1. Colossians remixed
26 August 2018

2. living out the good news of the kingdom of God
Colossians
living out the good news of the kingdom of God

4. the emperor demanded absolute allegiance
Roman Empire
the emperor demanded absolute allegiance

5. what does the kingdom of God look like?
In a world of selfishness In a world of new forms of legalism In a world of “I need to express myself” In a world of “I need to have my needs met”
what does the kingdom of God look like?

7. Colossians
The Gospel bears fruit in the whole world (Col 1:6) The Gospel rescues us from the power of darkness (Col 1:13) The Gospel makes peace through the blood of his cross (Col 1:19-20) In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:2-3)
[In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:2-3)
] each line

8. imperial images

9. Colossians 1:15-17
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

10. postmodern people
Let me tell the story of 2 people

11. no ultimate authority, or legitimacy beyond myself
postmodern world
choice
personal experience me
no ultimate authority, or legitimacy beyond myself
We live in a postmodern world

12. Disconcerting Attractive Janice Mike Befuddled paralysis
Disconcerting
Attractive
Janice
Befuddled paralysis
Candid confession of confusion
Longing for something more
Mike
Aggressive rejection of others & their values
Joyfully embracing change and chaos
There is something about Janice & Mike that is both disconcerting & attractive

13. we live in a postmodern world

14. we belong to another world the kingdom of God

15. Jeremiah 29:4-9

16. worldview questions
…promotes fear or a worldview that promotes curiosity and adventure? …fosters observation or categorization? …emphasizes grace or judgment in the world? …have you generally seeing other people as friends or as enemies? …belittle others, or make those who disagree with you out to be stupid?

17. worldview questions
…all thinking alike as believers? …make you combative or conciliatory? …enrage or appease? …divide you from or bring you together with others? …create bridges or walls in the world? …seek common ground with other worldviews or does it magnify differences?

18. is there a biblical worldview?

19. 1 Corinthians 9:22
Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. NLT I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. NIV I’ve become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. MSG

20. Colossians 3:1-17

21. postmodernism
For any good postmodernist a passage like this creates all sort of problems

22. Wendell Berry
The Mad Farmer, Flying the Flag of Rough Branch, Secedes from the Union

23. Colossians 3:1-5
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature

24. put it to death, before it kills you

25. community If you read Colossians Acts any of the Gospels
any of the NT letters

26. We like the idea of community We just don’t like other people

27. Henri nouwen
Community is first of all a quality of the heart. It grows from the spiritual knowledge that we are alive not for ourselves but for one another. Community is the fruit of our capacity to make the interests of others more important than our own.  The question, therefore, is not 'How can we make community?' but, 'How can we develop and nurture giving hearts?'

28. the God we meet in solitude is always the God who calls us to community

29. idolatry NT times An age of empires power & authority sexuality
violence
idolatry

30. Colossians 3:12-15
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another… And over all these virtues put on love… Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

31. practiced forgiveness

32. Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.