You're listening to Mountain View Church Audio, Christ-centered teaching from the Wilderness City, Whitehorse, UConn. Here's this week's message. Imagine that you're leading a group of friends or your family on a multi-day hike or hunt in the mountains. You've confidently stated that you know the trail and you're going to lead the group, but deep down, you're a little bit uneasy, not entirely sure. That being said, you have a GPS in your backpack just in case you get turned around.
The first couple days go by with no problems. But on the third day, a thick fog has rolled in. Never mind, you are confident, so you grab your stuff, the group packs up and hits the trail. A few hours later and some lefts and rights and some more lefts and rights, the fog lifts and you realize you're not where you thought you should be. That's okay, let's come back to that GPS. You unzip your pack and it dawns on you that you forgot to grab the GPS off the charger at home before you left. Panic sets in. So what can you do? You come clean to the group.
they're disappointed in you, and they're fearful as to what happens next. You're in trouble. Just then, a solo hiker appears down the trail out of nowhere and asks, do you need some help? It turns out he's a wilderness guide in the area and offers to lead the way. You thought all was lost, but now you're rescued. In his letter to the Colossian church, the Apostle Paul speaks of another lone rescuer, but for all humanity, the only one who can offer eternal salvation. Over the next four weeks, we're studying Paul's Colossian letter in a teaching series titled Redeemed.
Welcome to Mountain View Church. My name is Jeremy. If you'd like to connect with our community, go to mountainview.church slash connect or text connect to the number on the screen. If you have children, we offer a program at 9.30 or 11 a.m. in-house called Base Camp. You just need to go to mountainview.church slash children or text children to the number below, which we also offer an at-home option. You can download the activities and the videos. Last, we offer a youth program if you're a teenager or if you have teenagers. Go to mountainview.church slash youth or text youth again to the number on the screen. Now let's dig into this week's passage from Colossians chapter 1. God, I'm broken.
I've spent my life dishonoring you. Years of turning my back to you. Time and time again, I put myself before you, and yet I have the nerve to act like you owe me something. But I'm nothing. Just a speck in the middle of the universe. Just a tiny dot that can be wiped away in the blink of an eye. And yet you see me. You see my heart. You see my pain. You see my need for hope. My need for love. My need for a savior.
But you alone are king. And I recognize now that I can't do this on my own. I recognize that without you, I am nothing. And I'm asking for forgiveness. I'm asking for hope. Jesus, I am asking for you to save me. Restore me to the joy of your salvation. Take away my sin and make me like you. Jesus, be my hope. Be my joy. Be my strength. Be my king.
Hello, my name is David Johnson. I'll be reading from Colossians chapter 1, verses 3 to 14, from the English Standard Version. just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the spirit. And so from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
Being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Okay, there was a lot packed in there. If you haven't done so already, open to Colossians chapter 1. If you don't have a Bible, you can text Bible to the number on the screen, or you can download a Bible app to your mobile device. You can even just go to Bible.com and search Colossians 1, and then you can follow along with us.
Today's focus is on verses 13 and 14. That's the crux of the theological issue for today. But first, we need to do a bit of a scriptural walkthrough on those previous verses so we can get some context. Let's do that over the next few minutes. In verses 3 through 5, Paul acknowledges the faith and love of the Colossian church, springing from the hope stored up in heaven. It's ultimately in Jesus. Paul opens his letter by expressing gratitude for the Colossians' faith in Christ and their love for all the saints. This faith and love are grounded in the hope laid up for them in heaven because of their faith in Jesus.
This hope isn't just wishful thinking, but a confident expectation of what God has promised and secured in heaven for them. It is this hope that fuels their faith and love, allowing them to live out their faith with assurance and joy. Next, in verses six through eight, Paul notes the gospel is bearing fruit and spiritual growth among them and throughout the world. The gospel of Jesus Christ isn't static. It's alive and active. It bears fruit and grows spiritually throughout the whole world as it passes from person to person and the church grows, both for the Colossian church back then, but also for us today. Paul's highlighting that this message has not only transformed their lives, but it also continues to spread and transform lives globally. The impact of the gospel is evident within that spiritual fruit.
