives here by singularly focusing on the Kingdom of God. Why do you think Jesus spent so much time telling people to focus on the Kingdom? What can you do this week to ensure that your heart, mind, and hands are staying focused on the Kingdom of God and not the Kingdom of Earth? 

Genuine salvation is a gift from God offered to the unrighteous, whose only appropriate response is to turn from everything that captures their allegiance and follow Christ.Luke 18:18–27 (ESV): 18 And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’ ” 21 And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

You must drastically increase your concern for the lost if you want to reflect the genuine compassion of God.Jonah 4:1–11 (ESV) 1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. 2 And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” 4 And the Lord said, “Do you do well to be angry?” 5Jonah went out of the city and sat to the east of the city and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, till he should see what would become of the city. 6 Now the Lord God appointed a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the plant. 7 But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint. And he asked that he might die and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” 9 But God said to Jonah, “Do you do well to be angry for the plant?” And he said, “Yes, I do well to be angry, angry enough to die.” 10 And the Lord said, “You pity the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. 11And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?”

Jonah 3:1-10

Our prayers should encapsulate such an awareness of God’s sovereignty that by the end of our prayers, we are wholly comforted by the overwhelming presence of God in whatever circumstance.Jonah 2:1-10

An awareness of God’s power and authority should lead everyone to absolute surrender to the sovereignty of God.Jonah 1:4-17

God desires to use his chosen people to reach lost souls and may even cause calamity to restore those who abscond from that mission.Jonah 1:1-41 Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.” 3 But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. 4 But the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. (ESV)

Preaching is an indispensable tool for any Christian who has a genuine desire to grow in their faith.2 Timothy 3:16–4:2 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 

Christians must strive to imitate God’s compassionate heart for the lost if we hope to do our job well.Matthew 9:35–10:4 (ESV) 35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” 1 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Maintaining a high view of God is crucial if you want to persevere in ministry through every season of Life.Colossians 4:14, 17–18 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas…17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” 18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

At Compass, we must strive to be exceptional examples of the lavish generosity that God has given us through our commitment to generous living. Main Text: Colossians 4:12–13,15–16 (ESV) 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis…15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

Colossians 4:10–11 10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.Our Christian assignment is to provide comfort to one another, even at great personal cost, as we go about the mission of God.

This weekend we will be studying Romans 15:1-7. In this passage the church is called to examine their role in bringing unity to the church through the strengthening of the spiritually weak. I’ve titled this sermon “Unity Through Maturity.” It is my hope that we will prayerfully consider our responsibility to one another this weekend as we look at this practical passage together.

Christians must embrace the radical transformation the gospel brings to every relationship in our lives.Colossians 4:9 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here. Philemon 1–25 1 Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker 2 and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. 7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you. 8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9 yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. 15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you. 23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. 25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

God’s people ought to stand out in today’s culture because of our audacious commitment to one another, for the sake of Christian encouragement.Colossians 4:7–9 (ESV) 7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.       

Hebrews 11:8-16Special Guest: Pastor Mike Fabarez

We must intentionally interact with every outsider by using our life, time, and speech, specifically to win souls to Christ.Colossians 4:5–6 5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Christians must diligently pray for opportunities to share the gospel and follow through to boldly proclaim a Biblical gospel.Colossians 4:3–4 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

Since prayer is our indispensable connection to God, we must take care to engage regularly with the Sovereign God of the universe, who desires to answer the prayers of his children.Colossians 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Good Friday 2022 at Compass Bible Church Hill Country

God desires that all people appropriately respond to his message of reconciliation and enlist as his representatives who enthusiastically share the same message with others.2 Corinthians 5:17–21 (ESV) 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Knowing God is fair, just, and impartial should compel us to work here and now with the future in mindColossians 3:25–4:125 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. 1 Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Knowing that your earthly faithfulness to God produces rewards in eternity should empower you to fully embrace your work in every situation.Colossians 3:22–24 (ESV) 22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Comprehending the purpose of godly discipline is vital for anyone who desires to correct their child in a way that nurtures their soul and tames their heart.Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

Following Godly patterns in familial relationships is essential for anyone who desires to effectively lead children to honor God.Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Joyfully embrace your responsibilities within God’s design for marriage for this is the responsibility for every Christian as they live out their new life in Christ with maturity.Colossians 3:18-1918 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.

Cultivating a Bible-saturated life is necessary for everyone who desires to live a godly life, especially those who hope to lead others into a thriving relationship with God. Colossians 3:16-1716 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

If we hope to build godly lives, displaying Christlike love to one another must be our primary objective.Colossians 3:14-1514 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Being God’s chosen people requires all Christians to build godly lives by living outwardly what God has already accomplished in the Christian’s life inwardly. Colossians 3:12–13 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 

We must diligently labor to demolish what is left of our sinful lives, and enthusiastically build up godly lives through the power of ChristColossians 3:5–11 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

The only way to navigate culture successfully is to set your focus on the future realities of the Christian life that await those whose life is hidden with Christ.Colossians 3:2-4 - 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 

Being vigilant in navigating culture is Crucial if you want to avoid spiritual detours that lead you away from Christ. Colossians 2:20–3:1 20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Holding firm to the sufficiency of Christ is fundamental if we are to correctly navigate a culture that insists on adding or subtracting to the Bibles definitions of salvation and your walk with Christ. Colossians 2:16–19 16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

Making the right decision on who is the captain of our life is crucial if we want to understand what we are here for and where we go from here. Colossians 2:9–15 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Navigating culture requires us to stand firm on what the Bible says so that we will not be taken captive by the words and ideas of people who don’t believe in Christ as the Lord of the universe.Colossians 2:6–8 6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Unrelenting obedience to the words of Christ is indispensable for any Christian who desires to confidently move forward this year and persevere in 2022.Matthew 7:24–27 (ESV) 24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

In order for us to take on the new year rightly, we must look back to see how good God was to us individually and as a church. Investigate your (and the church's) past to see God's goodness so that you find your future refuge and satisfaction in Him alone. By doing this, you can keep moving forward in your faith in 2022 and beyond.Series: Looking Back, Looking ForwardText: Psalm 34:8-10

Christmas Eve 2021

In the midst of your personal struggles, Christmas should adjust your focus so you can see how God’s promises are perfectly planned out, leading us to greater faithfulness to God. 7 (ESV) 12 And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, 15 and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.