Colossians: Prominent VS Preeminent

Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. 

There's a big difference between someone being prominent vs being preeminent. If you say something is in your top five that's prominent. But if I were to say that about my wife...well it wouldn't go so well for me. Preeminent, first, above all others. There's an eternal difference between Jesus being prominent in your life and being preeminent. In this sermon we'll look at Colossians 1:15-20 were the Apostle Paul teaches about the preeminence of Christ. Delivered to the Galena Bible Church, Sunday May 24th, 2015.

Colossians: Willing, Walking, and Knowing

Colossians 1:9-10  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.

Who was the church in Colosse? They were a mixed bag of ethnicity, religious upbringing, conservative, liberal, and struggling group of people who desperately wanted to follow Jesus. It sounds a whole lot like the church in Galena. Maybe yours too. Join us as we begin this study into the book of Colossians and begin to see what it means to have Christ be preeminent in our affections, actions, and thought.

Delivered to the Galena Bible Church by Pastor Chris Kopp, Sunday May 17th, 2015.

Jesus Questions: Do you love me?

John 21:15  When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" 

I can't imagine what the the disciples must have felt when Jesus died and then came back to them. The emotional roller coaster of sorrow, grief, joy, uncertainty, doubt must have been exhausting. In that environment Jesus lovingly calls Peter back to the time when Jesus called him as a disciple. He also called him back to a coal fire where Peter cursed him. To both these memories, Jesus asks "Do you love me?" Jesus reminds us that he called us when we've gone astray, but he also reminds us that he loves us at our most unlovable moment. He asks you today, "____________, Do you love me?"

Delivered to the Galena Bible Church, Sunday May 10th, 2015.

Jesus Quesions: Why do you call me good?

Mark 10:18  And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

Are you good? For most people this is a pretty easy questions for them to answer: "Of course I'm good." Isn't it interesting that our standard of goodness is always low enough that we manage to fit in it? Jesus' standard of goodness was God. I think we may need to raise our standard. 

Sermon delivered to the Galena Bible Church Sunday May 3rd, 2015.

What I Would Have Built For You

What would the playhouse have looked like, that you would have had from me. Was the trophy shelf big enough that I would have made, or the doll carriage fit for a queen? I would have sewn mittens, or carved a boat out of bark, but all I got to make for you is a jewel case the size of my heart. Your life it was precious. Ten weeks it was long. So suddenly you appeared to us and in that instant you were gone. A jewel case, a jewel case, until it all is new. You cannot build a thing with me, but I will come to you. 

Baby Kopp (4/27/15-4/27/15)

2 Samuel 12:23

Jesus Quesitons: What does it profit to gain the whole world?

There's a lot of "10 steps to a better you" books on the market today. So here's three steps to gain the whole world: 1. Never deny your pleasures, 2. Avoid all discomfort, 3. Follow your heart. (***Disclaimer: you will lose your soul following this***) What does Jesus mean when he says, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" The American dream continually leads us to believe that our life is all about us and our ability to have more. Yet Jesus stood in stark contrast to that reality. There was nothing that we could give in exchange for our soul. But God gave himself in exchange for our soul! Delivered by Pastor Chris Kopp to the Galena Bible Church, Sunday April 26th, 2015.

Jesus Quesitons: Do you not yet understand?

Mark 8:21  And he said to them, "Do you not yet understand?"

Jesus had a very hard question for his disciples that started with them arguing about who was supposed to bring some bread for lunch. Why did it escalate from the disciples discussing bread to Jesus asking them if they had hard hearts? Because the sin of hypocrisy sneaks into our lives is subtle ways and we end up hiding behind a mask of self reliance or religious practice, rather than pursuing Christ for who he is. In this sermon we look at Mark 8:11-21 and ask our self the question, "Do you not yet understand?"
Delivered to the Galena Bible Church, Sunday April 19th, 2015 by Pastor Chris Kopp.