Lives are changed, hearts are transformed, and communities are built in Christ's love and truth. In verses 9 through 12, Paul is praying for their spiritual wisdom and understanding to live out a life worthy of Christ. Paul is asking God to fill them with the knowledge of his will so they can live lives worthy of and pleasing to the Lord. This prayer includes bearing fruit, growing in knowledge, and being strengthened, all of which leads to increased endurance and patience within their walk with Christ. Paul's prayer emphasizes our need for a deep understanding of God's will, which leads to a life that reflects Christ in every action and every decision. Finally, we reach verses 13 and 14, and today's focus on redemption and the forgiveness of sin. Let's take some time to read through verse 13 again. Paul writes, God has rescued us through Jesus.
This rescue is a divine transfer from the realm of darkness, characterized by sin and separation from God, into the light of Christ's kingdom, which is eternal. Whether we want to acknowledge it or not, as human beings, we are wandering in spiritual darkness, like that fog in the mountains from the introduction. We think we know where we're going, but we're really lost. That's why God sent his son, Jesus, as our rescue, inviting us into an eternal home that starts now and is lived out in his kingdom. Dr. Gerald Peterman, professor at Moody Bible Institute, explains the moment of rescue. He writes, when we believe the gospel, God rescues us from the domain of darkness. Along with rescue, we are transferred to the kingdom that belongs to his beloved son. There is no middle ground. One is either in darkness or in the son's kingdom. Now let's move on to the second half of Paul's core statement there, found in verse 14. Paul writes, he transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved son. Then verse 14 says, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
This is the outcome of our transfer from darkness to Christ's kingdom, redemption, which is the main focus of really the entire Colossian letter and definitely our main focus over the next four weeks of messages. Redemption in Christ brings an eternally transformative change. In the spiritual realm, we are moved into his kingdom where we find forgiveness and new life. Our current life radically transforms and eternal life is sealed in heaven. Simply stated, we've been redeemed by Christ, transformed for life.
Now, I realize that some of you are watching or listening to this and you might not know anything about Church of Christianity. You're totally new in your faith journey and Jesus and all these things. And you're maybe just exploring things right now. And I get it. You might be wondering, what does redemption mean anyway? If that's you, it's a valid question because we don't use this word redemption in our culture very much. It's not common.
In its simplest form, redemption is the action of saving or being saved. An expanded definition is the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment or clearing of a debt. Historically speaking, the action of buying one's freedom. Moving from the practical to the theological, redemption is a financial metaphor that literally means buying back, used theologically to indicate atonement, reconciliation, or salvation, wherein liberation from forms of bondage, such as sin, death, law, or evil, which takes place through Christ. But let's get a more specific definition, or let's expand on Paul's use of the word redemption. Theologian Leon Morris writes this, redemption not only looks back to Calvary and the cross of Christ, but forward to the freedom in which the ravines stand. Bible professor Donald Guthrie adds, redemption releases from the power of sin and releases forgiveness from its guilt. You see, at the cross, a redemptive exchange was made available to us, to you and I. The debt of our sin exchanged for the freedom of Christ.
Through faith in Jesus, all the shameful acts we've ever done or have ever been done to us are wiped from the record. Receiving redemption through Jesus means that we are found pure and we're welcomed into his eternal kingdom. Moving forward, what will you do with that information? What will you do with everything you just learned? I would suggest reflect on your life for a moment. Where are you burdened by past mistakes? What sins or struggles are weighing on your mind? I'd suggest really thinking deeply about that word redemption.
consider how accepting Christ's redemption could lead you to freedom from those burdens and transformation from those sins and struggles. There can be a temptation, I get it, to ignore and hide those areas of our life. We just don't want to see them, we don't want to look at them, we don't want to think about them. We're all human, which means we're all tempted to bury those burdens. The problem is, is that when we do that, we just kind of re-shackle ourselves.
We remain in bondage, and we're just left there waiting for freedom, waiting for a rescuer, waiting for a redeemer. Without embracing Christ's redemption, we continue to wander. We're unable to experience the full forgiveness and direction that he offers. In contrast, when we accept his transformative power, we can live a new life. We can be guided by his purpose, and we live under his grace and mercy. It's beautiful. Let's think back to our opening scene, where you were lost in the mountains. That's life without Jesus. Every direction, every turn seems uncertain.
