The city of Colossae was 160 km inland from Ephesus and the Church at Colossae grew from the Church in Ephesus. The letter to the Colossians was written around 62 AD. Paul was at Ephesus for 2 years, where all the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. Paul, now in Rome as a prisoner, writes letters to churches and 2 personal letters to Philemon & Timothy. Epaphras & Philemon were from Colossae with Epaphras having a broad ministry in the region. Epaphras visits Paul and seeks his advice on new ideas coming into the church and establishing the truth of the gospel. Jesus + Nothing = Everything.

People usually come to faith through authentic relationships with others. We bring love, hope and grace into our communities, but firstly, we need to be captivated by the truth of God's love. God gives us courage to join His mission for the world. We are God's hands and feet. Jesus became flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood. The God of the universe broke into human history. Jesus visited towns, built relationships and invested in people's lives. This is a model for our mission work - being a loving neighbour. God calls us to connect with our neighbours wherever we are. Who is God calling you to reach out to, to be His hands and feet and show His love to?

Prayer is often thought of as formal, serious and academic, but Paul says, "Pray without ceasing". Depression, trauma or loneliness may cause us to lose hope. God is no less present in those moments. Prayer walks us through seasons of pain, sorrow, joy. Prayer is not part of the Christian life, it is the Christian life. Listen to God whisper into your heart and lift your eyes and hearts to God in moments of joy and sorrow.

As Christians, we have an obligation to get people to Jesus. The four men brought their paralysed friend to Jesus because they knew his need. They removed the barriers because whilst they couldn't get through the door, they saw the opportunity to go through the roof instead. We need to seek ways to break down barriers and bring the gospel to people that make sense culturally and socially. The church should think about ripping off roofs and breaking down barriers. Too often, we as the church build barriers that hinder people from hearing the gospel.

Spiritual warfare is recognising and standing against Satan's attacks. Jesus came to set us free from the captivity of sin. Bondage and condemnation go against His nature and everyone He encountered He freed. Spiritual warfare is about freedom. We need to stand up against this warfare and sometimes we need to fight. Spiritual warfare is not optional. The reason the Son of God came was to destroy Satan's work. Spiritual warfare also refines us, tests us and glorifies Jesus which glorifies the Father.