McNeese presents three key principles from Colossians 3 for genuine transformation:

1. Remember that Christ is in you: He emphasizes the New Testament concept of Christ living within believers, contrasting it with the Old Testament idea of God being "with" people. This indwelling presence of Christ is the foundation for true change.

2. Drive a stake through sin in your life: McNeese stresses the need for ruthlessly eliminating sinful behaviors and desires. He discusses Paul's warnings against sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and greed, highlighting how these can become idols displacing God in our lives. The pastor contrasts Joseph's resistance to temptation with David's surrender to it, illustrating the consequences of each approach.

3. Put on a new set of clothes: This metaphor represents adopting Christ-like attributes. McNeese focuses on three specific virtues: a) Forgiveness: Emphasizing its importance in marriage and all relationships. b) Love: Describing agape love that gives unconditionally. c) Gratitude: Encouraging thankfulness towards God and others, especially within families.

Throughout the sermon, McNeese applies these principles to everyday life, particularly marriage. He explains how forgiveness is crucial in relationships between imperfect people, how agape love perseveres through changes and challenges, and how gratitude can transform family dynamics.

The pastor shares personal anecdotes and illustrations to make his points relatable. He recounts his wife helping him update his wardrobe, symbolizing the need to discard old habits and adopt new ones. He also shares how he and his wife practice gratitude for simple blessings in their lives.

McNeese concludes with a touching story about a teacher's affirming words to a student with a cleft palate, drawing a parallel to God's unconditional love and acceptance of us despite our flaws. He reinforces that true transformation begins with recognizing God's love, His presence within us, and His unwavering care.

This sermon offers practical guidance for Christians seeking personal growth and stronger relationships, grounded in biblical teachings and illustrated with relatable examples. It emphasizes that lasting change comes not just from external actions, but from an internal transformation rooted in Christ's indwelling presence and love.

Date: 7.28.24

Website: https://bwchurch.org/

Interested in Baptism? https://bwchurch.org/baptism/

Wanting to know what it looks like to follow Christ? https://bwchurch.org/salvation/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BWChurch

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwchurchtx/

Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bridgeway-church-tx

Want to reach out? You can email us at hello@bwchurch.org

In this powerful sermon, Art McNeese explores key themes from Paul's letter to the Colossians, focusing on the supremacy and centrality of Christ.

McNeese begins by comparing understanding Christianity to assembling a jigsaw puzzle, where some pieces are missing and others don't belong. He emphasizes that Christ is the key to making sense of reality and human existence.

The sermon highlights two major arguments from Colossians:

1. Christ is the source of all wisdom and knowledge. McNeese contrasts this with humanism and other philosophies that place humans at the center instead of Christ. He argues that without Christ as the foundation, there is no basis for ethics, kindness, or human dignity.

2. Christ brings life. McNeese explains how Christ cancels the record of sins against us and defeats spiritual forces of evil. He uses the Roman practice of shaming conquered enemies to illustrate how Christ paradoxically achieved victory through the cross.

McNeese discusses how baptism represents participation in Christ's death and resurrection, not mere imitation. He emphasizes that this brings new life and freedom from our sinful nature.

The sermon then addresses the danger of legalism and man-made religious rules. McNeese warns that focusing on external practices can lead to pride and a false sense of spirituality. He encourages listeners to examine whether they are truly growing in Christ or just following religious customs.

Throughout, McNeese stresses that Christ is the centerpiece of reality who will ultimately reconcile all things to Himself. He is the creator and sustainer of the universe, the defeater of evil, and the one who brings meaning to human existence.

The sermon concludes by returning to C.S. Lewis' analogy of Christianity being like the sun - we believe in it not only because we see it, but because by it we see everything else. McNeese affirms that Christ is the lens through which all of reality makes sense.

This thought-provoking message challenges listeners to center their lives on Christ rather than human wisdom or religious legalism. It offers hope that despite the brokenness and confusion in the world, Christ is working to bring all things together under His rule.

Date: 7.21.24

Website: https://bwchurch.org/

Interested in Baptism? https://bwchurch.org/baptism/

Wanting to know what it looks like to follow Christ? https://bwchurch.org/salvation/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BWChurch

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwchurchtx/

Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bridgeway-church-tx

Want to reach out? You can email us at hello@bwchurch.org

In this sermon, Ben Dishman continues his series on Colossians, focusing on reconciliation through Christ. He begins by explaining the concept of reconciliation - bringing something back to where it's supposed to be. Dishman uses a childhood anecdote about a lost Pokémon game to illustrate this idea.

The sermon centers on Colossians 1:19-29, exploring how Christ reconciles all things to Himself. Dishman emphasizes that this reconciliation starts with the church but extends to all creation. He discusses how believers were once alienated from God but are now reconciled through Christ's death.

A key point of discussion is the seemingly conditional statement in verse 23: "if indeed you continue in the faith." Dishman addresses different interpretations of this passage, suggesting it may distinguish between genuine and counterfeit faith rather than implying one can lose salvation. He encourages listeners to persevere in faith while acknowledging that ultimate salvation depends on Christ.

Dishman also touches on Paul's statement about "filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions," clarifying that this refers to suffering for the sake of the church, not completing Christ's atoning work. He highlights the mystery revealed to the Gentiles - that Christ's reconciliation is for all people.

Throughout the sermon, Dishman wrestles with the tension between human responsibility and dependence on Christ. He stresses that while believers are called to endure, persevere, and work hard, all of this ultimately depends on Christ's power working within them.

The sermon concludes by reiterating that the Christian life is not about doing things for Jesus, but about letting Jesus work through us. Dishman encourages listeners to rely on Christ rather than themselves, emphasizing that all creation and our new life in Christ depend entirely on Him.

This message offers a deep dive into the theology of reconciliation, balancing the call to faithful living with the assurance of Christ's supreme work in and through believers.

Date: 7.14.24

Website: https://bwchurch.org/

Interested in Baptism? https://bwchurch.org/baptism/

Wanting to know what it looks like to follow Christ? https://bwchurch.org/salvation/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BWChurch

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bwchurchtx/

Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bridgeway-church-tx

Want to reach out? You can email us at hello@bwchurch.org