You don't know what to do. You're either paralyzed with the anxiety of what the future might hold, the unknown, or you're wandering in the confusion of culture, hoping that maybe around the next corner, it'll bring you home and bring you hope. But it doesn't. Thankfully, that moment when you've humbly submitted that you're lost, our lone rescuer appears. Jesus Christ is your rescuer and he's your guide to safety and security. He steps into our lives to lead us in the direction of his kingdom. So,
Wherever you're at right now, maybe you're watching in your living room at home or you're on your phone in the lunchroom at work. Maybe you're listening on the radio as you're driving in your car. Maybe you're working out or going for a run or walk and you're listening to the podcast. Wherever you are right now, hearing my voice, watching me, I would like you to pause. Just stop. Stop everything and just in your heart and mind, give the next couple of minutes to Jesus. If you have to, pause the video, pause the audio if you have to. But in this moment, take the chance to quiet your heart and mind.
and reflect on your life and your faith journey. Maybe reflect on that word redemption. Are you afraid of what's next? Are you anxious about the decisions you have to make? Have you been chasing the next adventure or pleasure or relationship, hoping that maybe around the corner you'll find fulfillment? Are you lost in the darkness and fog of this world? Take today and submit your burdens, fears, and constant wandering to Jesus. Just tell him in this moment, say, Jesus, I need your redemption. Jesus, I need your forgiveness.
Jesus, I need you to transform my life. Jesus, I need you to renew my heart and mind. Jesus, I want to live in your eternal kingdom. So wherever you're at right now, pause, give him a few minutes, and then play the audio. We'll pray together, and then we'll go through the rest of our updates and discussion question. But if you're ready to pray now, let's pray. Dear Father, I thank you for the Colossian letter leading Paul to write to a church that was at the very beginning.
Father, I pray that we would look at these words and these concepts that through your son, Jesus, we obtain redemption. We're free. We're lost in the darkness. And then all of a sudden, a rescuer shows up, gives us hope and freedom, gives us purpose and meaning to live. Father, for whoever's out there thinking this, working through this process, asking these big questions, I ask in Jesus' name that you might reach them, that your spirit might show them the way, that they might be able to lay down all those things that are keeping them from living the life you've intended.
Help them submit to your will and your calling through the gospel of Jesus Christ. And for those of us that know you and are following you, I just pray that this Colossian letter, this series, and even today's message would just be a reminder. The things, the theological core concepts that we know, but that it would be a reminder of the truth that we stand on. Jesus, you are our rescuer. Jesus, you are our redeemer. And we thank you.
And it's in your name we pray. Amen. All right. We have a bunch of closing updates today. Lots of stuff to tell you what's going on here at Mountain View Church. So please don't go. We want you to stay in the loop. And after the closing updates, we'll have a discussion and prayer focus that you can either talk about now, think about, or just work through throughout the week.
All right, and if you have given your life to Jesus or you have a prayer request, please connect with us at mountainview.church slash connect, that web address again, or text connect to that number on the screen. We want to help you in your faith journey. We want to walk with you. We want you connected with our community, either online or in-house. However we can help you, please let us know. Reach out. All right, now we have an update for the young adults, ages 18 through 35. Here's Haley with that update.
Good morning, Church. My name is Haley. This is my husband, Alex, and we're excited to tell you about the next Young Adults event, a spring barbecue. If you're an adult age 35 or younger, this event is for you. Whether you're new to Mountain View or been attending for a while, we'd love for you to be out there. Okay, here are the details. The barbecue is next Sunday, June 9th, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Food will be provided, but bring a lawn chair if you have one, and it will be hosted at 6 Tiger Eye Crescent. And if you have any questions, you can send me an email at haley at mountainview.church. Hope to see you there.
All right, now let's talk youth ministry, specifically summer youth ministry for July and August. Our youth leaders are taking a break over the summer, but we still want to provide programming for our teenagers, both our middle school, junior high, and our high school, senior high. If you are able to cover one Sunday evening between 6 to 8 p.m. to hang out with youth, maybe do a craft, a game, an activity, give your story, how you met Jesus, maybe a little devotional, whatever you're willing to do, we would love to have you do that. We want to keep our youth ministry going through the summer, have it consistent for our teens. So whether you're able to do junior high or senior high, please let us know. You can email me, jeremy at mountainview.church. That's Jeremy.
at mountainview.church or click the connect link, whatever you want to do to get in touch with us and let us know you're willing to help. Next, we're going to talk about conferences, three conferences, one in Alaska and two right here in Whitehorse, Yukon. First, tagging on with our youth ministry update, we need two more chaperones, one male, one female adults for our Fusion Alaska Youth Conference trip where we drive from Whitehorse to Anchorage, 12-hour journey, but for an amazing conference for a few days where there's hundreds of youth from across the north and there's... praising Jesus, learning about the gospel, and having loads of fun together. And we want our students to go, but we need some more volunteers, two more chaperones. Please, please, if you're willing to take some time off and pour into lives of these students, it is very, very important. Please let us know. And next, for women, we have a conference that is coming to Whitehorse right here at Mountain View Church. Maybe some of you have heard of, if you've been in church a long time, 100 Huntley Street. Well, it's now called Crossroads, and there's a whole women's ministry wing, and they are coming to Whitehorse to do really the first...
kind of big event for Crossroads, and it's going to be the You Belong Women's Conference on September 20th. That's right, the You Belong Women's Conference on September 20th. And we're going to start opening up tickets here really shortly in the next week, so you can grab one of those. Also, if you're a woman that wants to be a part of the team to help put on the conference, we want a few women come together. There's going to be lots of things to do as we prepare and get ready. We would love to have you. So if you're a woman who wants to be involved, please let us know. You can email me, jeremy at mountainview.church, jeremy at mountainview.church. One of our staff members, Rachel, is already going to be leading things in one capacity, but we need your help. So let us know.
Next, this one is not until November 2nd. I know it's way ahead, but we were talking about conferences anyway, so I thought I'd better mention it, that we're also having a marriage conference called the Journey to Us Conference. Maybe you have, if you've been in church a while, you've heard of Focus on the Family. Well, Focus on the Family is coming to Whitehorse II this year, to Whitehorse II Mountain View Church, and they're going to host a conference here for couples or individuals that would like to attend. Both are welcome. And if you want to know more information, you can talk to me again.
jeremy at mountainview.church jeremy at mountainview.church if you want to know how to get involved to be on the team to help or or to set up all those different things are going to be needed or if you're just interested in getting tickets all of this is going to start to roll out in the next week or two both for the women's conference and the marriage conference you'll be able to get tickets early and there's early bird prices for both of those it should be amazing and so this is awesome these big organizations are coming to whitehorse really for the first time and uh they've chosen to host at mountain view which is a privilege and we want to just make sure to welcome them and help them as best we can so be a part of it we'd love to have you all right so last but not least we do not want you to hear content to hear a message and then just leave We want you to think about it. We want you to talk about it. We want you to pray about it. And so we always, at the end of every message, we give a discussion question or reflection, if you're on your own, and a prayer focus for this week. So ask the person beside you, the person you're with right now, or maybe text a friend, put a comment in the stream. Here's the question. Have you experienced Christ's redemption? If so, tell your story. Have you experienced Christ's redemption? If so...
Tell someone your story, all right? After you've talked about that, or maybe you've put a comment in the feed, texted a friend, whatever you want to do, pray. Pray with that person or pray alone for friends and family members to accept Christ's redemption and receive his forgiveness. Pray for the people in your life, your friends, family members, colleagues, coworkers, that they would accept Christ's redemption and receive forgiveness. Then you can invite them to watch online with you or listen or come to one of our in-house gatherings. We'd love to have you.
That's it for today. Thank you so much for joining us. Come back for part two of our Colossians series next week. And this week, let's continue to reflect on how we've been redeemed in Christ and transformed for new life. If you prayed to receive Jesus today or would like to connect with our church community, visit mountainview.church and click the connect link. If this podcast and radio ministry has been a blessing to you, please consider partnering with us or making a tax-deductible donation at mountainview.church.
Thanks for listening to Mountain View Church Audio. Join us next week for more Christ-centered teaching from the Wilderness City of Whitehorse, UConn.